Issue - meetings

The Panel is to receive a presentation update on Priority One, Improving Quality of Life for Local People.

Executive Councillor: B Pitt

By means of a report and presentation by the Community Services Manager (copies of which were appended in the Minute Book), the Priority One Delivery Update Quarter 2 Report was presented to the Panel.

The Panel heard that residents had historically reached out to the Citizens Advice Bureau when in crisis. By working in partnership with this and other agencies, Council staff were able to signpost residents to the most appropriate service to meet their needs. The Panel observed that it was reassuring to note that residents would be helped regardless of how they accessed the help required.

It was noted that a dedicated officer at Cambridge Skills was able to support residents wishing to further their employment and skills opportunities, and partnership working would be undertaken to ensure that support would be provided when residents in need were identified. The Panel suggested that it would be helpful to increase visibility on this opportunity to residents, following which, it was advised that this would be explored and brought back to the Panel in a future report.

Support for the work undertaken by officers was expressed by the Panel, and it was advised that a whole system approach would be the ideal. It was noted that the GP service could be the weak link within the system due to waiting times but that social prescribers were key to linking into the health service and it was further noted that monthly meetings between service providers were ongoing to streamline the processes involved and improving services for residents.