Agenda item

To receive an update report on the Local Community Networks.

Members noted an update received on the first round of Local Community Network meetings including initial lessons learnt and emerging themes of importance to the communities. The committee supported the LCNs but hoped that staffing and budgets for the LCNs be agreed as a priority to enable enthusiasm to continue for these groups.

The committee received an update on the Local Community Networks that were just about to complete the first round of meetings.

Sara Skirton and Cllr Val Keitch attended the meeting and explained that the progression of the LCNs was going well, themes were being agreed and work being generated for the following meetings. Councillor Keitch confirmed that the meetings had been well attended and engagement with the Towns and Parishes was immense. It was also confirmed that staffing was an issue with staff still to be appointed to the team, however job descriptions were now available and recruitment process was underway subject to budget agreement, it is hoped that staff from Communities would be repurposed.

The committee supported the LCNs and what has been achieved so far, however they did warn of ensuring that staffing be sorted quickly to enable support be given to the LCNs and so maintain enthusiasm.

Resolved:

To note the update received on the first round of Local Community Network meetings including initial lessons learnt and emerging themes of importance to the communities. The committee supported the LCNs but hoped that staffing and budgets for the LCNs be agreed as a priority to enable enthusiasm to continue for these groups.