Agenda item

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Officer Commercial & Customer which presented the quarter 1 (April - June 2021) progress update against the Commercial Strategy.

The Chief Officer Commercial and Customer spoke to the report and highlighted the main points contained therein.

A Member referred to Community Hubs and raised concerns regarding communication in relation to operating times and the services provided within the Community Hub in Blaina.  He felt that the Blaina hub should be open weekly, the same as Abertillery, Tredegar, Brynmawr and Ebbw Vale, to enable residents to access services more frequently and increase the number of people using the hub.  He felt that advertising on facebook did not cover all generations of the public.  The Chief Officer Commercial and Customer reassured the Member that they were looking at more traditional forms of communication such as flyers in GP surgeries and shops etc. to reach as many residents as possible to ensure they were made aware of this service.  With regard to the operating schedule this was a developmental and live approach and would take account of the amount of queries coming from residents and demand for the service.  She advised the Member that a revised operating schedule was planned for quarter 2 onwards.

Another Member commented that Community Hubs were working well and brought services closer to the public.  In relation to the Brynmawr Community Hub, he raised concerns regarding privacy and felt that rooms should be available for private discussion.  He also pointed out that there was no signage outside the building to indicate that it was a Community Hub.  The Chief Officer Commercial & Customer said they were currently operating in a particular space and agreed there may be occasions when a resident may want a more private conversation and would look to ensure that that facility was available to residents.  With regard to signage, the Community Hub could only operate on the day that the Library was closed due to national restrictions at the time.   Library staff had erected signs indicating when the Community Hub was open and she would look to continue this practice going forward.

A Member commented that Community Hubs were proving successful and felt that they were the front door of the local Authority and individual towns and should cater for the whole of Blaenau Gwent to ensure that everyone has access to services.  The Member referred to the Strategic Commissioning and Commercial Board (SCCB) and enquired if investment possibilities would be presented to full Council.  The Chief Officer Commercial & Customer said that any investment would go through the democratic process, the Strategic Commissioning and Commercial Board (SCCB) were looking at early opportunities, and all democratic arrangements and processes would be followed in line with the Council’s Constitution.

The Corporate Director of Regeneration & Community Services supported the Chief Officer Commercial & Customer’s comments and said that as a Member led Authority any opportunities that arise from commercial activity would go through the democratic process for Members consideration on whether to support and implement them.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and endorse Option 1; namely that the quarter 1 progress update against the Commercial Strategy be endorsed.