Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 August 2019 be confirmed.

No declarations of interest were received.

Graham Watts, Democratic and Elections Manager:

a)    presented a brief overview of the actions taken following implementation of the recommendations agreed by the Executive with regard to the Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee’s Scrutiny Review into Inclusive Growth

b)    invited members comments and questions on the review.

Members commented that they were pleased with the format of the update and it was a lot easier to compare the recommendations to the actions taken.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Graham Watts, Democratic and Elections Manager:

a)    presented a brief overview of the actions taken following implementation of the recommendations agreed by the Executive with regard to the Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee’s Scrutiny Review into the local impact of welfare reform

b)    invited members comments and questions.

RESOLVED that the content of the report be noted.

Graham Watts, Democratic and Elections Manager:

a)    provided the Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee with an opportunity to consider the final report of the Committee’s scrutiny review into social isolation, which set out draft recommendations based on evidence gathered and key outcomes highlighted as part of the review

b)    explained that on the 11 June 2019, the committee met and agreed to undertake a scrutiny review of social isolation in the City of Lincoln. This followed concerns expressed by members of the Committee that social isolation existed throughout the city, particularly in relation to the elderly, single parents and carers

c)    stated that the scope of the review was to investigate:

·         How prevalent social isolation actually was in Lincoln and why it was occurring;

·         What support was currently in place for people suffering from isolation

·         Whether the current support was sufficient to address the issue of social isolation

d)    invited a number of key representatives from a range of organisations that contributed to the review and provided evidence which was used to formulate draft recommendations

e)    highlighted some of the key points made by each representative taking into account the scoping of the review as set out in Appendix A of the report

f)     invited members comments and questions.

Question: If somebody wanted to attend any social groups but found it daunting attending alone, was there anything that could be done to help them?

Response: It was a huge challenge helping people to attend groups however with the nature of the groups that were available now, officers hoped that a more proactive approach would be taken to get people involved.

Members suggested whether getting involved in a Buddy Scheme would helping people become more involved in local groups.

Members highlighted that Social Isolation could affect anyone but generally it affected introverts. If a range of activities were available it would encourage more people to become involved and develop more interest.

RESOLVED that:

1)    conclusion 1 be amended to suggest that details of the Neighbourhood Boards be published in the Your Lincoln magazine

2)    conclusion 1 be amended to suggest that an update of the social groups within the city be listed on the City of Lincoln Council Website

3)    that the report be noted and referred to Executive and an update report on the key findings and conclusions of the scrutiny review be submitted to the Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee in 12 months.

Graham Watts, Democratic and Elections Manager, gave Members the opportunity to suggest any representatives that they felt would be useful to help the committee gather key information from in the next review of Integrated Communities. Members of the Committee suggested the following:

-       Wes Shelbourne (Just Lincolnshire)

-       Paul Carrick/Neighbourhood Boards

-       Jane Kilby (Student Union)

-       Faith Groups

-       Alive Church

Due to the General Election on 12 December it was agreed that the survey that was going out to residents would be delayed until the New Year.

Jess Cullen, Democratic Services Officer, presented the Scrutiny Annual Report and asked for Members’ questions and comments.

Jane Loffhagen, Chair of Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee took the opportunity to thank the previous Chair, Bob Bushell for all of his work on the reviews highlighted in the report and asked for his name to be added to the report alongside hers.

The Chair also gave members of the Committee the opportunity to confirm whether they felt that their views had been represented during the meeting

All members were in agreement and felt that their views were represented fairly.

Members commented that they were pleased that as part of the City Centre Masterplan the vibrancy of the city was being increased and a review of empty commercial units, particularly units above shops was taking place to ascertain whether there were any opportunities to convert them into residential use.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and forwarded to Full Council for approval.

Jess Cullen, Democratic Services Officer:

1. presented the draft work programme for 2019/20 as detailed at Appendix A of her report

2. advised that the work programme for the Community Leadership Committee was put forward annually for approval by Council; the work programme was then regularly updated throughout the year in consultation with the Community Leadership Committee and its Chair

3. reported that items had been scheduled in accordance with the existing work programme and officers’ guidance regarding the meetings at which the most up-to-date information could be reported to the committee; the work programme also included the list of portfolio holders under scrutiny

4. requested any relevant comments or suggestions to the proposed work programme for 2019/20.

RESOLVED that:

1)    The Community Survey would be distributed to Lincoln Residents in January 2020

2)    The work programme 2019/20 as detailed at Appendix A to the report be noted.