Issue - meetings

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities which provided an annual report on the Community Development Service for the period up to 31^st March 2011.

            It was reported that Community Development supported the creation, development and sustainability of independent local community groups. This generated the capacity for effective and inclusive community engagement with Council departments and services thus enabling the delivery of many hundreds of community initiatives to tackle strategic objectives and community needs. It was noted that the Community Development team had both a strategic and neighbourhood role in co-ordinating partnership support to respond to community concerns and create cohesive neighbourhoods which were participative and vibrant with a strong sense of community connectedness.

            It was further noted that locality working was introduced to the service in April 2010 linked to the expiry of neighbourhood management initiative. This mechanism involved Community Development supporting an increased role for partners and community involvement in the Area Forums.

            The report set out details of the Community Development Team, the budget for Community Development, details of performance framework, grass roots delivery and information for each Area Forum of projects that had been carried out. The report also set out details of starter grants and Community Development grants, Voluntary Youth grants and total expenditure to date.

            It was further reported that successful intergenerational projects had been carried out. The Team were looking to further develop community services and were hosting a learning exchange seminar in March 2012.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.