Issue - meetings

Meeting: 13/09/2021 - Cabinet (Item 9)

9 Community Board Annual Report and Update pdf icon PDF 618 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet received a report on the achievements of the Community Boards in their first year, 2020-21 and plans for the year 2021-22.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the achievements of the Community Boards in their first year (2020-21) and plans for the year 2021-22 be noted.

Minutes:

Councillor Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, introduced a report on the achievements of Community Boards in their first year (2020-21) and plans for the year 2021-22.  Community Boards had been launched as part of the unitary council in July 2020 and despite the challenges faced by the Covid pandemic they had made a great start at connecting with Buckinghamshire communities as the local face of the Council.

 

The 16 Community Boards were a brand new way of working as part of the new Council’s commitment to Localism, driving forward council and community priorities in a way that was right for that local area.  The Boards helped the Council to connect with community groups, partners and residents to understand what mattered to them and to then work together to problem solve.

 

As part of the review of the first year, an annual report has been produced to recognise and reflect on the achievements of the Community Boards in launching a new service, establishing themselves within their communities and supporting local initiatives. This review had also provided an opportunity to strengthen processes and ensure there was robust governance and transparency across processes and decision making.  The report also provided an update on what was on the horizon for Community Boards in 2021-22.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities had informed Members earlier in the meeting, during the ‘Hot Topics’ agenda item, on the variety of Community Board projects that had been approved to date, totally approximately £800K.  A number of Cabinet Members highlighted the issues that were being addressed in their own Community Board areas through Working Groups.  Members also asked that thanks be passed on to the Communities team for all the support that had been provided to Community Boards since April 2020.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the achievements of the Community Boards in their first year (2020-21) and plans for the year 2021-22 be noted.