Agenda item

Job Centre LC and JM representatives trying to engage with the local communities as currently finding it very difficult. With universal credit bringing a lot more people in to the job centre, finding people are coming in with more diverse needs. Want to connect with the local communities to see how we can support them. We feel like we need to get more involved with the communities and how we can better connect with them.

PW: I run a community house, we could host a meeting with you and other partners to help connect to the community better.

JW: Could use the forums e-mail system to get the word out there.

Q: Where are with universal credit now?

A: We are doing quite well, it is still new but 85% plus have all been paid on time with no issues. There has been an influx of people coming into the centre. The main issue is that people aren’t understanding exactly what they need to provide to receive first payment, for example rent details which is now needed but was not before.

Also having a lot of people coming into the Northampton centre who haven’t been in for Northampton for long. It’s mainly identity and housing which are causing the most issues.

People at the Job Centre do want to help people, we are doing our best to support people.

JH: The fact that you’re here shows that you’re looking to connect and help.

Could get someone with better knowledge to come in and talk about Universal Credit in further detail.

ACTION: Invite to future forum.

JR: Soon having an organisations meeting, as many as 30 attending, would be good to be put in contact with those, they spread all over Northamptonshire.

St Andrews: provide vocation skills for people/community groups. May also be able to help with spaces and rooms for local community groups.

R&D: Saw a piece from Alter Ego Theatre Company, did a great piece on knife crime, they have done shows everywhere but Northampton and they are from Northampton. It’s a powerful piece that needs to be seen by young people in Northampton. Singing for Pleasure has been started. Northampton Carnival is on the 8^th June, if community groups would like to be involved please contact.

JR: Former police deputy recently died Brian Scarth, used to attend equality meetings in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

JR - Healthwatch – we pay particular attention to attendance of members and lately we’ve had people from BME groups not attending which can be an issue when trying to understand the full picture.

RP: The New Zealand shooting, although on the other side of the world has resonated with the local Muslim community, there has been additional patrols etc. Impacted all faith communities, not just the Muslim community.

Asian gold burglaries are still an issue, Metro Bank in town offer safety deposit boxes.

Northampton has a large Zimbabwean community, connect with the Zimwomen Group to see if we can help because of the cyclone impact.

ACTION: RP to contact Rutundo.

Town of Sanctuary: evening 20^th June.

L2L is the ToS youth group.

Globe project – we are all one world, no boundaries. Also got a group called safe haven, looking to bring over a vulnerable Syrian family, looking to secure sponsors. Been very much supported, university, R&D etc.

ACTION: MM, JW, JH, PW to meet to with AF to talk about specifics of the event on the 20^th June.

JR: There are strong links with people from the Middle East already within the town, for example the friends of Palestine group.