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Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel - Monday, 3rd June, 2024 6.00 pm

June 3, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The meeting focused on strengthening relationships between High Peak District Council and local town and parish councils. The main topics were the introduction of a new approach to enhance collaboration and communication, and a presentation by Beat the Cold, an energy advice service.

Strengthening Relationships with Town and Parish Councils

The council discussed a new approach to improve collaboration with town and parish councils. The aim is to create a cooperative framework that acknowledges the unique capacities and resources of each council. The approach includes:

  • Engagement and Consultation: Initial engagement with town and parish councils through the parish assembly to gather their views.
  • Working Group: Setting up a working group comprising members from the district council and parish assembly to scope and research potential ways forward.
  • Statement of Intent and Action Plan: Developing a statement of intent and an action plan with milestones and targets to ensure progress.

Key Points Discussed:

  • Communication: Emphasis on improving communication between councils and with the public. Suggestions included digital newsletters and a formal communication framework.
  • Town Centre Partnerships: Support for town centre partnerships to address local regeneration needs. The approach should be community-led with support from the district council.
  • Small Regeneration Projects Fund: Consideration of a fund for small regeneration projects, similar to a scheme in High Peak.
  • Role of Parish Clerks: Recognition of the crucial role of parish clerks in facilitating communication and implementing projects.
  • Youth Involvement: Suggestion to include young people in the consultation process to gather their views on local issues.
  • Planning: Improving the planning process by offering training to parish councils and providing a guide to planning reasons to strengthen their input.

Beat the Cold Presentation

Fiona Miller from Beat the Cold presented an overview of their work. Beat the Cold is an energy advice service and charity operating in Staffordshire, offering support to vulnerable residents to combat fuel poverty and improve housing quality.

Key Points Discussed:

  • Service Overview: Beat the Cold provides impartial energy advice, retrofit schemes, and support for vulnerable residents. They have a team of qualified home energy advisors.
  • Performance Data: In the last 12 months, Beat the Cold supported 451 households in the moorlands, issued £60,000 in fuel vouchers, and provided food bank and water tariff support.
  • Challenges and Capacity: Addressing capacity issues, especially during the energy crisis. Plans to expand the team and improve service delivery.
  • Case Studies: Examples of support provided to a family in Cheadle and a retired couple in Leek, highlighting the impact of their services.
  • Future Plans: Focus on sustainable solutions, including insulation and energy efficiency measures, and collaboration with local authorities and the NHS.

Councillor Questions:

  • Capacity and Recruitment: Concerns about capacity and recruitment of home energy advisors. Fiona Miller assured that they are addressing these issues with strategic planning and recruitment.
  • Long-term Solutions: Emphasis on providing long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. Beat the Cold is exploring sustainable interventions and pilot projects.
  • Rural Residents: Ensuring that rural residents are not left behind. Beat the Cold is willing to analyze data and improve outreach to rural areas.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of improving collaboration with town and parish councils and the valuable work of Beat the Cold in supporting vulnerable residents.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Kate Mills
Councillor Kate Mills  Independent •  Cheadle West
Profile image for Councillor Liz Whitehouse
Councillor Liz Whitehouse  Labour •  Cheadle North East
Profile image for Councillor Marc Durose
Councillor Marc Durose  Conservative •  Forsbrook
Profile image for Councillor Mike Haines
Councillor Mike Haines  Labour and Co-operative •  Cheadle South East
Profile image for Councillor Barbara Hughes
Councillor Barbara Hughes  Conservative •  Cellarhead
Profile image for Councillor Mark Johnson
Councillor Mark Johnson  Labour •  Leek North
Profile image for Councillor John Jones
Councillor John Jones  Independent •  Biddulph Moor
Profile image for Councillor Jonathan Kempster
Councillor Jonathan Kempster  Green Party •  Manifold
Profile image for Councillor Joe Porter
Councillor Joe Porter  Conservative •  Brown Edge & Endon
Profile image for Councillor Jill Salt
Councillor Jill Salt  Independent •  Biddulph East
Profile image for Councillor Ross Ward
Councillor Ross Ward  Conservative •  Werrington
Member Diary SMDC
Sally Hampton
Martin Owen
David Smith
Mark Trillo
Linden Vernon
Andrew Stokes
Profile image for Councillor Lyn Swindlehurst
Councillor Lyn Swindlehurst  Labour •  Leek North
Profile image for Councillor Crecy Boone
Councillor Crecy Boone  Labour •  Leek East
Profile image for Councillor Ben Emery
Councillor Ben Emery  Conservative •  Leek West
Profile image for Councillor Callum Beswick
Councillor Callum Beswick  Conservative •  Dane
Profile image for Councillor Keith Hoptroff
Councillor Keith Hoptroff  Labour •  Leek South
Profile image for Councillor Linda Malyon
Councillor Linda Malyon  Independent •  Ipstones
Profile image for Councillor Bill Cawley
Councillor Bill Cawley  Cabinet Member - Communities •  Labour •  Leek West
Profile image for Councillor Jo Cox
Councillor Jo Cox  Conservative •  Horton
Profile image for Councillor Dave Proudlove
Councillor Dave Proudlove  Cabinet Support Member •  Labour •  Biddulph West
Profile image for Councillor Gareth Taylor
Councillor Gareth Taylor  Labour •  Leek East
Profile image for Councillor Nigel Yates
Councillor Nigel Yates  Cabinet Member - Climate Change & Environment •  Labour and Co-operative •  Biddulph West
Profile image for Councillor Charlotte Atkins
Councillor Charlotte Atkins  Cabinet Member - Services •  Labour and Co-operative •  Leek North