Agenda item

To discuss with the Panel the work that has taken place working alongside the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in response to the pandemic;

To consider some of the outcomes, learning and challenges arising from the last six months, particularly with regards to the VCS going forward and assisting in system changes.

Contacts: Jill Greenfield - Service Director Customers and Communities

                Carl Whistlecraft - Head of Democracy and Place Based Working

The Panel received a report setting out details of the work that has taken place working alongside the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in response to the pandemic. The report considered some of the outcomes, learning and challenges arising from the last six months, particularly with regards to the VCS going forward and assisting in system changes.

The report highlighted the following areas in detail:

·         The community response to Covid-19;

·         Capacity of voluntary organisations within the community;

·         How such capacity and sustainability or viability has been impacted by Covid-19;

·           The ways in which the experiences of the last six months have begun to influence what happens next.

Colleagues from Third Sector Leaders and the anchor organisations were in attendance to input directly into the discussion and provide their unique perspectives.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic a co-ordinated community emergency response (CER) for the Kirklees District was established on 19 March 2020.  This rapid response saw the mobilisation of partners and services from across the council, councillors, the wider system, voluntary and community groups and individual volunteers. The CER system was primarily about ensuring that citizens of Kirklees were kept safe and well and protected from Covid-19. National government guidelines were being issued daily and as the country went into lockdown the CER focused on protecting the most vulnerable with basic essentials to keep people safe and protect life, such as food, medicines, and other essential items.

With regard to statistical data it was reported that a total number of 3,725 requests for help have been received into the council between 25 March and 23 September 2020. Of these, 30% were from people aged 70 years or over. The highest number of requests came from people in the Newsome ward (277), followed by Cleckheaton (266). The ward with the highest rate of requests was Cleckheaton (15.4 requests per 1,000). The most common type of support requested by people aged 70+ years was shopping (who can afford to pay for essential items) and for people aged 18-49 years it was shopping (who cannot afford to pay for essential items).

In order to meet the challenges at a ward level, it was reported that a decision was taken to increase ward member budgets from £20k to £50k per ward. Flexible and adapted guidelines were put in place for existing grant programmes to meet the Covid-19 response and uplifted funding for foodbanks to cover their surplus spend. 

With regard to the issue of food and welfare it was highlighted that provision has been a critical aspect of the community response with existing and new food banks supporting thousands of individuals. It was reported that approximately sixty food banks are now operating across Kirklees with the three main foodbanks seeing an increased take up of a third from the same period last year.

Paul Bridges, CEO of Huddersfield Mission, Andy Petrie, CEO of Local Services 2 You, and Val Johnson, representing Third Sector Leaders were invited to give their perspective in respect of the community response to Covid. All commented on the positive approach to partnership working that had provided a platform to further build on relationships and developing cultures. Funding, capacity and sustainability remain key issues for the sector going forward.

Questions and comments were invited from Panel Members and the following issues were raised:

• In response to a question concerning Community Buildings, Councillor Walker acknowledged the need for the Council to retain a supportive role as they are vital assets. Councillor Taylor suggested the need for business plans around community asset transfers to be revisited in light of the effects of the pandemic.
• With regard to track and trace  support payments, Jill Greenfield, Service Director Customer and Communities, undertook to take back the issue of communications and sharing information with Elected Members
• Members raised the opportunities available for the Council to identify new volunteers and potentially keep a register of active citizens.
• With regard to inequalities, the Panel noted the work with community organisations and acknowledged that ethnicity was not the only factor contributing to inequality with regard to the pandemic.
• The Chair commented on the challenges faced by community organisations in relation to capacity, income generation and community buildings and suggested that future scrutiny be undertaken in respect of moving forward with the community anchor model to ensure the medium and long term stability of community organisations.

RESOLVED –

The Panel noted the positive ongoing work undertaken by the Council and community organisation in response to the Covid 19 pandemic.