Agenda item

This council acknowledges that for many people in Cambridge there appears to be a substantial gap between the life experiences of the permanent community and those of the student population, which is not conducive to the wellbeing and future of our city.

 

This council recognises the essential role of both universities - Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Cambridge - in the city and their central contributions to Cambridge’s economic success, but acknowledges that more could be done to foster social links.

 

The council notes, in particular, that there is a tangible disparity between the daily lives and life chances of those within the most deprived parts of our city and many of the students who, fortuitously, have the chance to study in Cambridge.

 

This council acknowledges the valuable work being done by Cambridge Hub, which recruits student volunteers and encourages their participation - locally, nationally and internationally - in a range of essential social, environmental and charitable activities.

The council notes that Cambridge is blessed with a rich civil society, but community projects and community-based groups in some of the most deprived parts of our city often lack one or more of the following:

 

·       A large pool of volunteers

·       Time-rich/flexible volunteers

·       Access to help in range of fields crucial for effective social action, such as:

o   Website design

o   Fundraising

o   Event organisation

o   Social media and communication training.

 

This council notes that the Cambridge Hub works with partners to recruit, support and connect student volunteers to available community opportunities.  However, the council notes that it has been difficult for the Cambridge Hub to expand its local activism in the more deprived parts of Cambridge because of a lack of local coordination, knowledge and help in directing activities towards the greatest needs.

 

This council resolves to:

 

·       Request that Cambridge City Council Community Development team meet with Cambridge Hub during the summer to discuss where and how the Hub can help community groups before the bulk of the student population returns to Cambridge.

·       Write to community groups currently receiving, or who have received, financial assistance and/or wider support in the last two financial years, advertising the help Cambridge Hub can provide with an invitation to a community event in September to meet and discuss partnering opportunities further.

·       Email all councillors the list of local organisations that will be contacted, so that each councillor has the chance to suggest additional community projects and groups in their own ward that they believe could benefit from building a relationship with Cambridge Hub.

·       Lastly, recognise that more needs to be done by the council, especially in the current economic climate, to reduce the social divide between town and gown.

 

While acknowledging that council finances are under unprecedented pressure, the Chief Executive is asked to arrange a discussion including both universities on presenting an annual award - on behalf of us all - to one student and one community volunteer who have worked most successfully to bridge the divide between ‘town and gown’.

Councillor Roberts proposed and Councillor Gawthrope seconded the following motion:

 

This council acknowledges that for many people in Cambridge there appears to be a substantial gap between the life experiences of the permanent community and those of the student population, which is not conducive to the wellbeing and future of our city.

 

This council recognises the essential role of both universities - Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Cambridge - in the city and their central contributions to Cambridge’s economic success, but acknowledges that more could be done to foster social links.

 

The council notes, in particular, that there is a tangible disparity between the daily lives and life chances of those within the most deprived parts of our city and many of the students who, fortuitously, have the chance to study in Cambridge.

 

This council acknowledges the valuable work being done by Cambridge Hub, which recruits student volunteers and encourages their participation - locally, nationally and internationally - in a range of essential social, environmental and charitable activities.

The council notes that Cambridge is blessed with a rich civil society, but community projects and community-based groups in some of the most deprived parts of our city often lack one or more of the following:

 

·       A large pool of volunteers

·       Time-rich/flexible volunteers

·       Access to help in range of fields crucial for effective social action, such as:

o   Website design

o   Fundraising

o   Event organisation

o   Social media and communication training.

 

This council notes that the Cambridge Hub works with partners to recruit, support and connect student volunteers to available community opportunities.  However, the council notes that it has been difficult for the Cambridge Hub to expand its local activism in the more deprived parts of Cambridge because of a lack of local coordination, knowledge and help in directing activities towards the greatest needs.

 

This council resolves to:

 

·       Request that Cambridge City Council Community Development team meet with Cambridge Hub during the summer to discuss where and how the Hub can help community groups before the bulk of the student population returns to Cambridge.

 

·       Write to community groups currently receiving, or who have received, financial assistance and/or wider support in the last two financial years, advertising the help Cambridge Hub can provide with an invitation to a community event in September to meet and discuss partnering opportunities further.

 

·       Email all councillors the list of local organisations that will be contacted, so that each councillor has the chance to suggest additional community projects and groups in their own ward that they believe could benefit from building a relationship with Cambridge Hub.

 

·       Lastly, recognise that more needs to be done by the council, especially in the current economic climate, to reduce the social divide between town and gown.

 

While acknowledging that council finances are under unprecedented pressure, the Chief Executive is asked to arrange a discussion including both universities on presenting an annual award - on behalf of us all - to one student and one community volunteer who have worked most successfully to bridge the divide between ‘town and gown’.

 

Councillor Brown proposed and Councillor Pitt seconded the following amendment:

 

Delete all and replace with:

 

This council acknowledges that the life experiences of city residents can vary greatly, with many in more deprived areas of the city experiencing fewer opportunities than students and other residents.

 

The council recognises the essential role of the city’s universities to the city’s reputation and economic and social success.

 

The council notes the contribution of Cambridge Student Community Action, which for more than forty years has promoted voluntary activity amongst students, and worked to enhance “town and gown” relationships. Such activity includes, but is not limited to:

 

·       Homework clubs at schools across the city, including the Manor and Coleridge schools, where students from the universities assist with homework.

 

·       The Big Siblings project, where children from single parent families, or with learning disabilities, are matched with a student volunteer for weekly activities.

 

·       Providing free sports activity every morning at schools such as the Manor School for the first 3 weeks of the holiday.

 

·       Befriending activities for older people and those experiencing depression and other mental health problems.

 

·       Running a “Children’s University”

 

·       Teaching English as an additional language.

 

·       Providing assistance for physically disabled people.

 

·       Helping manage gardens for elderly people.

 

·       Providing musical and singalong entertainment evenings in local care homes.

 

The council notes that it has provided many years of grant funding to Cambridge Student Community Action for children and family community work.

 

The council further notes the contribution to community voluntary activity of Anglia Ruskin students through the ARU Students’ Union Volunteering Service. Over 500 Anglia students regularly give their time to volunteer with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Mencap and many other organisations.

 

The Council also notes the significant contribution to facilitating voluntary activities amongst students in Cambridge of Cambridge University Students’ Union.

 

The council acknowledges the valuable work being done by Cambridge Hub, which works closely with Student Community Action and recruits volunteers and encourages their participation in a range of social, environmental and charitable activities.

 

The council notes that it can be challenging to coordinate and manage activities and volunteers in more deprived parts of Cambridge.

 

Council resolves to:

 

·       Request that Cambridge City Council Community Development team meet with Cambridge Hub, Cambridge Student Community Action, Cambridge University Students Union and Angila Ruskin Students’ Union to discuss where and how they can help before the bulk of the student population returns to Cambridge.

 

·       Write to appropriate groups and individuals currently receiving, or who have received, financial assistance and/or wider support in the last two financial years, advertising the help student volunteer services can provide.

 

·       Email all councillors the list of local organisations that will be contacted, so that each councillor has the chance to suggest additional community projects and groups in their own ward that they believe could benefit from building a relationship with student volunteering organisations.

 

·       Recognise that the Council sponsored Cambridge Evening News Community Awards provide a mechanism for recognising the efforts of students and community volunteers who seek to join up town and gown more effectively; and that councillors and student organisations should be encouraged to nominate student and community volunteers that they believe have made an outstanding contribution to relations between town and gown.

 

On a show of hands the amendment was carried by 22 votes to 0.

 

Resolved (unanimously) that:

 

This council acknowledges that the life experiences of city residents can vary greatly, with many in more deprived areas of the city experiencing fewer opportunities than students and other residents.

 

The council recognises the essential role of the city’s universities to the city’s reputation and economic and social success.

 

The council notes the contribution of Cambridge Student Community Action, which for more than forty years has promoted voluntary activity amongst students, and worked to enhance “town and gown” relationships. Such activity includes, but is not limited to:

 

·       Homework clubs at schools across the city, including the Manor and Coleridge schools, where students from the universities assist with homework.

 

·       The Big Siblings project, where children from single parent families, or with learning disabilities, are matched with a student volunteer for weekly activities.

 

·       Providing free sports activity every morning at schools such as the Manor School for the first 3 weeks of the holiday.

 

·       Befriending activities for older people and those experiencing depression and other mental health problems.

 

·       Running a “Children’s University”

 

·       Teaching English as an additional language.

 

·       Providing assistance for physically disabled people.

 

·       Helping manage gardens for elderly people.

 

·       Providing musical and singalong entertainment evenings in local care homes.

 

The council notes that it has provided many years of grant funding to Cambridge Student Community Action for children and family community work.

 

The council further notes the contribution to community voluntary activity of Anglia Ruskin students through the ARU Students’ Union Volunteering Service. Over 500 Anglia students regularly give their time to volunteer with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Mencap and many other organisations.

 

The Council also notes the significant contribution to facilitating voluntary activities amongst students in Cambridge of Cambridge University Students’ Union.

 

The council acknowledges the valuable work being done by Cambridge Hub, which works closely with Student Community Action and recruits volunteers and encourages their participation in a range of social, environmental and charitable activities.

 

The council notes that it can be challenging to coordinate and manage activities and volunteers in more deprived parts of Cambridge.

 

Council resolves to:

 

·       Request that Cambridge City Council Community Development team meet with Cambridge Hub, Cambridge Student Community Action, Cambridge University Students Union and Angila Ruskin Students’ Union to discuss where and how they can help before the bulk of the student population returns to Cambridge.

 

·       Write to appropriate groups and individuals currently receiving, or who have received, financial assistance and/or wider support in the last two financial years, advertising the help student volunteer services can provide.

 

·       Email all councillors the list of local organisations that will be contacted, so that each councillor has the chance to suggest additional community projects and groups in their own ward that they believe could benefit from building a relationship with student volunteering organisations.

 

·       Recognise that the Council sponsored Cambridge Evening News Community Awards provide a mechanism for recognising the efforts of students and community volunteers who seek to join up town and gown more effectively; and that councillors and student organisations should be encouraged to nominate student and community volunteers that they believe have made an outstanding contribution to relations between town and gown.