Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared.

The minutes of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4) meeting held on 23^rd July 2014 were signed as a true record.  There were no matters arising.

Briefing Note and Presentation of the Chief Executive

The Scrutiny Board received a briefing note and presentation of the Director of Public Health to consult on emerging plans to develop asset based working in Coventry. 

Members were split into small groups and asked to feed back on the following topics –

1.  How can we work differently with local people?

2.  How can we work with elected members to take this forward?

3.  How can we build on and work with elected members’ skills and knowledge as community leaders?

The key themes that emerged from the workshop included promoting better use of community facilities to support older people, capitalising on local groups such as Friend of Parks, exploring how social media could support this work and encouraging people to support new neighbours.

Members also supported an incentive to encourage communities to keep their neighbourhoods clean by creating a “cleanest street” competition.

Scrutiny Board Members discussed the volume of community groups in Coventry and the difficulty with knowing who to contact.  Members noted that the Cabinet Member (Community Development, Co-operatives and Social Enterprise) had recently approved for the development of a Community Directory/Single Point of Access in Coventry, which would enable this information to be kept in one place.

The Scrutiny Board discussed methods of engaging with the community and emphasised the pivotal role that elected members had in working with local communities and community groups in supporting residents to do more for themselves, both individually and collectively.

RESOLVED, that the Scrutiny Board noted the contents of the paper and their comments would be used to inform the development of a strategy and work programme for Asset Based Working in Coventry.  

Briefing Note of Councillor Lancaster, Cabinet Member (Public Services)

The Scrutiny Board considered a report on the work of the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee over the last twelve months and information on attendance by the City Council’s representatives.

RESOLVED, that the Scrutiny Board noted the content of the report and that the Council continues to appoint to this body.

To review the Board’s Work Programme 2014-15

The Scrutiny Board noted the contents of the work programme and noted that the Public Toilet Review would be considered as part of the overall review of city-wide facilities.

The Scrutiny Board evaluated the meeting and their comments would be used to ensure the continued efficiency and effectiveness of future meetings.

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no additional items of public business.