Council Agenda Item No. 8 Community Planning & Date of Regeneration Committee Meeting: 4 February 2021 Not Exempt Community Council Health Check

Purpose & Summary This report details the impact on Community Councils of changes to the Scheme of Establishment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlights activity, engagement and operating issues across all active Community Councils during the period of restrictions from March 2020.

Recommendations Committee is asked to: 1. consider and comment on the contents of the report.

Resource Implications No additional resource implications.

Legal & Risk Implications

No legal implications. Risks may include the Council not fulfilling its statutory obligations.

1. Background 1.1. Community Councils play a vital role in local democracy and in the past year have contributed to the community response to the COVID-19 pandemic providing support for local communities and citizens. 1.2. The Community Engagement Team has carried out a “health check” on all Community Councils across the Stirling Council area to assess how they have been able to operate within the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 1.3. An online survey was circulated to all Community Councils in January which asked for reflections on the impact of the pandemic currently, and during the previous year. 1.4. Follow up telephone conversations were also had between the Community Engagement Team and representatives from the Community Councils. 1.5. Specific importance was given to the necessary changes to the Scheme of Establishment and its impact on Community Council operations.

2. Considerations 2.1 The Stirling Council area has potential for 42 Community Councils: 2.1.1 At present there are 38 functioning Community Councils; 2.1.2 3 did not form and remain inactive; and 2.1.3 1 has stopped operating (pre COVID). 2.2 Stirling Council statutory Obligations to Community Councils 2.2.1 Project Grants: In 19/20 a total of £14,704 was paid out in Community Pride grants to 9 different Community Councils for 15 different community projects (some CCs applied for more than one community project) 2.2.2 Administrative Grants: 2.2.2.1 In 19/20 the total admin grant (prior to insurance deductions) was £19,394 to 38 operational Community Councils; 2.2.2.2 The total minute taker payment was £11,800 to 33 Community Councils who used an external minute taker. 2.2.3 In Kind Support – (see Appendix 2): In Kind support can include the provision of council premises, resources and administration services to support Community Councils to conduct their business. 2.3 Summary of Response to Online Survey (Full Report included as Appendix 3): 2.3.1 Total Number of responses: 27. 2.3.2 Community Councils that responded to online survey: 2.3.2.1 Logie; ; ; : : ; ; ; Strathfillan; Riverside; Arnprior; Carron Valley & District; St Ninians; ; King’s Park; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , & ; Cowie; ; Causewayhead; Braehead & . 2.4 Emerging Themes from Online Survey: 2.4.1 The majority of those responding had met throughout the lockdown period. 2.4.2 Of those who hadn’t met (8 in total): 3 had concentrated efforts on local projects (food banks) and 5 reported IT issues as a barrier to meeting. 2.4.3 No Community Councils reported that the amendments to the Scheme of Establishment had prevented them from meeting however the need to meet online had caused problems for some (2.4.4). 2.4.4 Four responses highlighted IT as a barrier; either lack of knowledge, hardware or connectivity, given the requirement to meet online. 2.4.5 Stirling Council’s restriction on using the Zoom platform was a particular issue. 2.4.6 The wider support given by Council officers and Elected Members throughout a difficult period was highlighted during telephone conversations. 2.5 IT issues and the Council’s response: 2.5.1 The restriction on Council officers and mMembers from using Zoom was clearly an issue for many of the Community Councils. The restriction was an instruction not to use Zoom to Local Authorities from the Digital Office of Scottish Government due to the potential for security issues. 2.5.2 The Digital Office continually monitored the security updates relating to Zoom, however this never reached a stage where Zoom was regarded as safe to the Council’s IT systems. 2.5.3 iPads were sourced and distributed to Community Engagement Officers that allows them to now attend Zoom meetings with no risk to the Council systems. 2.5.4 There is a need to ensure all Community Councils have the knowledge, training and hardware necessary to be able to effectively conduct business online. 2.6 Ongoing Support: 2.6.1 The Community Engagement Team will continue to communicate with Community Councils during the pandemic period and offer all support possible to allow them to continue to function as best they can.

3. Implications Equalities Impact 3.1 The contents of this report were assessed under the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment process. It was determined that an Equality Impact Assessment was not required. Fairer Duty 3.2 The contents of this report were considered in terms of the Fairer Scotland Duty and were determined not to be of strategic importance. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Impact 3.3 None. Other Policy Implications 3.4 Following consideration of the policy implications of this report no relevant issues have been identified. Consultations 3.5 The consultations and surveys carried out are referenced in the above report and data included in the appendices.

4. Background Papers 4.1 EqIA Relevance Check.

5. Appendices 5.1 Appendix 1 – Raw data from online survey (excel sheet). 5.2 Appendix 2 – In Kind Support received by Community Councils from Stirling Council. 5.3 Appendix 3 – Full written report of Online Survey Results.

Author(s)

Name Designation Telephone Number/E-mail

Crawford Bell Community Development 01786 233157 Manager 07385031893 [email protected]

Approved by

Name Designation Date

Stuart Oliver Senior Manager – Economic 21 January 2021 Development and Communities

Details of Convener(s), Vice Convener(s), Councillor Chris Kane Portfolio Holder and Depute Portfolio Councillor Scott Farmer Holders (as appropriate) consulted on this report:

Wards affected: All

Key Priorities: D - We will deliver inclusive economic growth and promote prosperity. We will deliver a City Region Deal and pursue policies and solutions that encourage high quality, high paying jobs into all of Stirling's communities.

Key Priority Considerations:

Stirling Plan Priority Outcomes: Prosperous - People are part of a prosperous economy that promotes inclusive growth (Local Outcomes Improvement Plan) opportunities across our communities