Decision - Community Development Strategy & Neighbourhood Governance

139.1    Councillor Duncan introduced the report which detailed the revised approach to the Council’s Community Development Strategy.  He stated that he was delighted to point out that there was no intention to reduce expenditure on community development and that it was intended to enable communities to have an input/influence over the decisions that affected them.

139.2    Councillor Mitchell noted that there had been a number of reports on the subject and stated that she felt that there was still some need of clarity in regard to how things would operate.  She also queried how groups or areas would be identified to become the pilots and who would provide the budget.

139.3    Councillor Duncan stated that there was a consultation process which was currently ongoing and it was hoped to bring a report to the March Cabinet meeting which would outline the results and the funding arrangements.

139.4    RESOLVED:

(1)         That the Community Development Strategy as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be endorsed;

(2)         That the importance of a corporate approach to the work be noted and that the Strategic Director: Communities, be requested to work with Commissioners and Heads of Delivery Units to deliver the approach;

(3)         That the Community Development Strategy be recognised as a key delivery mechanism of the City’s Community Engagement Framework;

(4)         That the clear relationship between community development and effective delivery of neighbourhood governance arrangements be recognised, and particularly that a whole city approach is essential be noted; and within that, that a clear emphasis be placed upon deprived neighbourhoods and communities of interest likely to be most marginalised or excluded; and

(5)         That the decision on the appointment of providers to meet the needs arising from the Community Development Strategy be delegated to the Strategic Director; Communities to deliver agreed programmes of work.