Meetings

BOLSOVER LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

 

EXECUTIVE SUPPORT GROUP

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership Executive Support Group held on Thursday, 9th June, 2005, at 9.30 a.m., Committee Room No. 1, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover.

PRESENT

 

Mrs. M. Chambers                -           North Eastern Derbyshire PCT (Chair)

Miss D. Row                          -           Education and Training Action Group

Mrs. J. H. Wilkinson              -           Health and Wellbeing Action Group

Ms. T. Glover             -           INVOLVE

Mr. T. Whatton                       -           INVOLVE

Councillor B. Murray-Carr    -           Bolsover Community Safety Partnership

Mr. B. Strutt                            -           Derbyshire County Council

Mrs. C. Hopwood                  -           INVOLVE

Mr. K. Hollingworth                -           Employment and Transport Action Group

Mr. R. Colgrave                     -           PACCT

Miss S. Childs                       -           PACCT

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Mr. S. Hall                              -           Alliance SSP

Mrs. M. Chambers in the Chair

ESG12/05      APOLOGIES

 

                        Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

                        Mr. T. Trafford            -           Housing and the Environment Action

                                                                        Group

                        Mr. J. Young               -           Education and Training Action Group

                        Councillor E. Watts   -           Bolsover District Council

                        Mr. W. Lumley            -           Bolsover District Council

                        Mr. P. Gamble           -           Government Office for the East

                                                                        Midlands

                        Mrs. P. Brown            -           PACCT

ESG13/05      ALLIANCE SSP – STATE OF THE DISTRICT

 

                        The Chair welcomed Mr. S. Hall, Alliance SSP, and explained that he had been invited as a consequence of concerns raised at a previous Executive Support Group meeting in relation to a report entitled “State of the District”.

                        Mr. Hall stated that when the Alliance SSP commenced preparations for production of the Business Plan during 2005, it had become apparent that although information was available for the Sub Region, a considerable amount was topical evidence.  It was, therefore, felt that in order to make the Business Plan more credible, that evidence was required to support the information contained within the document.  The information collated, i.e. employment, local economy etc., was from a variety of sources, in differing formats and most of which had different dates which made it difficult to produce coherent data.  An organisation named “Local Futures” was commissioned to produce the document due to its access to statistical data.  The final document was entitled “State of the Alliance SSP area” – “The State of the District” was a summary and did not explain how the statistical information was derived.  No specific action had been taken on the strength of the information contained within the document.  The value of the document was the way in which it compared the Alliance SSP region against the other Sub Regions within the UK, of which there were 52.  It was considered that the final document was valuable, although it was acknowledged the information was out of date.

                        Councillor Murray-Carr commented that Elected Members were extremely concerned with regard to the content of the document and queried the consultation process.  He also mentioned that problems had been created for the Bolsover Community Safety Partnership due to the extremely critical information contained within the document in relation to community safety.  The document did not state that it was a pictorial view of the District and that a comparative document was available to highlight work which had been undertaken to move things forward.   It would have been preferred if an opportunity had been given to comment on the content of the document.

                        Mr. Hall explained that consultation had taken place and also that the Board of the Alliance SSP had discussed and agreed the document – Bolsover District Council was represented on the Board.  He added that before the report was published on the website, a major consultation event had taken place at Biocity, Nottingham during September/October 2004 and representatives of Bolsover District Council had attended.  Mr. Hall did, however, agree that with hindsight it may not have been appropriate to publish the “State of the District” document on the website and that if required by Bolsover District Council, the document would be removed from the website.

                        Ms. Glover commented that the Alliance SSP had previously undertaken a presentation to the Local Strategic Partnership and that one of the issues raised was a need to improve relationships between both Partnerships.  She requested that protocols, and mechanisms, be introduced to ensure that the problems experienced by the publication of the “State of the District” document did not recur.

                        Mr. Whatton queried community and voluntary sector representation onto the Alliance SSP Board as he felt there should be a link.  Mr. Hall stated that there were currently three community and voluntary sector members on the Board and equivalent on the Commissioning Panels (Issue Groups).  The community and voluntary sector was well represented in the decision making process.

                        Mr. Hollingworth commented that statistics should always be contextual and queried whether a report had been prepared to highlight work undertaken to remedy any statistical comments.  Mr. Hall advised that the main report offers more details on the context and methodology used and that the two documents should be read together.  The document does not, however, attempt to address what, if any, remedial action has been taken or is planned.

                        Mr. Hall reported that the Alliance SSP had established a Local Strategic Partnership Forum which met on a quarterly basis and that Mrs. P. Brown was the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership’s representative.  Mrs. Wilkinson requested that feedback from these meetings be provided to the Executive Support Group .

                        The Chair commented that the discussion had highlighted the need to improve linkages with the Alliance SSP.

                        Mr. Hall apologised, on the Alliance SSP’s behalf, for publishing the “State of the District” on the website, particularly with regard to not setting out the context against which the document had been produced.

                        The Chair thanked Mr. Hall for attending the meeting and answering the questions raised.

AGREED       that (1) Mrs. Brown provide regular feedback of the Local Strategic Partnership Forum to future Executive Support Group meetings, and

                                 (2) the comments be noted.

Mr. S. Hall left the meeting at 10.10 a.m.

ESG14/05      MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING OF THE EXECUTIVE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING HELD ON 28TH APRIL, 2005

 

                        ESG03/05 – Social Outcomes Concordat – Miss Childs reported that Bolsover District Council had approved the Social Outcomes Concordat as reported at the last meeting of the Executive Support Group and that agreement was being sought with partners to provide new and better outcomes for local people.  Mr. Strutt requested that the final report be submitted to the next meeting of the Executive Support Group for consideration.

AGREED       that the final report be submitted to the next meeting of the Executive Support Group for consideration.

ESG02/05 – Building Schools for the Future – Ms. Glover reported that the Involve Action Group had discussed this matter and members had expressed an interest in being involved in any discussion/consultation at a local level.  She also requested that the schools put in place some form of mechanism to ensure this consultation took place.  The Chair suggested that the Education and Training Action Group be made aware of this request.

                        Ms. Glover advised that it had been agreed to organise a joint seminar to enable discussion about schools for the future in the District for the coming year.

ESG09/05 – Action Groups/INVOLVE Progress – Councillor Murray-Carr queried whether the Constitution had been checked.  The Chair advised that this matter would be discussed later in the Agenda.  Mrs. Hopwood clarified that the issue within the Constitution was in relation to restricting the voting, not attendance at meetings.

ESG05/05 – Matters Arising - ESG71/04 – Community Strategy Review – Miss Childs reported that 25 tenders had been received and that 5 would be invited to provide further information to the Panel.  The Panel would consist of Mr. B. Strutt, Mrs. C. Hopwood, Mrs. M. Chambers, Councillor E. Watts, Mr. W. Lumley and Mrs. P. Brown.  Presentations would take place on 23rd June, 2005.

ESG07/05 – Draft Proposal for Amendments to Executive Support Group Composition and Terms of Reference – Miss Childs reported that any comments had been incorporated into the document and that this had been approved by Board and under delegated authority to Chair and Vice-Chair.  The County, District, Parish Councils and INVOLVE have been asked to identify the representatives to sit at the Executive Support Group .  Mrs. Wilkinson advised that she had been nominated by the INVOLVE Action Group and would, therefore, resign as Health and Well Being representative.

ESG06/05 – Performance Management – Miss Childs explained that a series of meetings/events, facilitated by a Neighbourhood Renewal Advisor, had been taking place in order that the Performance Management Framework and Improvement Plans could be submitted to Government Office for the East Midlands before the end of June 2005.  The Executive Support Group was asked to consider what assessment they would give partnership working in terms of the traffic light assessment.  After a brief discussion, it was suggested that mechanisms be put in place to improve linkages with other agencies, in particular the private sector.  The Chair asked that any further comments be forwarded to the Partnership and Community Co-ordination Team by no later than Wednesday, 15th June, 2005.  Mr. Whatton suggested including that the Partnership was extending its membership to include youth.

AGREED       that the Minutes of the Executive Support Group meeting held on 28th April, 2005 , be approved as a true and correct record.

ESG15/05      INVOLVE AND ACTION GROUP FEEDBACK

 

                        INVOLVE

 

                        Mrs. Hopwood circulated and briefly explained the report. 

Miss Childs explained that the Project Directory had been produced as a reference document for project contacts as a direct response to a request.

It was noted that the Executive Support Group representative was Mrs. J. Wilkinson and not Miss D. Row as stated.

Councillor Murray-Carr mentioned that there was currently some confusion around which Community Safety Partnership meetings members of INVOLVE should attend.  He advised that it was the Strategy meetings that should be attended.  The Partnership and Community Co-ordination Team to forward details of all Action Group meetings to INVOLVE for information.

Ms. Glover advised that copies of the Constitution, Terms of Reference and contact details were available at the meeting if required.  It was also suggested that a copy of these documents be circulated with details of the next Executive Support Group meeting.

Mr. Strutt queried membership of the Steering Group for development of an infrastructure body.  Ms. Glover advised that meetings had been taking place with representatives of INVOLVE, Voluntary Action Bolsover, Government Office for the East Midlands, Derbyshire Rural Community Council and the Partnership and Community Co-ordination Team to consider the future of the community and voluntary sector within the District.  Two proposals were currently being prepared -Change Up and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.  All those involved were working together to ensure the future sustainability of both sectors within the District as one organisation.

Mrs. Wilkinson left the meeting at 10.45 a.m.

AGREED       that (1) a copy of the Constitution, Terms of Reference and contact details be circulated with details of the next Executive Support Group meeting, and,

                                (2) the report and comments be noted.

Bolsover Community Safety Partnership

 

Councillor Murray-Carr reported that the Partnership had produced its first newsletter.  Copies of the Community Safety Strategy were also available.  He also mentioned that he would be contacting the Health and Well Being Action Group regarding concerns about alcohol.

Councillor Murray-Carr had been invited to a Conference in London to discuss the success of the Bolsover Community Safety Partnership and anti social behaviour work.  The Partnership was also involved in a pilot exercise within the County for the Neighbourhood Policing initiative.

An Alcohol Action Working Group had been established.  Two representatives will visit all public houses in Bolsover regarding the Pub Watch Scheme.  Alcohol Free Zones would be introduced in Bolsover – they already existed in Shirebrook and Clowne.

AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

Education and Training Action Group

 

Councillor Murray-Carr reported that discussions had been taking place with Mr. A. Charles, Derbyshire County Council, regarding tackling school exclusion using the Community Safety approach, i.e. utilising legislation through the Anti Social Behaviour.  Miss Row commented that this was included within the Action Plan.  The Chair requested that Mr. J. Young be informed of this.

Miss Childs mentioned that a scheme was currently operating in Shirebrook and that this model was to be utilised in Creswell as part of the commissioning process which they may wish to link into.

Ms. Glover reported that the Living Literacy project was considered to be a huge success.  An evaluation meeting was taking place in the near future – results showed an increase in standards over two months.

Mr. Strutt commented that he was surprised that Building Schools for the Future was not mentioned.  Miss Row advised that this was on the Agenda for the next meeting.

 

AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

Community Health and Wellbeing

 

The Chair circulated and briefly explained the report.

AGREED       that the report be received.

Housing and the Environment Action Group

 

AGREED       that the report be received.

Employment and Transport

 

Miss Childs advised that following the Away Day held on 19th April, 2005, it had been strongly recommended that the Employment and Transport Action Group be separated.  Mr. S. Lee, Co-ordinator of CHART LSP had raised the potential of a merger of the Bolsover and CHART Local Strategic Partnership’s transport issues into one Group.

After a brief discussion it was agreed in principle to merge with CHART and that discussions continue in order to ensure that all the appropriate mechanisms and links be put in place regarding report back/communication and the implications to the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership decision making.  This to be discussed further at the next meeting of the Executive Support Group .

AGREED       that (1) the Employment and Transport Action Group be separated,

                                (2) Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership Transport Group merge with CHART Local Strategic Partnership, subject to the appropriate mechanisms and links being put in place

                                (3) this matter be discussed further at the next meeting of the Executive Support Group , and

                                (4) the report and comments be noted.

ESG16/05      LOCAL AREA AGREEMENT UPDATE

 

                        Miss Childs stated that the report had been presented to the Board on 13th May, 2005.  A supplementary paper had been supplied which detailed the proposed governance arrangements, however, there was no further detail available.  The Executive Support Group was advised that any comments would be submitted to the next meeting of the Derbyshire Partnership Forum scheduled to take place on 17th June, 2005.

                        Ms. Glover queried the community and voluntary sector representation and commented that the she felt the Local Strategic Partnership should be represented on the Derbyshire Partnership Forum.

                        Councillor Murray-Carr queried what the Derbyshire Partnership Forum was.  Mr. Strutt explained that it was the County-wide Local Strategic Partnership and that community and voluntary representatives were members.  It was also intended to invite Chairs of Local Strategic Partnerships to future meeting.  He also mentioned that the document had already been agreed and had been provided for information purposes.  Councillor Murray-Carr asked who to contact for any amendments.  Mr. Strutt suggested that contact be made with Mr. D. Lowe, Derbyshire County Council.

                        Ms. Glover commented that although the targets were Derbyshire-wide, it should be made clear that these must be underpinned with local action plans and targets.  If it was to be a Local Area Agreement, it must be “local”.  Mr. Strutt advised that in this instance “local” meant County-wide.  She also requested that a letter be sent to Derbyshire County Council to ensure that the Chair of the Local Strategic Partnership be invited to future meetings.   Mr. Strutt suggested sending a copy to the Regional Director.

                        The Chair requested that this item be a regular Agenda item.

AGREED       that (1) a letter be sent to Derbyshire County Council requesting that the Chair of the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership be invited to future meetings of the Derbyshire Partnership Forum; a copy to be sent to the Regional Director, and

                                (2) the comments be noted.

ESG17/05      LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION GROUP

 

                        Ms. Glover reported that she had attended a meeting of the Local Implementation Group last year.  The purpose of the Group was to promote social inclusion in the delivery of responsive locality children’s services.  It was suggested that Mrs. M. Banister, Connexions be the Partnership’s representative as she covered the Bolsover and CHART areas.

                        Due to the lack of clarity around Local Implementation Groups, it was suggested that Mrs. Banister be invited to undertake a presentation to a future meeting of the Executive Support Group .

AGREED       that Mrs. Banister, Connexions, be invited to undertake a presentation to a future meeting of the Executive Support Group .

ESG18/05      NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUND

 

                        Miss Childs stated that the Board would like to extend thanks to Action Groups for providing the commissioning briefs, however, they were keen to point out that they were looking at strong, strategic projects focused on delivery of floor targets which were not aspirational.

                        The Executive Support Group was asked to consider whether there were any existing projects that had operated in 2004/05 and continuing into the current financial which would be able to deliver any additional activity that would support progress towards achievement of floor targets.  There would, however, need to be a clear rationale and added value that the additional resources would provide towards delivery of the targets.  This information to be provided by 30th June in order that they could be considered at the next Executive Support Group meeting.

                        Action Groups were also asked to consider any additional activity/commissioning briefs that could be utilised as contingency projects.

                        Ms. Glover mentioned that the NRF proposal for the cross-cutting funding, i.e. Education and Training/Health and Well Being, through the community sector needed to be fast-tracked bearing in mind that the activities would take place through the summer holidays.  Miss Childs advised that concerns had been raised at the Board in particular to the lack of information contained within the commissioning brief.  The Action Group Chair had been requested to provide another more detailed commissioning brief – this had not yet been received.  A Proposal Form would not be issued until such time as the commissioning brief was received.

                        Mr. Whatton questioned whether the Partnership was on target in relation to commissioning of projects.  Miss Childs advised that the Partnership had already committed funding to projects continuing into this financial year and that there was a smaller allocation of funding available.

AGREED       that (1) Action Groups consider the possibility of existing projects delivering additional activity that would support progress towards achievement of floor targets,

                               (2) the Partnership and Community Co-ordination Team receive this information by 30th June, 2005, in order that it can be considered at the next meeting of the Executive Support Group , and

                                (3) the comments be noted.

ESG19/05      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

                        Miss Childs advised that members of the Executive Support Group had been provided, via the e-mail system, a copy of the Youth Council Proposal Form.  She asked members to consider the proposal and use the checklist included in the paperwork.  The checklist and authorisation note to be returned to the Partnership and Community Co-ordination Team by 17th June, 2005.

                        The Chair reported that Action Groups were being provided with details of reports in respect of the Local Development Framework.  Any comments and feedback from Action Groups is requested within the feedback reports to the next meeting of the Executive Support Group .

                        Miss Childs stated that the Bolsover Woodland Enterprise was looking for a nomination from the Local Strategic Partnership to sit on its Board of Directors.  The current Steering Group is scheduled to take place on 1st July, 2005.  After a brief discussion, it was agreed to refer this to the Employment Action Group.

                        Mr. Strutt commented that the Emda Board had discussed a report on the review of Sub-regional Strategic Partnerships.  It had been agreed to retain SSPs, but take back all the funding appraisal, administration  and monitoring of all funds.  An event was taking place at Ringwood Hall in the near future.  The SSP would cease to exist by the end of March.

                        Ms. Glover advised that the National Regeneration Conference would be taking place at Sheffield in the near future and that Junction Arts would be undertaking a presentation.

                        AGREED       that the comments be noted.

ESG20/05      DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

                        Thursday, 14th July, 2005, at 9.30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover