Contact Officer: Angela Cristofoli (Communities and Neighbourhoods Manager); 01865 252688, acristofoli@oxford.gov.uk

Angela Cristofoli (Communities and Neighbourhoods manager) submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) providing an update on Community Centres.

Introduction

The Committee welcomed Angela Cristofoli (Communities and Neighbourhoods Manager) and Mark Spriggs (Neighbourhood Locality Officer) to the meeting.

Angela Cristofoli informed the Committee that she was buying in support from “Community Matters” as this was targeted help for people associated with Community Centres. It was important to recognise that Community centres are largely run and managed by volunteers.  Every centre had been audited and user satisfaction surveys have been carried out.  She would like to investigate in more depth who uses the centres and for what purposes.  It is suggested that an Oxford Standard for Community Centres is developed.

Additional information

The following information was provided in response to questions from members of the Committee:-

• It is noted that the Council should be careful that it does not take away business from local concerns – for example cafes – where similar ventures are run in the Community Centres;
• There are internet cafes at several Community Centres – for example at Blackbird Leys, Barton and Northway. There are work clubs at Barton and Littlemore;
• The Communities and Neighbourhoods team is also trying to work in partnership with the library at Blackbird Leys – they are trying to complement ventures and activities already in existence, and they want to help people learn how to do more things online;
• Some Community Centres are providing outlets for enterprise, such as a cake baking project at Wood Farm that is known as “Muffin Mums”;
• Recycling at Community Centres is a complicated procedure, but it is hoped that all centres will be signed up for this shortly;
• The Council’s vision for the future of Community centres is a much wider topic for debate, but the main aim for now is to have all the centres functioning well. There is the question too of their geographical setting – are they in the right place in their community?
• Asset management is addressing the question of the maintenance backlog at the Community Centres, and Communities and Neighbourhoods is working in partnership with them on this. A maintenance plan for Community centres has been drawn up.
• A lot of work is being done with volunteers – on recruiting them, supporting them and developing their skills;
• It is noted that Marston does not have a designated Community centre, but it does have Mortimer Hall and a Scout Hut, and outreach work is ongoing in the area;
• Although the comments about the importance of any buildings being pleasant to be in were noted, it is important to ask who measures this. Could this be part of the customer satisfaction survey perhaps?
• It would be useful for Community Associations to visit other Community Centres  in other parts of the country in order to look at examples of best practice and see form themselves how things could be done differently;
• The Council needs to make its buildings safe, and it needs to pay heed to child protection issues, but it is important not to frighten potential volunteers away! There is an issue with attracting younger volunteers, but there will be a volunteer fair in February and some work is being carried out with student volunteers;
• Lots of Community Associations are now sharing best practice and trying to build up their support networks.

The Committee expressed the view that the health check carried out by Communities and Neighbourhoods was preferable to the “Visible” standard for Community Centres.

Angela Cristofoli explained that her team was working on a scheme to define a minimum standard for Oxford’s Community Centres. There would be an agreed route for assessment on a gold, silver or bronze scale. Discussions are now taking place about the establishment of such a scheme. The Committee felt that this would be a very valuable move, and that it would like to see a simple agreement with Community Centres that defined what was expected from them and what support they could expect in return.

Resolved:-

(1)    To thank Angela Cristofoli and Mark Spriggs for their attendance, and to thank the whole team for its valuable work;

(2)    To note that a conditions survey has been carried out, and to request that a copy of it and a copy of the maintenance programme be supplied to the Committee.