Agenda and minutes

To welcome and introduce any guests to the working group.

Apologies were received from Councillor Lavelle. All attendees had been present at the previous meeting.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 May 2021 were approved as a correct record.

To consider ‘what is an asset based community development model’ (verbal).

Clive Emmett outlined the Asset Based Community Development’s (ABCD) premise in that communities could drive the development process themselves by identifying and mobilising and energising existing, but often unrecognised assets. He said that this approach had been driven by Nurture Development.

The Communities Health and Wellbeing Manager said that this ABCD approach involved consulting with residents as well as reviewing the use of buildings. She suggested that it would then be easier to take a step back afterwards following the review.

Councillor Coote said that he supported the principles of UDC passing responsibility to third tier councils and community groups.

Councillor Khan outlined the current arrangements at Stansted where the Day Centre model had been transformed with the support of Touchpoint. He said that the idea of “re-imagining the service” had been taken forward to place Stansted ahead of the game. He said that he would be happy to provide further information.

The Communities Health and Wellbeing Manager supported the line that had been adopted at Stansted with Touchpoint involvement in order to reach out to the community.

Councillor Tayler referred to the position in respect of the Thaxted Day Centre. He said that he considered that the ABCD approach had taken place previously with the community coming forward with many good ideas. He said this had been successful up until the last two years and that what was now needed was a robust model for management of the facility.

The Chair said there was a need to move on; he said that the day centres at Stansted, Dunmow and Thaxted were almost functional and that they were better being handled locally by a few employees and volunteers without any direct UDC staff.

Councillor Khan said that at Stansted staff were employed through Touchpoint, which was locally based and could look to replicate good practice.

Clive Emmett summarised the arrangements in place between CVS Uttlesford and Touchpoint and offered to provide similar support to Thaxted if requested. He said that the energy available in Thaxted could be utilised to produce a sustainable model.

The Communities Health and Wellbeing Manager explained the situation at the Rowena Davey Centre in Dunmow and supported involving organisations the likes of Touchpoint in giving things back to the community.

The Chair said that it was important that any outcomes survived any changes of administration in UDC.

In response to a question from Councillor Coote, Clive Emmett clarified that CIC’s were businesses with social consciences and CIO’s were charities which could exist with minimal funding and were managed through volunteers.

The Chair said that he had made clear to the Director – Finance and Corporate Services that any models needed financial support in real terms. He said that £94.5k was ring-fenced and that he would look to ensuring that some available funds were released and that he saw Stansted as the first area for progression.

The Communities Health and Wellbeing Manager agreed to contact Touchpoint to ask if their project details could be released to members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To conisder the draft timeline and delivery plan (verbal).

The Senior Health Improvement Officer had earlier shared his draft timeline and delivery plan with the meeting and agreed to circulate the document to members.

To consider the next steps for the review (verbal).

Clive Emmett indicated that he would be happy to provide support to Councillor Tayler and any colleagues in Thaxted in the same way as support had been provided elsewhere by CVS Uttlesford and Touchpoint. He agreed with Councillor Khan that fundamental first-base principles should be put in place, through the involvement of the UDC officers.

It was recognised that each of the four day centres were in a different position and should therefore be looked at individually rather than as a group.

Councillor Day said that the informal message being given was of a need to get day centres re-opened.

The Director – Public Services apologised for his late arrival at the meeting. He highlighted that from a governance perspective, although there might have been some informal discussions within the Joint Executive Team, there was currently no item on the Cabinet agenda to consider day centres. However, he recognised the view of the Chair that an Executive decision could be taken by the Leader.

The meeting ended at 8.05 pm.