The meeting focused on strengthening relationships between High Peak District Council and local town and parish councils. The main topics were the introduction of a new approach to enhance collaboration and communication, and a presentation by Beat the Cold, an energy advice service.

Strengthening Relationships with Town and Parish Councils

The council discussed a new approach to improve collaboration with town and parish councils. The aim is to create a cooperative framework that acknowledges the unique capacities and resources of each council. The approach includes:

• Engagement and Consultation: Initial engagement with town and parish councils through the parish assembly to gather their views.
• Working Group: Setting up a working group comprising members from the district council and parish assembly to scope and research potential ways forward.
• Statement of Intent and Action Plan: Developing a statement of intent and an action plan with milestones and targets to ensure progress.

Key Points Discussed:

• Communication: Emphasis on improving communication between councils and with the public. Suggestions included digital newsletters and a formal communication framework.
• Town Centre Partnerships: Support for town centre partnerships to address local regeneration needs. The approach should be community-led with support from the district council.
• Small Regeneration Projects Fund: Consideration of a fund for small regeneration projects, similar to a scheme in High Peak.
• Role of Parish Clerks: Recognition of the crucial role of parish clerks in facilitating communication and implementing projects.
• Youth Involvement: Suggestion to include young people in the consultation process to gather their views on local issues.
• Planning: Improving the planning process by offering training to parish councils and providing a guide to planning reasons to strengthen their input.

Beat the Cold Presentation

Fiona Miller from Beat the Cold presented an overview of their work. Beat the Cold is an energy advice service and charity operating in Staffordshire, offering support to vulnerable residents to combat fuel poverty and improve housing quality.

Key Points Discussed:

• Service Overview: Beat the Cold provides impartial energy advice, retrofit schemes, and support for vulnerable residents. They have a team of qualified home energy advisors.
• Performance Data: In the last 12 months, Beat the Cold supported 451 households in the moorlands, issued £60,000 in fuel vouchers, and provided food bank and water tariff support.
• Challenges and Capacity: Addressing capacity issues, especially during the energy crisis. Plans to expand the team and improve service delivery.
• Case Studies: Examples of support provided to a family in Cheadle and a retired couple in Leek, highlighting the impact of their services.
• Future Plans: Focus on sustainable solutions, including insulation and energy efficiency measures, and collaboration with local authorities and the NHS.

Councillor Questions:

• Capacity and Recruitment: Concerns about capacity and recruitment of home energy advisors. Fiona Miller assured that they are addressing these issues with strategic planning and recruitment.
• Long-term Solutions: Emphasis on providing long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. Beat the Cold is exploring sustainable interventions and pilot projects.
• Rural Residents: Ensuring that rural residents are not left behind. Beat the Cold is willing to analyze data and improve outreach to rural areas.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of improving collaboration with town and parish councils and the valuable work of Beat the Cold in supporting vulnerable residents.