Agenda item

(a)       That the Committee supports the development of the Community Resilience Action Plan; and

(b)       That officers be thanked for the detailed work undertaken to produce the report.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced the report to update Members on progress with key areas of work in relation to the Resilient Communities priority which was part of the ‘Connected Council’ theme in the Council Plan.  Responsibility for this was now part of the Chief Officer’s portfolio following the departure of Ian Bancroft.

The growth of the social sector through social enterprise development and the success of Community Asset Transfers (CATs) and Alternative Delivery Models (ADMs) was important in helping communities to become more resilient and self-sufficient.  An overview was given of the six themes of Community Resilience on which actions were set out in the Flintshire Public Services Board (PSB) Well-being Delivery Plan 2018-23.

The Committee was introduced to Cher Lewney, the Programme Delivery Manager - Digital Customer & Community Resilience, who circulated presentation slides detailing the key principles and actions for each theme.  These would be supported by the development of evaluation frameworks to help manage the delivery of community resilience across the County.

Emma Blacklock, the Senior Family Support Lead, provided an update on progress with area-based activities at The Holway which enabled the Council and its partners to engage with residents and obtain views on potential improvements to their estates.  A further event was planned for the end of the month to link to the ‘Big Dee Day’.

The Senior Manager (Children & Workforce) shared information on the development of the Leadership Programme which was in the early stages of testing.  This was aimed at individuals working with communities to support public sector organisations in delivering change successfully.

In response to a query by Councillor Hutchinson on area-based work, the Chief Officer explained that the three areas had been selected based on work previously started and that other areas would be open to consideration over time.  Whilst some of the themes were led by the Council, others were the responsibility of partners such as Glyndwr University and Public Health Wales.

In highlighting Community Resilience as a key element of the Council Plan, Councillor Aaron Shotton said there were some excellent examples of CATs.  He referred to the Well-Being Delivery Plan as a useful template in giving assurance on the work being undertaken to benefit the whole of the County.

The Chairman was in agreement and described the Plan as a useful tool to monitor progress.

Councillor Paul Shotton praised the Holiday Hunger programme and welcomed the development of food hubs to tackle food poverty.  In response to comments on the importance of links with Health, the Senior Family Support Lead referred to the promotion of health screening at community events.

The Programme Delivery Manager advised that Council officers were engaging with Health representatives to discuss joined-up services and signposting to other types of support such as community-based activity programmes.

In response to a question from Councillor Tudor Jones about the programme in the Holway, it was explained that all 406 properties had received information encouraging residents to participate in the activities.

Councillor Mullin also remarked on the success of the Holiday Hunger programme.  Councillor Williams commented that the scheme had first been introduced in Buckley in 2016.

Councillor Aaron Shotton said it was important to acknowledge that the objective of the scheme was to provide affordable, healthy meals for children - as recognised in the article by The Guardian.  The next step was to escalate work through the establishment of community food hubs.

Councillor Christine Jones added that the food poverty theme encompassed all groups including those who were elderly or single parents, and that steady progress was being made across Flintshire.

The Chief Officer referred to the presentation slides which reflected specific outcomes and next steps, in recognition that this was ‘work in progress’.

Councillor Collett spoke about the range of activities available at the Daniel Owen Centre to tackle loneliness.

Councillor Wisinger praised the level of detail in the report and asked that the Committee’s appreciation be noted.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee supports the development of the Community Resilience Action Plan; and

(b)       That officers be thanked for the detailed work undertaken to produce the report.