Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Policy and Partnerships.

The Policy Officer (PSB) advised that the report provided an update about the results of the Blaenau Gwent “Community Voice, Community Choice” Participatory Budget programme. The Policy Officer spoke in detail to the report and highlighted the key points.

A Member raised concerns in relation to the issues with the process for the programme and stated that many people struggled to join zoom calls and were therefore not able to vote. The Member felt that as there was no real lockdown in place at the time the process could have been undertaken in person with the necessary social distancing in place. The Member stated that not everyone was not digitally equipped or confident to take part in virtual meetings.

The Member also noted his concerns that monies were being awarded to projects outside of Blaenau Gwent.

The Service Manager Policy and Partnerships noted the concerns and advised that although the situation was not ideal the Council needed to be mindful of the pandemic and take forward the project from a public safety aspect. It was added that the process was carried in the safest manner and followed the Gwent Region processes. The Service Manager appreciated the digital platform could be restricted obviously with the restrictions in place there was a need to take forward the process in the most appropriate way.

In terms of monies being awarded outside of Blaenau Gwent, the Service Manager advised that the organisations maybe based outside of the Borough but they operated within the Borough as the services were for the people of Blaenau Gwent.

The Service Manager continued that the monies had now been distributed with contracts signed and projects were now in the delivery stage. The outcomes of the projects would be presented next year and although some concerns had been raised it was felt that the events were welcomed.

The Policy Officer (PSB) added that the Council controlled the funding and project plans would be monitored going forward to ensure their plans was on track to deliver the projects. An update on projects would be presented to the next Committee.

The Committee AGREED the report and accepted the report as provided prior to it being submitted to the Public Services Board (Option 1).

Councillor M. Moore left the meeting at this juncture.