Agenda item

·         Councillor Samia Haq confirmed that she and Dave Gill had a pre-meeting to discuss the opportunity to take the Community Hub forwards with the CEF. Dave confirmed he would look at what resource (people) could be put into the new Community Hub. Decision on whether the Hub will be a physical Office or virtual TBC. Aim to create one overarching group.

·         Philippa went through Dave Gill’s Community Hub graph and explained the proposed groups/people we can engage with, and areas of work and structured approach. She confirmed some larger councils have moved from a basic council hub to stronger engaged Community Hub with a vision. Currently gathering information and learning from other LA’s.

Councillor John Boyce stated:

·         Community spirit in Oadby and Wigston is strong.

·         The future is complicated and significant change is likely.

·         We have no idea how long the borough as a ‘borough’ will exist.

·         The next 18 months will be a challenge financially.

·         Resource (people) is strong and we need to build on this.

·         The Council resource and structure will need to be reviewed, and identify what we do and do not do.

·         It could mean we change the way the Officer or Council is set up.

Councillor Jeffrey Kaufman

·         Has concerns about those who do not have access to social media. Requested that Letterbox is brought back.

·         Also concerned about what resource we will have to run the Community Hub going forwards.

General comments/feedback:

·         Need to get young people involved.

·         Libraries have gone through a restructure – it now supports Community ‘managed’ libraries so fits well with the Hub agenda. They have funding from the Better Care fund, looking at supporting volunteering and helping people with social interaction and heritage.

·         Query on how the hub will go forwards, practically.

·         Food banks – grants would be helpful and to communicate better.

·         Be mindful of the three distinct Town Centres/communities.

·         Help isolated people/ lots of fake news around – people coming off social media.

·         Lots of WhatsApp groups (some by individual roads) – need to pull these together.

·         Some people have still not heard about the Community Hub. Need improved communications.

·         Important not to duplicate work, as various work streams are taking place.

·         Health Watch’s feedback from users was about digital exclusion/ language barriers therefore need to look at difference communication methods.

·         One person on a street could share social media posts to those who do not have access to the internet.

·         Use of local radio.

·         Keep other services updated so they can signpost back into services.

·         Community spirit on own streets.

Avril Lennox:

·         Thanked everyone for their valuable contribution.

·         It is clear there are a lot of local groups out there including WhatsApp groups, some of which we are still not aware of, therefore a mapping exercise would be helpful to better understand what we collectively have in place.

·         Important to ensure we don’t duplicate work.

·         Need to better communicate the Community Hub offer.

·         Some people turning away from social media, or are not on social media – therefore volunteer Champions within streets/locations could help to share. Info/engage with communities.  

Philippa Fisher introduced the community hub concept accompanied by a diagram. The diagram visually explained the community hub concept. Key points and observations arising from the discussion of this item are as follows:

·         The community hub arose out of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Hub engages with clients, volunteers and volunteer groups. The concept of the community hub is to develop and strengthen community cohesion to increase the breadth and depth of citizen participation.

·         The attached diagram shared at this meeting outlined potential names for the hub concept. No official hub name has been agreed.

·         The community hub concept has been discussed with the Chair, leader of the Council and the Council’s Senior Leadership Team. The focus of this discussion was about how to take the community hub concept forward for future development.

·         There is a significant amount of change coming to the Borough and it is necessary to think how the community hub concept can be developed inclusive of local community strength and spirit.

·         Staff involvement in developing the Community Hub was recognised. Concern was expressed that Council staff continue to be engaged in the development of the hub concept.

·         Local Council resources and structuring of the community hub is needed and at an early stage. It may be necessary to move such resources to make things happen.

·         Other district councils in Leicestershire are moving to development of a similar vision.

·         The community hub needs to be a space which shares best practice and fosters a culture of community self- help.

·         It will need to be worked out how the community hub supports groups and how groups support others.

·         The Community Hub continues to provide help for isolated people in the borough.

Action:

The Chair, requested Philippa Fisher and Avril Lennox share the comments with the Democratic Services lead officer, to help take forwards the development of the community hub.