Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

To consider a recommendation made by the Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee that the draft Community Engagement and Development Strategy – Our People, Our Place (2024 – 2027) be formally adopted along with its accompanying draft Action Plan.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the adoption of the Community Engagement and Development Strategy (2024 to 2027) to underpin the corporate priority of Connecting Communities.

2.    Endorses a six-monthly update is provided to Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee detailing progress and delivery of the Action Plan which accompanies the Community Engagement and Development Strategy.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Within its Corporate Plan, the Council had set out its ambition for connecting communities. The development of this strategy contributed strongly to this ambition. Therefore, the other options were discounted.

Reasons for decision

At the meeting of Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 16 March 2023, Members considered a report outlining a proposal to develop a Community Engagement and Development Strategy. Members of the Committee endorsed the commencement of the community consultation and the subsequent development of a strategy for the District.  At its meeting of 14 December 2023, Members of Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee were presented with a further report detailing the work undertaken to develop the draft Community Engagement and Development Strategy – Our People, Our Place and its Action Plan. Following debate, a recommendation to Cabinet was made that the Strategy should be formally adopted.

Members of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee have agreed to receive six monthly updates on the progress and delivery of the Action Plan contained within the draft Cultural Strategy.

The following points were highlighted during debate:

·       Effective community engagement through consultation allowed the Council to tap into expertise of the residents, as well as highlighting challenges and opportunities within the district for different groups.

·       It was essential to work closely with communities through consultation and engagement.