Report – 10 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) presented her report that provided an update on current constituency projects and activities funded using the Committee’s 2016-17 budget allocations and any budgets carried over from previous years.

The Constituency Manager (Wirral West) provided a verbal summary and update on progress for each item of report that included:

·  Neighbourhood Working Review - two workshop dates had been scheduled for stakeholder engagement with Elected Members on Thursday 13 July and Tuesday 25 July, both at Wallasey Town Hall; and

·  Budget 2017-18 – a one year pause in respect of £50,000 core budget for each of the four Constituency Committees, with an exception that any underspends in budgets would be used in this financial year. Notice of a £50,000 allocation though Constituency Committees to further support community clean ups yet to be determined. Views of the Committee will be sought in the future. The Constituency Manager highlighted a table within the report that provided a summary that detailed underspent budget funding carried over, and the purposes for which it had already been earmarked by the Committee.

·  Small Grant Big Difference – the Constituency Manager informed that applications for funds were invited from Monday 26 June 2017, with a closing date of 12 noon on Friday 28 July 2017. Small grants being aimed at making a big difference for groups in Wirral West to improve their local high streets, parks and open spaces and community assets. Details may be found on the Council’s website at www.wirral.gov.uk/wirralwest or by contacting the Constituency Manager’s Office on 0151 691 8650.

·  Connect Us Project delivered by Involve Northwest – the constituency team is supporting the project and working with ‘community connectors’ in local areas to reach out to people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance / Incapacity Benefit who may have felt trapped and isolated. The Constituency team is also helping to coordinate door knocking initiatives, making best use of the resources available. 

·  Wirral Together Volunteering Strategy – coordinated delivery planning has been developed by a Steering Group that included representatives from voluntary and community groups as well as the public and private sector. The strategy recognises the vital role of residents and communities in achieving the Wirral 2020 pledges and set out clear priorities for inspiring, encouraging and enabling volunteers to grow.

·  Mailing Lists – the constituency team is currently refreshing its mailing lists to ensure that information is better targeted, based upon people’s interests.

In conclusion the Constituency Manager reported that as a member of the Advisory Panel for the DONG Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund and that to date, five Wirral West projects had secured a total of £45,629 from the fund (part of a total of £96,572 for Wirral as a whole).

Resolved – That the progress and updates set out in the Constituency Manager’s report be noted.