Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport.

The report updates members on impact of work undertaken to achieve the ambitions set out in our Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector Strategy, in the 12 months from April 2023 to March 2024.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the achievements outlined in this report and provide comment and feedback on the future priorities described in the report.

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees on 07989 208 640 or email kathryn.rees@stockport.gov.uk and Holly Rae on 07800 617 550 or email holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Executive Director for Corporate and Support Services  submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating members on the impact of work undertaken to achieve the ambitions set out in our Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector Strategy, in the 12 months from April 2023 to March 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport (Councillor Frankie Singleton) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised: -

·       The purpose of Equity Networks was to gain an understanding of equality issues which intersect across more than one area of work. The networks also provided an opportunity for different networks to work together. Officers had been assigned to work with Equity Networks in order to share learning and to support and facilitate relationships.

·       The Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme had tailored its equality provision depending on the community, for example some areas had concentrated provision on financial inclusion in response to poverty in those areas.

·       A review of the race equality framework would be undertaken in light of the events of the summer. It was an opportunity to consider community cohesion.

·       In relation to those incidents which had taken place over the summer, there was a need to ensure that the community felt safe. Members requested an update on the Community Cohesion Group would be brought to a future meeting of this Scrutiny Committee with a focus on actions and governance arrangements.

·       Team Around the Place (TAP) Captains were aligned with neighbourhoods to provide a familiar face to service users and focus on local priorities. They also provided the council with intelligence and insight in order to inform service design.

·       An update on the Neighbourhood and Prevention service would be brought to forthcoming area committee meetings, followed by drop-in sessions for councillors.

·       TAP Captains belonged to other organisations within the borough such as Pure Innovation, the NHS and Stockport Homes.

·       Household Support Grants had been extended; a request for an update on the longer term position of those grants was requested.

·       The Match My Project scheme was progressing well and plans were being developed to create more opportunities for collaboration with local businesses.

·       The Greater Manchester Standing Together Grant was an annual grant, although its continuation would be reviewed.

·       Members suggested that there might be scope for some of the networks, for example the Equality Network to work with schools; officers welcomed that suggestion and agreed to take it forward. It was also reported that in the past 12 months equality work had been undertaken with the Youth Alliance network.

·       Members requested that the new Chief Superintendent for Stockport be invited to this Scrutiny Committee.

·       Members welcomed the introduction of networks within physical spaces, such as the One Space Hub in Merseyway and commented on the value added when organisations shared spaces. It was reported that the council was exploring more opportunities for physical collaborative working, for example elements of the Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme and Sector 3 would be based at Merseyway. Other opportunities across the wider borough were also being considered.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.