Presentation – 15 minutes will be allocated for this item / discussion

The Committee considered a presentation introduced by the Constituency Manager (Wirral West) that provided a summary of the background to the Wirral West Community Fund and some examples of the works undertaken in the Constituency during 2016-17.

The Constituency Manager informed that the Community Fund had been established in the first year of the Committee with four funding rounds of £50,000 available each year having taken place to date (£10,000 per ward).

The Committee were apprised that the focus was on resident engagement and increased participation through voting on projects and the raising of awareness of local activities and groups. Members noted that there had been consistently high levels of applications and involvement as a result. Members noted that over the four year period since its inception, £165,000 had been allocated in grants, with 85 groups having received monies to enable 200 individual projects.

The Constituency Manager provided a summary of five projects that had received monies from the Wirral West Community Fund, as follows:

£6,000 invested in total for Green and Blooming Greasby to transform Greasby Village Centre - the centre has been  improved for ALL residents and visitors, increasing pride in the area and increasing number of volunteers gaining skills, building friendships and networks - additionally contributing to increased footfall to local businesses.

£5,000 invested in total to support the development of Festival of Firsts community participation activities - The Festival of Firsts puts the area on the map as a place where community arts can flourish, and has recently been announced as Winner of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community.

Just under £3,000 invested in total for Carers Get Together to undertake activities for local carers - People are cared for at home for as long as possible, with more  independence and better quality of life. Support is available locally which helps to reduce demand on health and social care services.

£1,800 invested in total for Woodchurch High Community Farm for community activities, focused on horticulture and opening up school assets to local residents - inter-generational activities bringing together different parts of the community and improving cohesion.

£4,800 invested in total for Autism Together to undertake work at Wirral Country Park (e.g. access improvements) - service users are learning new skills, gaining confidence and feeling part of community.

The Constituency Manager informed that each example demonstrated strong evidence to meet the Wirral 2020 pledges. She further informed that the next steps involved a) the production of a report highlighting the impact of the Community Fund, with further development of case studies and looking at social value, b) ongoing support to current Community Fund projects, and c) continued engagement with groups to identify opportunities to promote their work and activities.

The Chair and a number of Members of the Committee expressed their thanks to the Constituency Manager and her team; and to volunteers and colleagues who ensure successful delivery of the projects.

In response to a question from a member of the public relating to equality of the distribution of funds across the area, a Member described how the Committee had allocated funding equitably across the five wards in the constituency area but had also targeted funding where this was most needed, i.e. to  help with specific problems associated with anti-social behaviour.

Resolved – That content of the report be noted.

Councillor W Clements having earlier declared a personal interest in this item remained in the meeting whilst the item was considered.