Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Housing Services in relation the Communities First activities and performance during 2017/18 and outline plans for 2018/19. 

The Service Manager (Housing, Strategy, Commissioning & Policy) reported that the Annual Report highlights the funding Communities First receives from both this Authority and Welsh Government.  One of the main programmes funded by Welsh Government is Tackling Poverty Programme, Communities for Work Programme and LIFT Programme which aims at improving the prospects of people living in the most disadvantaged communities across Wales.  She noted that historically Communities First has worked in partnership with the Housing Services to drive forward their programmes.  The Communities First was first set up to deliver support to the most deprived wards in Anglesey however since the announcement in February 2017, by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children that the Communities First Programme would be phased out by March 2017, Môn Communities Forward now delivers support and advice across most ward across the Island.

Mrs Rita Lyon – Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) said that Communities First has now been rebranded to Môn Communities Forward.  She noted that Môn Communities Forward has secured funding from Wales European Funding Office (WEFO) to provide an ‘In Work Support Programme’ targeting people who are in employment but are underemployed i.e. people who are in part-time employment or those seeking to improve their employment.  Môn Communities Forward are opening a new office in Menai Bridge this month to afford support and services to the Seiriol area.  The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) wished to amend the report before the Committee which such read that ‘Communities for Work Programme’ – 72 people engaged with the project and 18 people into employment.

The Committee considered the report and raised the following matters :-

·      Clarification was sought as to the achievement of the LIFT programme offered by Communities First.  The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) responded that the LIFT was a Welsh Government pilot programme for a period of 3 years.  Anglesey was one of 9 Communities First Cluster areas identified aimed at people who are temporarily out of work; people who have spent more than six months out of work or training; people who face the greatest barriers to becoming employable i.e. young single parents, adults with few or no formal qualifications, people with poor employment records and individuals with disabilities.  The LIFT programme on Anglesey has worked with 402 individuals and moved 144 people back into employment over the period of the scheme which came to an end in March 2018.  She noted that the scheme has now been replaced by the Communities to Work Plus which is funded through WEFO. Further clarification was sought as to how many people stay in employment and whether Môn Communities Forward are able to monitor and support these individuals. The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) responded that monitoring of people who have been returned to work through the Môn Communities Forward are monitored every six months and individuals who fall out of the scheme are returned for support to Môn Communities Forward.  She noted that these people have been out of work for a long period and adjusting to the working environment can be difficult.

·      Due to Môn Communities Forward expanding to other communities within Anglesey, it was suggested that data on people within the specific wards and areas that has taken advantage of the facilities offered by Môn Communities Forward should be included within the Annual Report for 2018/19.  Questions were raised as to whether Môn Communities Forward could offer mobile surgeries in rural areas.   The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) responded that it is a matter that Môn Communities Forward are considering but as it is only since April that the organisation is able to afford facilities across wards on the Island it will take time to arrange such a facility as mobile surgeries.

·      Members referred to Môn Communities Forward returning to Amlwch to afford services, training and support to get people back into the working environment.  Comments were made that the local community of Amlwch seem to be unaware of Môn Communities Forward and the services they afford.  The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) said that Amlwch is one of Môn Communities First success with a good working relationship with the Job Centre and Parys Training.  She said that she would afford the local members for Amlwch statistics of the uptake of training course attended by residents.

·      Questions were raised whether Môn Communities Forward has adequate funding to enable them to deliver services across the Island.  The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) responded that the budget forecast for 2018/19 is £1.1m of which Welsh Government funding afforded via the Local Authority.  She said that as the Chief Executive Officer of Môn Communities Forward she is confident that funding has been secured until 2021 to enable the organisation to function.  Members referred to the uncertainties as regard to Brexit and possible effects on grant funding to organisations such as Môn Communities Forward.  The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) responded that uncertainties on grant funding due to Brexit is faced by all organisations who depend on EU funding. 

·      Concerns were expressed as to the vacant shops on the Island’s Towns and specifically at Holyhead.  The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) responded that Communities First in 2012 had an initiative, with the support of the Local Authority, to enable people to open small business which were rent free and a reduction in business rates for a period in Holyhead.   She noted that at present 8% of shops are vacant in Holyhead.

·      Questions were raised as to the risk the Authority is undertaking to work in partnership with Môn Communities Forward to deliver Communities for Work Plus, Communities for Work and the Legacy Funding.  The Chief Executive Officer (Môn Communities Forward) responded that she was confident that there is no risks for the Local Authority to work in partnership with Môn Communities First.  She noted that the organisation over the years has been able to perform and has been able to afford services to people in conjunction with the objective of the Council’s Plan to support residents to reach their full potential and improve the quality of their lives and their wellbeing.

The Chair raised the question as to whether the Committee wished to continue to receive the Annual Report following the closure of the Communities First Programme by Welsh Government.  The Committee were in agreement that Môn Communities Forward should present their report to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on an annual basis.

It was RESOLVED :-

·      To acknowledge the performance of Môn Communities Forward during 2017/18 in the delivery of the final year of Communities First;

·      That Môn Communities Forward shall continue to report to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on an annual basis.

ACTION : As noted above.