Agenda item

The CEO commented that the Community Participation Strategy offered opportunities to strengthen the voluntary sector in Barnet including recruiting more volunteers. The report on the libraries offered an important starting point to focus on opportunities in other areas such as litter picking and adult social care.

The Deputy Head of Strategy reported that annual updates on the Community Participation Strategy were provided to CLLC and an update would follow in November 2020. The latest update coincided with some changes and provided an opportunity to rethink current progress and to inform future work with residents. From March to November there would be a process of stakeholder engagement to explore some of workstreams identified in the report with a focus on stronger local networks.

The Deputy Head of Strategy noted that Councillors were an important element of the strategy, particularly in their role as Ward Members as they can ensure residents’ views are fed back. 

A Member noted that Barnet has a multi-racial population and it was important to not pressurise residents who would be keen to retain their separate identities, though they could still get along with each other. The Deputy Head of Strategy acknowledged this adding that it is a strength with faith communities providing key hubs in Barnet.

The CEO agreed, adding that there was huge strength and faith and multi-faith groups but the Council did not wish to impose too much control. It would have a coordinating and support role and there may be areas that the Council is not aware of but could provide support to. 

A Member asked whether a register of community groups was available. Also, it was important to avoid them duplicating work. It was also not clear where funding was available. The litter picking volunteers operated in Colindale twice per month but street cleaning was a Council duty and they were not receiving help from the Council and could be overburdened, without support from officers. 

The Chairman noted that he did not feel that there was anything negative about residents willing to do some litter picking. The Council is fulfilling its statutory duty but residents were taking responsibility for their area. The Deputy Head of Strategy noted that the strategy aimed to celebrate civic pride. The Barnet Community Directory had previously listed community groups online but this had not been comprehensive. Work would begin on a single database.

The Strategy Officer commented that for the past eight months the team had been supporting, promoting and celebrating the work of the litter picking groups. Many volunteers were involved in other areas also, such as schools, and reported feeling that they are part of the bigger picture in Barnet. Schools were also keen to take part in community work. The Strategy Team is working with the Barnet Federation of GPs to develop a directory of services that will provide the Council with information on groups that are under the radar. Social prescribing link workers could do social prescribing to these groups also, to reduce social isolation.

A Member noted that it would be helpful to have a framework around interfaith work to help people of different faiths communicate with one another.

A Member noted that it was important to create a sense of community in the large regeneration areas such as Colindale. Some areas were encountering problems such as Belle Vue Estate with almost no community engagement.

A Member noted that it was a concern that children were joining in with the litter picking, considering safeguarding issues. For example, used needles had been found during a recent litter pick. Also there could be too much pressure and over-reliance on the community to pick up other people’s rubbish. In some areas the same residents were left with the burden of litter picking and civic resilience needed to be developed with cross-borough volunteering.

The CEO responded that Barnet Council had recognised that more could be done around street cleansing; he also did not wish to stifle the enthusiasm and civic pride of residents who were willing to volunteer. Barnet had provided an extra £500,000 for street cleansing this municipal year and in the upcoming budget could look to add more. Fly tipping was a large and growing issue in the Borough and the Council was trying to respond to this. Other London Boroughs were facing similar issues.

A Member commented that Residents’ Forums had a reduced number of attendees compared to years ago. It was important to engage different groups. Also residents may congregate on the Borough’s boundaries so it may be worth focusing on religious groups and other organisations, mosques etc just outside the Borough when considering engagement.

The Committee unanimously RESOLVED to note the plans to develop a new Community Participation Strategy.