Advisory Panels Terms of Reference

In this section:

Communities and Funding Advisory Panel

Purpose of the Communities and Funding Advisory Panel

To provide the Executive Board with advice and policy development support on community leadership and engagement, community funding issues and the community rights contained within the Localism Act 2011.

To support a programme of projects eligible for UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) under the theme of Communities and Place.

To submit the UKSPF programme of projects Wychavon’s UKSPF Programme management group for agreement and funding approval.

Membership of the Communities and Funding Advisory Panel 

  • Six district councillors with representation from more than one political party on the council. In addition, the panel can appoint up to three community representatives, who are not district councillors.
  • Additional members with relevant expertise may be co-opted to the panel to recommend projects to be included in the UKSPF programme.
  • Panel members will be appointed on an annual basis.
  • The panel is not required to be politically balanced.
  • The chair of the panel will be appointed by the Executive Board.
  • The Executive Board member for community engagement, culture and sport will attend panel meetings and provide a link to and from the Board.
  • The panel will be supported by senior and service managers and other officers as appropriate.
  • Any co-opted members will be appointed by means of external advertisement for an initial period of two years and, if required, may serve for a maximum of four years.

General Responsibilities of the Communities and Funding Advisory Panel

  1. To advise the Executive Board and council on community leadership and engagement issues, including emerging government policy and guidance.
  2. To oversee the delivery of relevant council promises as directed by the Board.
  3. To consider, assess and advise on New Homes Bonus and Community Legacy Grant funding applications from parish and town parish councils and to make recommendations to the Executive Board in accordance with the Wychavon New Homes Bonus Protocol.
  4. To consider Wychavon community grant applications and make recommendations to the Board.
  5. To consider requests to allocate Section 106 contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions and to make recommendations to the Executive Board.
  6. To advise and make recommendations on any approaches in relation to the community rights contained within the Localism Act 2011 including the community rights to bid and challenge.
  7. To oversee the Meet Your Council programme and other corporate community engagement initiatives.
  8. To develop stronger working relationships across all three local government tiers and to actively engage with parish and town councils.
  9. To develop an annual work plan aligned to the council’s strategic priorities and contribute to the development of new promises.
  10. From time to time, to organise panel sponsored events on behalf of the Executive Board including Partners Together and parish council events.
  11. To report annually to the Board.

UKSPF Responsibilities of the Communities and Funding Advisory Panel

  1. To develop a programme and agree projects prepared by the Communities & Strategic Projects Manager which support the Supporting People priority in the Wychavon Strategy 2020-2040 and deliver outputs and outcomes of Wychavon’s UKSPF Investment Plan under its Communities and Place priority. Projects will deliver against any of the following UKSPF intervention headings:

E3: Creation and improvements to local green spaces;

E4: Enhancing the existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions offer;

E6: Local arts, cultural, heritage & creative activities;

E9: Impactful volunteering and/or social action projects;

E10: Local sports facilities, tournaments, teams and leagues;

E11: Capacity building and infrastructure support for local groups; and

E12: Community Engagement schemes, local regeneration.

  1. A budget of £890,000 covering the period April 2022 to March 2025 is allocated to fund eligible projects of which £175,500 is Capital and £714,500 is Revenue.
  2. The suitability of projects will be assessed against their ability to achieve the following Outputs and Outcomes:

Outputs of the Communities and Funding Advisory Panel

  • 4 rehabilitated premises;
  • 1,200 sqm of rehabilitated land;
  • 120 sqm of land made wheelchair accessible/step free;
  • 16 organisations receiving financial support other than grants;
  • 16 organisations receiving grants;
  • 16 organisations receiving non-financial support;
  • 2 Neighbourhood improvements undertaken;
  • 18 Local community events or activities supported;
  • 10 Facilities supported or created;
  • 1,100 sqm of green or blue space created or improved;
  • 2 new or improved cycleways or footpaths;
  • 1,200 sqm of new or improved cycleways or footpaths;
  • 2 Tourism, Culture or heritage assets created or improved;
  • 2 Events/participatory programmes;
  • 195 Volunteering opportunities supported;
  • 4 Projects;
  • 4 Tournaments/leagues/teams supported;
  • 40 People attending training sessions.

Outcomes of the Communities and Funding Advisory Panel

  • E3: 10% increase in visitor numbers;
  • E4: 10% increase in footfall and 10% increase in visitor numbers;
  • E6: 10% increase in visitor numbers;
  • E9: 10% improvement in engagement numbers, 12 new volunteers due to support;
  • E10: 10% increase in users of facilities/amenities;
  • E11: 10% improvement in engagement numbers;
  • E12: 10% improvement in engagement numbers.
  1. The Communities & Strategic Projects Manager will provide UKSPF programme progress reports and be responsible for ensuring approved projects are delivered in line with allocated budgets and achieve the agreed Outputs and Outcomes within the agreed delivery timetable.

Arrangements for meetings of the Communities and Funding Advisory Panel

  • The panel will meet approximately every two to three months with a programme of dates agreed and published in advance.
  • The panel may meet at the Civic Centre or at any other venue which the panel considers is most appropriate for carrying out its work.
  • Meetings are not required to be open to the public but it is expected that the panel will normally meet in public and minutes of its meetings will be published on the council’s website.
  • Other councillors and members of the public may attend as observers.
  • The panel performs an advisory role. It will make recommendations to the Executive Board as appropriate, but it cannot make decisions on behalf of the Executive Board.
  • Meetings are intended to be informal and to operate by consensus. However, if a vote is necessary the chair will conduct this as if the council’s procedure rules on voting applied.  Non-councillor representatives will not be eligible to vote.
  • The panel may set up task and finish groups to progress specific activities between panel meetings, including joint task and finish groups where issues cross the remits of more than one panel.

In accordance with the council’s members’ allowances scheme, community representatives may be reimbursed for expenses incurred from being part of the panel.

Rural Matters Advisory Panel

Purpose of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

To provide the Executive Board with advice and policy development support on rural matters relevant to the district, including rural housing, community transport, rural crime and development of the rural economy.

To support a programme of projects eligible for UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) under the theme of Communities and Place and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) under the themes of supporting rural business and supporting rural communities.

To submit the UKSPF programme of projects Wychavon’s UKSPF Programme management group for agreement and funding approval.

Membership of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

  • Six district councillors with representation from more than one political party on the council. In addition, the panel can appoint up to three community representatives, who are not district councillors.
  • Additional members with relevant expertise may be co-opted to the panel to recommend projects to be included in the UKSPF and REPF programmes.
  • Panel members will be appointed on an annual basis.
  • The panel is not required to be politically balanced.
  • The chair of the panel will be appointed by the Executive Board.
  • The Executive Board member for planning, infrastructure and urban design and the Board member for housing, health and well being will attend panel meetings and provide a link to and from the Board.
  • The panel will be supported by senior and service managers and other officers as appropriate.
  • Any co-opted members will be appointed by means of external advertisement for an initial period of two years and, if required, may serve for a maximum of four years.

Responsibilities of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

  1. To advise the Executive Board and council on rural matters relevant to the district, including emerging government policy and guidance.
  2. To oversee the delivery of relevant council promises as directed by the Board.
  3. To promote, encourage and advise on solutions to rural challenges such as broadband, housing, rural crime and transport.
  4. To consider, as required by the Board, any applications for funding or specific partnership and investment projects which affect rural areas of the district.
  5. To consider neighbourhood planning projects (post designation until adoption) and make recommendations to the Board.
  6. To promote the Village of Culture competition, to consider applications and make recommendations to the Board.
  7. To engage with and develop strong working relationships with organisations who support the rural economy and communities, such as local colleges, representative bodies and rural employers.
  8. To develop an annual work plan aligned to the council’s strategic priorities and contribute to the development of new promises.
  9. From time to time, to organise panel sponsored events.
  10. To report annually to the Board.

UKSPF/REPF Responsibilities of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

  1. To support a programme and agree projects prepared by the Rural Economic Development Officer which support the Strong Economy and Places priority in the Wychavon Strategy 2020-2040 and deliver the outputs and outcomes of Wychavon’s UKSPF Investment Plan under its Communities and Place priority and the REPF Addendum Plan under the Supporting Rural Business and Supporting Rural Communities priorities. Projects will deliver against any of the following intervention headings:

UKSPF 

E1: Improvements to town centres & high streets;

E2: Community & neighbourhood infrastructure projects; and

E4: Enhancing existing cultural, historic & heritage institutions offer.

REPF:

1.1: capital grant funding for small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas;

1.2: capital grant funding for growing the local social economy and supporting innovation;

1.3: capital grant funding for developing and promoting the visitor economy;

2.2: capital grant funding for investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups;

2.3: capital grant funding for creation and improvements to local rural green spaces;

2.6: capital grant funding for active travel enhancements in the local area;

A budget of £270,000 covering the period April 2022 to March 2025 is allocated from the UKSPF to fund eligible projects of which £164,560 is Capital and £105,440 is Revenue.

A budget of £819,286 is allocated from the REPF to fund eligible projects all of which are Capital funds.

The suitability of projects will be assessed against their ability to achieve the following Outputs and Outcomes:

UKSPF Outputs of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

  • 15 commercial buildings developed or improved;
  • 3,000sqm of commercial buildings developed or improved;
  • 4 rehabilitated premises;
  • 5,000sqm of public realm created or improved;
  • 2 organisations receiving financial support other than grants;
  • 12 organisations receiving grants;
  • 22 organisations receiving non-financial support;
  • 50 Neighbourhood improvements undertaken;
  • 10 Facilities supported or created;
  • 20 Local activities or events supported;
  • 2 Tourism, culture or heritage assets created or improved;
  • 2 Events/participatory programmes.

REPF Outputs of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

  • 15 of businesses supported;
  • 5 farm diversification projects supported;
  • 5 of micro businesses supported;
  • 1 of community energy projects funded;
  • 100sqm of rehabilitated land or premises;
  • 1km of new or improved cycleways or paths.

UKSPF Outcomes of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

  • E1: 10% increase in footfall;
  • E2: 5% increase in users of facilities/amenities;
  • E4: 10% increase in footfall & 10% increase in visitor numbers.

REPF Outcomes of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

  • 25 of businesses experiencing growth;
  • 15 Businesses with improved productivity;
  • 5 Businesses adopting new to the firm technologies;
  • 10% users of facilities or amenities;
  • 10% Increased footfall;
  • 10% Increased use of cycleways or paths;

The Rural Economic Development Officer will provide reports on progress of the UKSPF  and REPF programmes and be responsible for ensuring approved projects are delivered in line with allocated budgets and achieve the agreed Outputs and Outcomes within the agreed delivery timetable.

Arrangements for meetings of the Rural Matters Advisory Panel

  • The panel will meet approximately every two to three months with a programme of dates agreed and published in advance.
  • The panel may meet at the Civic Centre or at any other venue which the panel considers is most appropriate for carrying out its work.
  • Meetings are not required to be open to the public but it is expected that the panel will normally meet in public and minutes of its meetings will be published on the council’s website.
  • Other councillors and members of the public may attend as observers.
  • The panel performs an advisory role. It will make recommendations to the Executive Board as appropriate, but it cannot make decisions on behalf of the Executive Board.
  • Meetings are intended to be informal and to operate by consensus. However, if a vote is necessary the chair will conduct this as if the council’s procedure rules on voting applied.  Non-councillor representatives will not be eligible to vote.
  • The panel may set up task and finish groups to progress specific activities between panel meetings, including joint task and finish groups where issues cross the remits of more than one panel.
  • In accordance with the council’s members’ allowances scheme, community representatives may be reimbursed for expenses incurred from being part of the panel.

Town Centres Advisory Panel

Purpose of the Town Centres Advisory Panel

To provide the Executive Board with advice and policy development support on matters relevant to the district’s three towns, including town centre master planning, revitalisation and investment.

To develop a programme of projects eligible for UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) under the themes of Communities & Place and Supporting Local Business.

Additional members with relevant interests may be co-opted to the panel to recommend projects to be included in the UKSPF programme.

Membership of the Town Centres Advisory Panel

  • Six district councillors with representation from more than one political party on the council. In addition, the panel can appoint up to three community representatives, who are not district councillors.
  • Additional members with relevant expertise may be co-opted to the panel to recommend projects to be included in the UKSPF programme.
  • Panel members will be appointed on an annual basis.
  • The panel is not required to be politically balanced.
  • The chair of the panel will be appointed by the Executive Board.
  • The Executive Board members for economic growth and tourism and the Board member for transformation, efficiency and town centre revitalisation will attend panel meetings and provide a link to and from the Board.
  • The panel will be supported by senior and service managers and other officers as appropriate.
  • Any co-opted members will be appointed by means of external advertisement for an initial period of two years and, if required, may serve for a maximum of four years.

Responsibilities of the Town Centres Advisory Panel

  1. To advise the Executive Board and council on matters relevant to the district’s three towns, including emerging government policy and guidance.
  2. To oversee the delivery of relevant council promises as directed by the Board.
  3. To provide detailed input to and oversee the development of the masterplans for Droitwich Spa, Evesham and Pershore.
  4. On behalf of the Board, to ensure the implementation of any agreed masterplanning.
  5. To consider, as required by the Board, any applications for funding or specific partnership and investment projects which affect the district’s towns and to advise the Board on any funding opportunities.
  6. On behalf of the Board, to oversee and advise on the Future High Streets Fund , or any successor fund where it impacts on any towns in the district
  7. To oversee the delivery of the Wychavon Tourism Action Plan 2019-2024.
  8. To support the development or implementation of any Town Plans and Neighbourhood Plans where such plans are promoted by the towns.
  9. To engage with and develop strong working relationships with the three town councils and other organisations whose work supports the revitalisation of the towns.
  10. If required by the Board, to consider any car parking matters that affect the towns.
  11. To develop an annual work plan aligned to the council’s strategic priorities and contribute to the development of new promises.
  12. From time to time, to organise panel sponsored events.
  13. To report annually to the Board.

UKSPF Responsibilities of the Town Centres Advisory Panel

  1. To develop a programme and agree projects prepared by the Place Projects Manager which support the Strong Economy and Place priority in the Wychavon Strategy 2020-2040, the Tourism Action Plan and deliver the outputs and outcomes of Wychavon’s UKSPF Investment Plan under the Communities and Place and Supporting Local Business priorities.
  2. Projects will deliver against any of the following UKSPF intervention headings:

E8: Campaigns to encourage visits and exploring of the local area; and

E17: Development and promotion of a visitor economy.

  1. A budget of £295,000 covering the period April 2022 to March 2025 is allocated to fund eligible projects of which £115,000 is Capital and £180,000 is Revenue.
  2. The suitability of projects will be assessed against their ability to achieve the following Outputs and Outcomes:

Outputs of the Town Centres Advisory Panel

  • 4 organisations receiving financial support other than grants;
  • 4 organisations receiving grants;
  • 4 organisations receiving non-financial support;
  • 215,000 people reached;
  • 50 businesses receiving non-financial support;
  • 10 tourism, culture or heritage assets created or improved; and
  • 25 events or activities supported.

Outcomes of the Town Centres Advisory Panel

  • E8: 10% increase in visitor numbers;
  • E8: 10% increase in number of web searches for a place;
  • E17: 10% increase in footfall; and
  • E17: 10% increase in visitor spending.
  1. The Place Projects Manager will provide reports on progress of the UKSPF programme and be responsible for ensuring approved projects are delivered in line with allocated budgets and achieve the agreed Outputs and Outcomes within the agreed delivery timetable.

Arrangements for meetings of the Town Centres Advisory Panel

  • The panel will meet approximately every two to three months with a programme of dates agreed and published in advance.
  • The panel may meet at the Civic Centre or at any other venue which the panel considers is most appropriate for carrying out its work.
  • Meetings are not required to be open to the public but it is expected that the panel will normally meet in public and minutes of its meetings will be published on the council’s website.
  • Other councillors and members of the public may attend as observers.
  • The panel performs an advisory role. It will make recommendations to the Executive Board as appropriate, but it cannot make decisions on behalf of the Executive Board.
  • Meetings are intended to be informal and to operate by consensus. However, if a vote is necessary the chair will conduct this as if the council’s procedure rules on voting applied.  Non-councillor representatives will not be eligible to vote.
  • The panel may set up task and finish groups to progress specific activities between panel meetings, including joint task and finish groups where issues cross the remits of more than one panel.
  • In accordance with the council’s members’ allowances scheme, community representatives may be reimbursed for expenses incurred from being part of the panel.
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