Meetings

BOLSOVER LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

 

EXECUTIVE SUPPORT GROUP

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership Executive Support Group held on Thursday, 24th November, 2005, at 9.30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover

PRESENT

 

Mr. J. Ford                             -           Housing & Environment Action Group

Ms. J. Ryalls                           -           Health & Wellbeing Action Group

Councillor B. Murray-Carr    -           Bolsover Community Safety Partnership

Councillor A. Tomlinson       -           Bolsover District Council

Mr. R. Colgrave                     -           Partnership Team

Mrs. L. Khella             -           Partnership Team

Mrs. T. Wilkinson                   -           INVOLVE

Ms. T. Glover             -           INVOLVE

Miss D. Row                          -           Education & Training Action Group

Mr. J. Young                           -           Education & Training Action Group

Miss N. Price                         -           Partnership Team

Mr. B. Strutt                            -           Derbyshire County Council

Mrs. P. Brown                        -           Partnership Team

Mr. W. Lumley                        -           Bolsover District Council

Mr. T. Trafford                        -           Housing & Environment Action Group

Mr. P. Gamble                       -           Government Office for the East Midlands

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Mr. A. Richardson                 -           Tellus 42

Mr. D. Williams                      -           Tellus 42

Mrs. Brown welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that, unfortunately, both the Chair and Vice-Chair were unable to attend, she, therefore, asked for nominations to chair the meeting.  Mr. Lumley was nominated as Chair.

Mr. W. Lumley in the Chair

ESG48/05      APOLOGIES

 

                        Mr. T. Whatton           -           INVOLVE

                        Councillor K. Reid     -           Parish/Town Councils

                        Councillor E. Watts   -           Vice Chair, Bolsover LSP

                        Mr. K. Hollingworth    -           Employment & Transport Action Group

                        Mrs. M. Chambers    -           Chair, Bolsover LSP

                        Mrs. C. Hopwood      -           INVOLVE

                        Insp. I. Palfreyman     -           Bolsover Community Safety Partnership

ESG49/05      MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SUPPORT GROUP HELD ON 13TH OCTOBER, 2005

 

AGREED       that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13th October, 2005 , be accepted as a true and correct record.

ESG50/05      MATTERS ARISING

                        ESG45/05 – Update on Performance Management Progress – Mrs. Brown referred to the letter received from Government Office for the East Midlands confirming the Partnership’s Neighbourhood Renewal Funding allocation for 2006/7 and 2007/8.  She stressed that the release of funding for 2007/08 would be dependent upon a review of performance management of the Partnership during the next financial year.    Councillor Murray-Carr queried whether it would be the performance of individual themes or the whole Partnership.  Mrs. Brown confirmed that the whole Partnership would be assessed and that it was extremely important to demonstrate progress against targets.

                        ESG44/05 – Performance – Monitoring and Evaluation Feedback (Action Groups/INVOLVE) – INVOLVE – Ms. Glover queried whether the meeting to discuss community and voluntary sector support had been rescheduled.  Mrs. Brown advised that the meeting would take place early in the New Year.

                        ESG44/05 – Performance – Monitoring and Evaluation Feedback (Action Groups/INVOLVE) – Education – Councillor Murray-Carr queried whether the recent announcement regarding Sure Start would have an affect on the Shirebrook Project.  The Chair answered that he was not aware of any changes which would affect the project.

ESG51/05      COMMUNITY STRATEGY – UPDATE (TELLUS 42)

                        Messrs. Williams and Richardson, Consultants from Tellus 42, undertook a presentation which provided an update on progress with the Community Strategy Review.  Details were provided in relation to the people who had been consulted and the thematic topics discussed.

                        Councillor Murray-Carr raised his concern at the level of engagement with Parish Councils.  Mr. Williams commented that maybe the focus should now be on the Parish Councils that do want to be involved in the Local Strategic Partnership process.   Mr. Richardson stressed the importance of Parish Councils being involved at the Parish Council Liaison Group.

                        Mr. Williams mentioned that there was some confusion in the area as to some of the services provided, e.g. what do the CAN Rangers do.  Ms. Ryalls queried what Bolsover did to promote the image and suggested that any successes be publicised more effectively. 

                        The Chair stated that at the Parish Council Liaison meeting held last week a debate had taken place regarding the benefits of partnership working.

                        Ms. Glover commented that she felt it was extremely important for the Partnership to produce a Cultural Strategy due to the geography of the District.

                        The Chair queried whether the Community Strategy would link into Derbyshire County Council, Regional and Sub-Regional Strategies.  Mr. Williams answered that strategic links were being made and that a meeting had been arranged to take place with the Alliance SSP this morning.

                        The Chair queried whether the vision within the Community Strategy would contain an overall ‘picture’ for the District.  Mr. Williams stated that he felt the Partnership should focus on strategic issues which identified where the next two years funding should be focused.   

                        Mr. Williams advised that it was intended to provide a working draft of the Community Strategy by Christmas which would be submitted to Action Groups to discuss outline strategies.  The final report would be available before the end of the financial year.

                        The Chair queried whether it was becoming evident that people wanted to engage with the Local Strategic Partnership.  Mr. Williams stated that the consultation process had indicated that people would be interested in receiving more information about the Partnership and would attend events one or twice a year.

                        Mrs. Khella commented that Action Groups should receive feedback from the Community Strategy Review as soon as possible as Action Plans were due to be reviewed and priorities agreed in order that as many projects as possible could commence during April 2006.

                        AGREED       that the comments be noted.

Mr. Williams/Mr. Richardson left the meeting at 10.35 a.m.

ESG52/05      PERFORMANCE – MONITORING AND EVALUATION FEEDBACK (ACTION GROUPS/INVOLVE)

                        Housing and the Environment

 

                        Mr. Trafford briefly explained the report and advised that one of the discussions which had recently taken place was where the Cultural Strategy fit into the Local Strategic Partnership process.  He continued that it was felt the Housing and Environment Action Group was not considered to be the right arena for Culture and that this would best link in with Education and Training.  It was suggested that a meeting be convened with all interested parties to discuss this matter further.  Mrs. Brown reminded everyone that a Cultural Forum was considered and included in the revised structure.

                        The Chair suggested that an update be provide to the next meeting of the Executive Support Group with a final recommendation on 2nd March, 2005.

AGREED       that (1) a meeting of interested parties be convened in order to discuss the preparation of a Cultural Strategy, and

                                (2) an update be provided at the next meeting of the Executive Support Group with a final recommendation to be submitted on 2nd March, 2006 .

Education and Training

 

Mr. Young reported that the next meeting of the Action Group was scheduled for 6th December, 2005, at Doe Lea Resource Centre, and that all projects supported had been requested to attend and undertake a short presentation on progress to date.  Partners had also been requested to invite senior Officers from their respective organisations in order to raise awareness of activity taking place.  Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council, would be in attendance.

AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

Employment and Transport

 

Mr. Strutt reported that the focus for the Group had been on the LEGI bid.  A report back would be given at a future meeting.

AGREED       that the comments be noted.

Bolsover Community Safety Partnership

 

Councillor Murray-Carr briefly explained the report and advised that he had recently undertaken a presentation at the Police Headquarters and to Parish Councils.

Mrs. Brown advised that Councillor Murray-Carr had offered to undertake a presentation at a future meeting of the Parish Council Liaison Group.  Other Action Groups may also be asked to undertake presentations.

Mrs. Wilkinson queried progress with the Safer Neighbourhood Scheme.  Councillor Murray-Carr replied that the scheme was “ready to go”.  For the benefit of those present, a brief explanation of the scheme was given.

Mr. Ford commented that he was currently in liaison with the neighbouring local authorities to provide a unit in Chesterfield for young people with chaotic lifestyles, e.g. heavy drug use, release from prison.  He suggested that a discussion take place after the meeting during which consideration could be given as to how this could be linked with Community Safety initiatives.

A brief discussion ensued in relation to effective communication and the need to work in partnership.  It was, however, recognised that the Partnership did not publicise its successes as it ought to.  The Chair mentioned that Bolsover District Council had been shortlisted in the partnership category for the Beacon Council Award.  Councillor Tomlinson commented that due to the geographical nature of the District, publicity difficulties were experienced as there was not one newspaper or radio which covered the whole area.  Mr. Colgrave advised that the Partnership had established a Communications Steering Group which met on a regular basis.

AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

Health and Wellbeing

 

No report available.

INVOLVE

 

Mrs. Wilkinson briefly explained the report.

Councillor Murray-Carr queried the concerns in connection with Pear Tree Estate.  Mrs. Wilkinson advised that the concerns were in relation to the lack of community consultation and involvement when Neighbourhood Renewal Funding was recently awarded to a project on the Estate.  Councillor Murray-Carr confirmed that consultation did take place with local residents and other agencies, including the Parish Councils.

Councillor Murray-Carr queried the concerns relating to the Community Houses.  Mrs. Wilkinson answered that there was some confusion as to the future of the Community Houses.  Councillor Murray-Carr advised that a report would be submitted to Council before Christmas.  The recommendation would be to continue with the Community Houses in order to maintain a presence, but to also utilise the community.  It was also hoped to extend the service to provide outreach support to other local communities across the District.

Mrs. Wilkinson reported that three new community associations had been established, this brought the total to 26.  At the last INVOLVE Action Group meeting 35 people had attended.

AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

ESG53/05      NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUND

 

Update on Commissioning 2005/06/Quarter 2 Progress Update

 

                        Mrs. Khella circulated a report which detailed progress with the commissioned projects that had been agreed at the last meeting of the Executive Support Group and the Quarter 2 Progress Update.

                        Mrs. Khella stated that further information had been received in relation to preliminary works at 2 Station Road, Clowne.  £15,000 was required for professional fees in order to progress this initiative and to also help lever in match funding from the Alliance SSP.

                        Councillor Murray-Carr advised that the Bolsover Community Safety Partnership would be taking on the responsibility of providing the strategy and data on everything contained within the 2005 Environmental Act.  This matter to be discussed further after the meeting.

                        Mr. Gamble raised his concern at the level of spend contained within the Quarter 2 Progress Update and that there was still £2.3 million available.  Any more than a 5% carry forward could not be guaranteed.  Mrs. Khella advised that it was intended to write to all projects in the near future stressing the need to defray the Neighbourhood Renewal Funding before 31st March, 2005.

                        Mrs. Khella specifically referred to Page 14 and onwards of the report which highlighted performance against financial and output targets.  All Action Group Chairs have been asked to follow up poor performance and take appropriate action where necessary.  Ms. Glover suggested that Action Groups be requested to discuss any concerns with projects at their next meetings.

AGREED       that (1) a proposal for initial feasibility works at 2 Station Road , Clowne, be invited urgently,

        (2) Action Groups be requested to provide further commissioning briefs for 2005/06 to be utilised as contingency projects, details to be discussed at the next meeting of the Executive Support Group,

        (3)  a letter be sent to all projects stressing the need to defray Neighbourhood Renewal Funding before 31st March, 2006 ,

        (4) Action Group Chairs be requested to discuss any concerns with projects at their next meeting, with a view to reporting back to the next meeting of the Executive Support Group , and

         (5) the report be received.

ESG54/05      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

                        Schedule of Meeting Dates for 2006/07

 

                        A brief discussion ensued in relation to varying the venue and the timing of meetings, in particular the Action Group meetings.

AGREED       that the dates of meetings of the Executive Support Group for 2006/07, be approved.

ESG55/06      DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

                        Thursday, 12th January, 2006, at 9.30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover.

The meeting concluded at 11.50 a.m.