Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report outlining a set of principles to inform a review of the Gateshead Communities Together Strategy (the strategy).

The strategy was agreed by the Cabinet in May 2012 and sets out how partners work together to address: community engagement and participation; community capacity building; information and communication; involvement of children and young people, and; positive community relationships.

The report indicated that a review of the strategy, with a view to establishing principles to support the development of active citizenship, is timely.

There were concerns raised about the changing role of the Council within communities, as a direct consequence of continued reductions in resource.  It was commented that groups may take on the delivery of some services or the holding of some assets but their objectives and subsequent approaches may not align with those of the Council.

The point was made that early and detailed assessments need to be undertaken prior to groups taking on the responsibility of Council assets, to ensure asset transfers are sustainable in the long-term.

The Committee was supportive of the strategy but stressed that it must recognise and make clear the pressures which are acting on both the Council and organisations within the voluntary and community sector. It was commented that the strategy needs to be realistic and demonstrate that more support and resource is required within communities.