Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive of Castle Cavendish

Dave Brennan, Chief Executive, and Van Henry, Area Partnerships Manager, both from Castle Cavendish which is the ‘Lead Organisation’ for Area 7, presented the report which was accompanied by a summary presentation.

The report provides details on the Area Based Grant Programme activity so far this year, identifies the activities provided by delivery partners, the budget for each section of the programme, and attendance/engagement statistics and targets for each area of work.

The following points were highlighted:

(i)  the anticipated budget for next year’s work in the region of £34,000 which needs to be stretched as far as possible to benefit the community in the area;

(ii)  Castle Cavendish welcomes the view of Community Representatives on what are considered to be priority issues in the area;

(iii)  not all of the required focus activities have been delivered by Castle Cavendish, for instance there is already comprehensive employment and skills support in place within the area so duplication of this work would not be efficient;

(iv)  some of the venues used to host activities are near or over the Ward boundaries but their use is justified due to the level of attendance/engagement of citizens within the area;

(v)  with reference to Inspector Wilson’s comments, following a knife crime incident on Wollaton Vale and a general increase in ASB in that neighbourhood, further resources were focused on youth engagement, both in the community and by additional sessions provided by the Pythian Club, to redirect attention and diffuse the situation. It is noted that the particular young people believed to be involved in the unrest had regularly attended local activities, but these had been paused due to the venue requiring several months of building work, and so the momentum of the group’s work had been reduced.

The Committee’s questions were responded to as follows:

(a)  whilst there are three main sections of work, there is the opportunity for local voluntary and community groups to apply for grant funding for specific activities or work. Further information can be found on the Castle Cavendish website (https://www.castlecavendish.org.uk/what-we-do/community-support/funding/). With regard to the Wollaton Festival, there is potential to engage young people and citizens who may not otherwise be involved and it would be beneficial to encourage  non-physical activities;

(b)  isolation and loneliness within the senior community is a rapidly rising local priority which existing groups will be encouraged to assist in addressing. The members of the Pythian (Youth) Club have recognised the need for action and are investigating providing a luncheon club for older citizens.

Members of the Committee commented:

(c)  the Boxing Club is a welcomed and valued by Councillors and the young people involved;

(d)  there is a lot achieved  in the Area for a small amount of funding;

(e)  it should be noted that the City Council also operates activities and events City Wide which are complimented by some of the services provided through the Lead Organisation;

(f)  some of the Partner Providers have also been successful in independently applying for external funding such as AJ Sports which is to support a mentoring scheme that will benefit local young people.

RESOLVED to note the update and thank Dave Brennan and Van Henry for attending the meeting.