To receive an update from the Community Leadership Manager  – South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

The Chairman welcomed Nichola Holderness, Community Leadership Manager - South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (S&ELCP) to the Meeting and noted apologies for Alison Carlisle, Volunteer Co-Ordinator who was not able to be in attendance.

Members were presented with an update on the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Volunteer Scheme and work undertaken in the last six months, pages 81 to 90 of the Agenda refer.

The Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members on progress and confirmed that the term ‘trusted volunteers’ had been revised following the Overview Committee’s comments in October 2024.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• In relation to the East Lindsey Investment Fund, a Member queried the process that was in place to enable Parish Councils to access the fund.  In response, the Assistant Director (Community Leadership and Wellbeing) explained to Members that there were a number of opportunities available for communities and parish councils and that she could direct specific enquires from Members to the relevant officer.

• A Member queried whether volunteers in East Lindsey district were taking on roles that should have been allocated as paid employment.  In response, the Assistant Director (Community Leadership and Wellbeing) assured Members that none of the roles undertaken by volunteers were roles that should be performed by paid employees.

• A Member queried whether volunteering schemes were being implemented in the wider East Lindsey district.  In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members that the Volunteer Co-ordinator was looking at the volunteering offer for the whole of East Lindsey along with the rest of the Partnership.

• A Member highlighted that greater volunteering initiatives were being implemented in the south of the Partnership and that East Lindsey district should receive a greater share of the opportunities.

In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) explained to Members that the Council had additional funds to develop the scheme in East Lindsey and that the Volunteer Co-ordinator split her time between the three Councils.   Members were assured that a significant amount of work was being undertaken in the background and that the aim was to continue looking at ways to improve the offer for volunteering opportunities in East Lindsey.

Further to a discussion, it was agreed to request an update on progress with volunteering opportunities in 6 months’ time and to invite Councillor Sarah Devereaux as Portfolio Holder for Partnerships to provide further insight. 

• Councillor William Gray as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing advised Members that the Volunteer Co-ordinator had been active in supporting the training of the Age Friendly Ambassadors.  Members were further advised that the term ‘Age Friendly Ambassadors’ had recently been changed to ‘Ageing Well Ambassadors’.

• The Chairman noted the value of sharing information and signposting people to points of contact for volunteering opportunities.  In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) explained to Members that a communications campaign was in progress and that further information would be circulated in MPB.

• A Member commented that it was expected that 46% of the work undertaken to develop volunteering opportunities should be evidenced in East Lindsey district.

No further comments or questions were received.

The Chairman thanked Emily Spicer Assistant Director (Community Leadership and Wellbeing) and Nichola Holderness, Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) for the report.

Following which it was,

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.