Agenda item - Presentation(s) - University of Sussex -Work in the Community

Before proceeding to the formal business of the meeting there will be a short presentation by representatives on behalf of “Sussex University” in the community which will outline:

- Ambassadors and how they have impacted on the community (including befriending); and

- Street Marshalls and how that is working.

Following the presentation Members will have the opportunity to ask questions following which there will be a short break before proceeding to the main business of the agenda.

3.1       Before proceeding to the formal business the Chair, Councillor Daniel, welcomed Dean Spears, Head of University Housing Services and Lenny Rolles, Head of Public Affairs from the University of Sussex and invited them to outline the University’s work in the community in respect of:

            Ambassadors and how their work has impacted on the community (including befriending); and

            Street Marshalls

3.2       It was explained that there was a four point strategy to the University’s community engagement approach namely, to resolve enquiries from residents and partners, fund four large-scale community clean ups, to fund Community Ambassadors who contacted 7,000 households at the door step and funding a late-night Street Marshalling Scheme to help students to get home safely at night. There were 21 Student Ambassadors, in 3 Wards surrounding the campus, they knocked doors and engaged in dialogue with local residents and provided signposting to housing advice, City Council services, local events, community groups and volunteering opportunities with the intention of bridging the gap between students and residents. Community Ambassadors attending residents group meetings with officers and provided feedback on what they had learned from chatting to residents.

3.3       The ethos behind Street Marshalling and how it operated in concert with the Police and other partners was also outlined. Beacon Security Services had been contracted by the University to provide mixed gender patrols with community safety accreditation and operated three nights per week, Wednesday - Friday from 10.00pm-4.00am in Hanover and Elm Grove, the Lewes Road Area and Coldean and Moulsecoomb. Patrols were focused on main streets and night bus routes offering advice to students and residents. The Marshals had had 365 encounters during their initial period of operation involving people walking alone or in groups, not just students. This work had involved chatting to individuals/groups and advising them on getting home safely, reminding those moving through the city about their noise levels and providing basic first aid to members of the public. The Street Wise team had also alerted the emergency services on a number of occasions.

3.4       Following the presentation Members had the opportunity to ask questions.

3.5       RESOLVED – That the content of the presentation be received and noted.