6 Community Powered Warwickshire update PDF 334 KB
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Minutes:
The item was introduced by Charles Barlow (Head of Community Partnerships), who reminded members the Council had been looking to embed a community powered approach since 2021 as it was believed communities were better placed to identify their priorities and how to deliver solutions to them. The report before members outlined the progress that had been made over the previous three years, as part of a longer-term strategy that would ultimately lead to cultural and procedural change.
Councillor Rob Tromans said the principle of community power was a good one and he fully supported it. He said he felt the language in the report could be worded more simply in places.
Responding to a question from Councillor Feeney regarding matched funding, Councillor Heather Timms said the Council worked with colleagues at the District and Borough Councils, particularly in areas where there was no town or parish council. Councillor Jo Barker said it was important schemes were not duplicated. She gave the example of a community supermarket potentially being set up in an area where there was already a Foodbank operating. Councillor Timms said checks were in place to make sure this did not happen. Responding to a point raised by Councillor Boad, Rob Powell said the Social Fabric Funding was available and targeted at the 22 most deprived Lower Super Output Areas in the county, which were in the bottom 20 per cent most deprived in England.
Responding to a question from Councillor Sinclair, Charles Barlow confirmed the views of the Voice of Warwickshire residents’ panel had been taken into consideration during the decision-making process. He accepted this could be referred to in the report.
In response to a question from Councillor Mejar Singh, Rob Powell said the £1million allocated to the Green Shoots fund had all been distributed to projects. There were no plans to provide additional funding through the scheme in the current financial climate.
Members noted the contents of the report.