Issue - meetings

The Head of Community and Customer Services submitted a report updating Members about “Everyone Matters” – A Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) for East Herts 2009 – 2024 together with an Action/Delivery Plan. 

It was noted that the Action Plan contained 72 activities/projects within key themes which were set out in the Essential Reference Paper, attached to the report now submitted.  Members’ comments were sought on the proposed Action Plan which would be submitted to the Local Strategic Partnership Board, for further consideration. 

The Director of Customer and Community Services reminded Members that the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) was a partnership document, which had brought positive benefits to the people in East Herts. 

The Chairman referred Members to the Action Plan.  Members made the following comments:

·              Reduce levels of acquisitive crime in the district though joint working with partners and engagement with the community:

Councillors A D Dodd and S A Bull referred to the important role of public meetings like Community Voice in engaging with the public.  Councillor E Buckmaster stated that the Sawbridgeworth Community Voice was well supported.

·              Furniture Re-Use Project:

Councillor A D Dodd stated that a lot of furniture was not acceptable because it might not comply with fire regulations and it was important for the scheme to avoid getting ‘overloaded’ with items it could not use.

·              Village Hall Broadband Project:

Councillor E Buckmaster referred to a scheme operated by Swindon Council.  He undertook to provide the Director of Customer and Community Services with the information.

·              Apprenticeship opportunities:

The Chairman queried the Council’s role in providing apprenticeship opportunities.  The Director advised that the Council already had a trainee Personal Assistant, and an apprentice would shortly be commencing employment at Hertford Theatre.  The Director stated that the Council had written to its main contractors advising them of the benefits of using apprentices.  The Chairman asked whether it would be possible to establish whether these third parties had taken advantage of the Apprenticeship Scheme.  The Director of Customer and Community Services undertook to investigate and advise Members. 

·              Broxbourne Health Shuttle:

The Chairman referred to the Broxbourne Health Shuttle and the need to think about a similar scheme in other areas and referred to the use of a mini bus around Bishop’s Stortford so that residents could access hospitals.  It was acknowledged that some areas were not commercially viable to some mini-bus providers and that the community should step in to fill this gap.

·              Learning Partnership Target aimed at residents in Sele and Havers Estates:

The Chairman referred to the need to obtain up to date ward profiles.  The Scrutiny Officer advised that this was in hand and new ward profiles would be part of the information pack for every councillor elected in May. 

·              Working with Jobcentre Plus and their Contractors:

The Director of Customer and Community Services advised Members that the Jobcentre had been offered the use of office space in Charringtons House, but had not taken this up. 

·              Working with HCC to promote modal shift through better  ...  view the full minutes text for item 631