Agenda item

To provide Members with feedback from the working group on 2021 SK Community Award and to share information on the lessons learned and plans for the SK Community Awards 2022.

 

The Senior Community Development Officer provided the Committee with a presentation that highlighted feedback from a working group that met on the 2 March 2022 to discuss lessons learnt from the Community Awards in 2021.

 

The lessons learned from the Community Awards in 2021 were outlined:

 

·       Early planning to ensure smooth process

·       Launching in Volunteers Week (1 to 7 June)

·       Dedicated web page on SKDC website

·       On-line nomination form

·       Clear criteria for eligibility of nominees

·       Six-week nomination period

·       Agreed criteria for judging of nominations received

·       Comms interaction with winners and positive PR.

 

Further options that were considered as part of the Community Awards 2021:

 

·       All nominees must operate within South Kesteven

·       Elected Members could not judge a group they were connected to or have personal interest in

·       Nominee must carry out voluntary service that benefits others within the community

·       Nominations could not be for individuals, groups or businesses that operate for personal gain

·       What made the nominee stand out.

 

Nominations were not considered that were:

 

·       Made in support of a lobbying group

·       Made in support of a political group/party

·       Made in relation to religious activities

·       Made relating to individuals or group that did not operate within South Kesteven for the benefit of those within the District.

 

Areas for improvement within the 2021 Community Awards related to:

 

·       Non-electronic nomination processes

·       Publicity needing to feature individuals nominated rather than representatives of SKDC

·       Too many similar categories and categories were chosen to match with Cabinet portfolios

·       Early distribution of certificates and publicity photographs of winners led to leaks to press and social media

·       More outlets needed for promotion of Awards to include under-reached communities.

 

It was confirmed that the public nomination categories had been changed for the 2022 Community Awards:

·       Business and the Community

·       Inspirational Young Person (nominees up to the age of 25)

·       Best School’s Green Project

·       Good Neighbour

·       Lifetime Community Champion

·       Health and Wellbeing

·       Neil Smith – Beyond the Call of Duty

 

It was confirmed that preparations were undergoing for the Community Awards which would be launched during Volunteers Week (1 – 7 June), with a celebratory event which will take place on the 21 October 2022 to honour the nominees and winners.

 

A query was raised on reason that hard-to-reach communities did not come forward for nominations or whether they were unaware of the Community Awards.

 

It was highlighted that the Council only work with the nominees that are provided by the public. The information was publicised, but the covid pandemic restricted the Council slightly, however, more work could be done in 2022.

 

It was suggested that Members could encourage the public to put forward nominations.

 

The Senior Community Development Officer had completed direct work with the Jubilee Church in Grantham due to being the recipients of support from local businesses that could have been nominated.

 

One Member suggested on separating one category into two: ‘Best School Project’ and ‘Environmental Project’.

 

Clarification was sought over the judging panel for 2022.

 

It was suggested that the judging panel would be a combination of elected members, officers, and previous winners of the Community Awards. The Council was also seeking sponsors for the event, who would be invited onto the panel.

 

It was noted that the possibility of Community Awards winners from 2021 judging for 2022 would allow a celebration for them, as well as deciding the winners for 2022.

 

The Senior Community Development Officer confirmed that all winners from 2021 were invited to the Chairman’s lunch.

 

A query was raised on whether a ‘runners-up certificate’ could be considered for the 2022 Community Awards.

 

It was confirmed that a ‘certificate of acknowledgement’ was sent to all nominees. The possibility of a ‘runners-up certificate’ would be worked on for the finalists.

 

ACTION:

 

For the Senior Community Development Officer to explore the Community Award categories and consider breaking down one category into two: ‘Best School Project’ and ‘Environmental Project’.

 

AGREED:

 

1. Present feedback from the working group on 2021 SK Community Awards and share information on the lessons learned

2. Allow Members to consider whether there are further actions required in relation to the plans for the SK Community Awards 2022 and accompanying celebratory event.

3. Enable Members to request routine progress updates for future Committee dates.