Agenda and minutes

None.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question, or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Committee.

Rob Collier spoke to the Committee about helping to promote and encourage active travel. He highlighted a “bike bus” initiative which he had been instrumental is setting up to encourage children attending North Worcester Primary School to cycle. He summarized the scheme and invited the Committee to consider what more the City Council could do to support children walking and cycling to school. He was willing to help to set up similar schemes in other schools and invited Members to contact him direct if they wish to discuss this with him. The Chair thanked him for his comments and stated that she would share details of the bike bus scheme with Officers.

Of the meeting held on 21^st March 2022 to be approved and signed.

With reference to minute 41 (Access-able Contract), the Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities highlighted a number of developments since the last meeting, including updating some of the Guides. Officers will work with the Council’s Communications Team to publicise the scheme.

With reference to minute 43 (Proposed Committee Performance Scorecard for 2022/23) the Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities explained that the quarter 1 performance report will be presented to the July meeting of this Committee. The content will be shared with the Chair and Vice-Chair in advance of publication.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st March 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That the Committee:

1.     Notes the contents of this report, and in particular the completion of the Worcester City Child Poverty Joint Strategic Needs Assessment by Worcestershire County Council’s Public Health Service, attached at Appendix 1; and

2.     Note that a further update report will be presented to this Committee in January 2023.

The Committee considered a six-monthly update on progress against the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group and the work that is planned during 2022/2023. The Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities presented the report and summarised the main points in relation to each of the recommendations.

The report emphasised the need for partnership working and highlighted the role of the newly formed Worcester City District Collaborative Group. Reference was also made to the recently established Cost of Living Crisis Task and Finish Group and the forthcoming Worcester City ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ Conference. It was anticipated that a plan for utilising the £50,000 corporate funding allocated by the Council to address food poverty will be developed during July, working in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee and Group Leaders, using Managing Director’s Urgency Powers to approve such plans and associated expenditure in consultation with those Members referred to above.

The Corporate Director responded to questions and comments from Committee Members on various aspects of the report.

The Chair acknowledged the amount of work being undertaken by Officers to take forward the recommendations, and also the work of community organisations and volunteers that support the delivery of the many initiatives referred to in the report.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note:

1.    the contents of this report, and in particular the completion of the Worcester City Child Poverty Joint Strategic Needs Assessment by Worcestershire County Council’s Public Health Service, attached at Appendix 1; and

2.    that a further update report will be presented to this Committee in January 2023.

That the Committee:

1.   Note the contents of this report and in particular the progress made in respect of the strategy, and the national move towards ‘living with COVID-19;’ and

2.   Note the intention to discontinue the strategy in recognition of the ongoing work that continues to be carried out across priority areas.

The Committee considered an update report on progress against the 9 priority areas of the Strategy. The Head of Homes and Communities presented the report and summarised the main points.

It was explained that it is intended to discontinue a stand-alone Recovery Strategy and to undertake this work as business as usual through existing workstreams, multi-agency partnership working and existing and emerging oversight arrangements.

Officers responded to questions and comments from Committee Members on various aspects of the report.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

·         Reference was made to a question asked at the March Council meeting about whether it is possible for the Council to offer free lateral flow tests to Worcester residents, as the Leader had offered look into this. The Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities stated that he would follow this up and provide a response in writing.

·         The Chair made reference to Worcestershire County Council’s Household Support Fund and expressed her concern that the County Council will only be providing meal vouchers for the first two weeks of the school summer holiday.

·         There was a discussion about the provision and removal of carpets by registered social landlords when a tenancy changes. Members were advised that each provider is likely to have its own policy, but Officers can investigate and provide a written response.

In conclusion, the Chair highlighted that ongoing monitoring of Community Recovery Strategy Priorities will in future fall within the remit of various different Committees, with Domestic Abuse and Shielding & Vulnerable Population both coming under this Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note:

1.     the contents of this report and in particular the progress made in  respect of the strategy, and the national move towards ‘living with COVID-19;’ and

2.  the intention to discontinue the strategy in recognition of the ongoing work that continues to be carried out across priority areas.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

The Chair referred to the comments made under public participation and during the meeting with regard to Active Travel. She highlighted this Committee’s achievement in successfully making the case to establish an Active Travel Officer post. The job description and role profile were still in development. It will fall to this Committee to consider other aspects of the wider active travel agenda with which the City Council is involved.