Agenda item

Following a commitment made to the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) Executive Scrutiny Committee in January 2024 to bring a report to a future SBC Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee meeting, consideration was given to an update on the SBC Community Spaces initiative.  Presented by the SBC Strategic Lead – A Fairer Stockton-on-Tees & Community Engagement, and supported by a SBC Project Co-ordinator, information included:

·       Background (to the scheme)

·       2024 Monitoring Evaluation and Feedback

·       Case Studies – The Warm Welcome

·       Community Spaces: Thank You and Network Launch Event (27 June 2024)

·       Conclusion and Recommendations

With specific reference to the report’s ‘Executive Summary’ section, an overview of the scheme (which involved almost 70 venues registered as Community Spaces, a number which included all five ‘Bread and Butter Thing’ hubs) and the main issues highlighted through monitoring conversations were relayed.  Regarding the latter element, it was noted that the majority of the 87% of respondents to the annual monitoring process stated that they were content with the scheme and would like to remain part of it for 2024-2025.

Attention was also drawn to the June 2024 launch of the Community Spaces Network, the two key reasons why people attended the registered venues (which remained social isolation and the cost of living), the range of advice and support services (e.g. debt management, employment and training, etc.) connected to these settings, and the highly regarded Winter Warm Boxes.  The successful development of the ‘Warm Welcome’ weekly drop-in sessions in Thornaby had prompted the creation of a similar offer in Billingham – it was hoped to roll this out to other parts of the Borough in the future.

Challenges associated with maintaining provision were raised by existing providers, principally the lack of additional funding which prevented venues from increasing / enhancing their offer.  Support to access further finance was desired, with requests also made for training and development opportunities such as mental health first aid, food hygiene, and welfare and benefits guidance.  In addition, it was stated that, whilst these spaces were a lifeline for some, there was a heavy reliance on volunteers.

The conclusion to the report noted that £60,000 of Public Health funding had secured the continuation of the Community Spaces initiative for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 – this had enabled venues to build on what was achieved in the first phase of the ‘Warm Spaces’ scheme and work towards long-term sustainability.  Considering the increasing financial pressures on Local Authorities and the Council’s Powering Our Future transformation programme, it was felt imperative that Community Spaces venues were empowered to achieve this long-term sustainability by accessing wider funding and were supported with funding bid applications.  To this end, a number of recommendations for the 2024-2025 period were included.

Speaking from experience of attending some of the Borough’s Community Spaces to offer assistance, Members began their response to the report by emphasising the positive environment within these venues, as well as cases where individuals paid for their own food / drink (demonstrating that the scheme was not just a ‘one-way ticket’).  The idea of live music was supported, though the potential financial burden of this was acknowledged (SBC officers stated that the ongoing development of the Community Spaces Network may help in the sharing of activities (e.g. music) between venues), whilst limitations on the availability of the Winter Warm Boxes was highlighted, mainly due to the amount of new people attending these settings.

Mindful of the main reasons why individuals continued to access Community Spaces, the Committee noted that loneliness can affect people in all parts of the Borough – as such, provision in every Ward within Stockton-on-Tees would be welcomed (SBC officers subsequently notified Members of a recent expression of interest to provide a venue in one of the four Wards that did not currently have such a space).  The Committee also expressed concern that further pressure would be put on this initiative as a result of the recent national decisions on winter fuel allowance payments.

SBC officers were thanked for presenting the update to the Committee, with all those involved in the initiative commended for the work which had gone into it.

AGREED that the SBC Community Spaces Annual Evaluation report be noted.