Agenda item

-       6.20 pm

Councillor Caulfield, Scrutiny Project Group Lead Member, presented the Scrutiny Project Group’s report on Friends Groups to the Committee.

The project group had been set up to look at how friends groups worked with the Council to improve local parks and open spaces. The report detailed the objectives of the review, its findings and analysis, including a survey of all the friends groups and research of related documents used by other authorities, and its recommendations.

The Chair thanked Councillor Caulfield and the members of the project group for the group’s work and report.

RESOLVED –

That the recommendations of the Scrutiny Project Group’s review of friends groups as detailed below be approved to be recommended to Cabinet, including any corporate considerations:

(1)That an up-to-date data base of Friends of Groups is maintained by officers and that all Friends of Groups are given a single point of contact at the council to facilitate streamlined , effective and accountable channels of communication between groups and the council.

(2)That an annual survey with Friends Groups be carried out to collect information on their activities and achievements to enable the council to see how their work is contributing  to the delivery of the councils objectives, as  set out in the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.

(3)That all Friends Groups should have an agreed Management or Master Plan which has been developed in consultation with both the Council and the local community which clearly sets out both the group’s and the council’s role with regards to the development of the park or open space.

(4)That Friends Groups be provided with information and guidance, as required, from the Communications and Marketing Team on how to publicise their activities to, and engage effectively with, their local communities.

(5)That the documentation made available to new Friends Groups by the council is reviewed and refreshed, and that a knowledge bank of templates and guidance documents are made available to assist groups to put key documents and policies, including a strong constitution, in place.

(6)That to facilitate effective communication channels between the council and friends groups, and between friends groups in Chesterfield, that a Friends Group Committee be established, also that a bi-annual Friends Group newsletter be published which will also enable the work of Friends Groups to be shared and celebrated with a wider audience.

(7)That officers work closely with, and provide advice and guidance to Friends Groups who are bidding for external funding in order to reduce duplication, increase coordination and ensure better outcomes from the bids.