Agenda item

A presentation by Samantha Hutchison, Joint Executive Head of Community Services.

The Joint Executive Head of Community Services gave a presentation on Community Services and The Hive (the slides for which had been published with the agenda papers).  The Committee was informed of the different teams within Community Services: Family Support; Care and Repair and Disabled Facilities Grants; Careline; Refugee Support and resettlement; Community Wellbeing and vulnerable people support; Older People’s Hub; and Community Transport and Community Meals.  She advised the meeting that Community Services operated within a wider Social Value Ecosystem with partners that shared the same goals.

The Joint Executive Head of Community Services indicated that The Hive used to be The Park Barn Social Centre.  She informed the meeting of the previous uses of The Hive site by the Council and its current use for Community Wellbeing, Community Transport, and the Older People’s Hub.  The Joint Executive Head of Community Services indicated that The Hive remained a service depot for Community Transport and Meals. 

The presentation outlined the community transport journeys to and from The Hive, the numbers of community meals delivered from the site in 2022/23, and the wider wellbeing support associated with The Hive.  The Joint Executive Head of Community Services told the Committee about a Christmas present project for less advantaged families that was supported by Guildford High School.  

The Committee were informed of the costs involved with The Hive, the grant contributions from Surrey County Council, the charges for services, and the rates for hire of the hall at The Hive.  The Joint Executive Head of Community Services stated that community transport charged service users of The Hive a £3 flat rate for a one-way journey.  She told the meeting of £178k in savings achieved in 2023 and indicated that a further £250k of savings had been identified for 2024.

The Joint Executive Head of Community Services highlighted that The Hive:

·       Is for the whole Borough

·       Is part of the Community Services Offer

·       Is the base for Community Transport and Meals

·       Is the Care Activities Hub for the Borough

·       Has wellbeing services open to all residents

·       Is crucial to fulfilling the Council’s commitment to those less advantaged

·       Delivers outreach activities to other areas  

The Joint Executive Head of Community Services suggested that a further report to the Committee could be informed by a number of key considerations:

·       There is no need to replicate the Council’s Community Service operational base at The Hive

·       Certain communities might wish to have a community hub in their area

·       The Hive is where it is and what it is because it is a Council asset

·       Does the Council want to consider using other Borough community assets for community wellbeing space?

·       If so – there would need to be a community organisation or group that can lead and shape this with the support of the community services team

·       Any approach would need to integrate with the Council’s asset management plan and budget pressures

·       If viable, could this space be a hub for voluntary sector partners to use as an outreach space, instead of other borough assets?

The Committee was reminded that all Councillors had been invited to visit The Hive on 24 January to further review the services offered.

The Chairman confirmed a desire to see some community services replicated outside of Westborough. 

The following information and responses were provided during the ensuing discussion:

·       In reply to a question, the Joint Executive Head of Community Services explained that Waverley Borough Council operated a strategic commissioning model of community services without direct operational delivery. 

·       In response to questions from Councillors, the Joint Executive Head of Community Services suggested that communication with partners was weakest where resources were least (in adult social care and the NHS) or where there were different timeframes and expectations. 

·       A Councillor raised the issue of a lack of community space in the Bellfields area.

·       In response to questions and comments, the Joint Executive Head of Community Services confirmed that the savings made within community services were returned to the Council, and then further explained Thrive at the Hive and the monthly Thrive on the Road.

The Chairman thanked the Joint Executive Head of Community Services for her presentation and the offer to all Councillors of a visit to The Hive on 24 January 2024.  He suggested Overview and Scrutiny councillors put forward ideas for the content of a further report on community services in time for the Committee’s 5 March 2024 meeting.

RESOLVED:  That a report on Community Services, with a scope to be agreed between the Committee Chair and the Joint Executive Head of Community Services, be provided to the Committee’s March 2024 meeting.