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Working With Friends Groups

12/11/2015 - Working With Friends Groups

Matter for Decision

Cambridge had a significant number of open spaces, and some of these now had established and active Friends Groups associated with them.  These groups undertook a range of different site management support functions including ‘hands on’ days involving operational tasks such as litter picking, vegetation management and site surveying; and organising community events and activities. They also provided a valuable conduit between the Council and the local community in terms of shaping strategic documents, for example, site management plans and providing membership feedback on public consultations.

 

The Council had undertaken a review of Friends Group expectations and aspirations and associated support needs.  The review results have been supplemented by a recently convened city wide Friends Group Forum.

 

The Officer’s report highlighted the results of this work and made recommendations to improve how the Council works with and supports Friends Groups to deliver mutually shared management aims and objectives for the city’s open spaces.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places

       i.          Approved the development of a joint protocol which guides how the Council works with Friends Groups.

     ii.          Instructed officers to:

a.    Support Friends Group to develop and adopt written constitutions that are robust, democratic and accountable.

b.    Support Friends Groups to engage fully in the review, development and implementation of existing and new open space management plans and projects.

c.    Develop generic support documentation to aid the sustainable development and functioning of strong, active Friends Groups.

d.    Hold a bi-annual Friends forum with guest speakers and minutes circulated to aid communication.

e.    To establish a Friends Group website, including online forum and generic and individual group pages/news, to aid communication.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Streets and Open Spaces Asset Manager.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Executive Councillor said the following:

       i.          Friends Groups were one of several contact points for the council to liaise with when consulting with the community. They were a valued contact group, but it was recognised they could not represent the views of all stakeholders eg public realm users may travel from outside of a ward to use facilities (eg play areas).

     ii.          The Officer’s report just listed Friends Groups linked to open spaces. Once an assessment of good practice had been undertaken, a model would be rolled out to other friends groups in future.

   iii.          A workshop was proposed for Friends Groups on a bi-annual basis with guest speakers to share good practice.

 

The Streets and Open Spaces Asset Manager signposted Sheffield City Council as an example of a council that worked well with Friends Groups. The City Council had authority to adapt their good practice models and use in Cambridge.

 

The Streets and Open Spaces Asset Manager was liaising with the City Council Web Team to set up links to Friends Groups websites.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.