Previous Reference: Minute 19 (2017/18)

At its meeting held on 28 September 2018, the Committee received a report on the Local Government Association Peer Challenge Review and asked for a progress report focussing on People Can and engagement.

The Chief Executive will present a report (Document “F”) which outlines some of the wide range of work undertaken in the last twelve months around the People Can approach and principles.

Recommended –

(1)  That the progress made to date be reviewed.

(2)  That additional activity to support delivery of the People Can approach be identified and proposed.

(3)  That ways in which Members can support or enhance People Can be recommended.

(David Cawthray – 01274 432569)

Previous Reference: Minute 19 (2017/18)

At its meeting held on 28 September 2018, the Committee had received a report on the Local Government Association Peer Challenge Review and had asked for a progress report focussing on People Can and engagement.

The Chief Executive presented a report (Document “F”) which outlined some of the wide range of work undertaken in the last twelve months around the People Can approach and principles.

The Assistant Director Transformation attended the meeting and made a detailed presentation in respect of People Can, highlighting that it helped the Council deliver services and that it was key not to smother the initiative with process and policy. He explained the change in co-ordination activity which had seen the Neighbourhood Service resume its role and drew to members’ attention examples of the activities which it was intended would be undertaken in future.

A member expressed concern that the development plan seemed not to include engagement with the public and stressed that this was a crucial element to the success of People Can across the District. An officer involved in the co-ordination of People Can agreed with that concern and stressed that recognising what people were already doing would inspire others to become involved.

Members also expressed concern that People Can should not be viewed as the Council being prescriptive and that opportunities to include small schemes such as winter gritting and community libraries in the People Can initiative were being missed. They considered it important that such small schemes be well supported. They also considered that the People Can website could be included on the Council app.

Members went on to stress that People Can was much more that litter picks and community clean ups and considered that the ward officer role could be better connected with the development of community projects.

In response, officers agreed that the website could be linked to the app and drew members’ attention to the fine balance between Council support and being prescriptive. The celebration of work other than community clean ups was already underway and an example of student awards was given to show this. The need for all departments to engage with People Can was stressed as was the need to make interaction between the Council and community groups much simpler.

The possibility of Council staff also being People Can participants was discussed as they comprised a large cross section of the wider community and it was agreed that a major objective going forward was better support for small groups as well as more recognition of the good work that was already underway.

A member expressed concern that the People Can initiative meant that groups which had been in operation for some time were now being subsumed within a project which had no meaning for them. He also expressed reservations that essential services may be left to volunteer groups to provide, especially in areas such as Early Help and Prevention.

He was advised that the ethos of People Can in such areas was not the replacement of professional services but was intended to enable independence among service users to enhance the services they received.

A member also asked about the best way to involve young people and youth groups and was advised that the Youth Service and stakeholder groups could be consulted for their views.   

Resolved –

(1)  That a report giving details relating to People Can projects and activities be presented to this Committee in six months time along with key outcomes for each project and activity.

(2)  That the report also include how the People Can activity is being co-ordinated across the Council.  

(3)  That officers be requested to look at community development as part of the core People Can Development Plan.

(4)  That officers be requested to explore the integration of the People Can website with the Council app.

ACTION: Chief Executive