Meetings

BOLSOVER LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

 

EXECUTIVE SUPPORT GROUP

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership Executive Support Group held on Thursday, 13th July, 2006, at 9.30 a.m., Committee Room No. 1, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover.

 

PRESENT

 

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

Mr. B. Strutt                            -           Derbyshire County Council

Mr. A. Diggles                       -           Employment & Enterprise Action Group

Ms. S. Coleman                    -           Employment & Enterprise Action Group

Mr. J. Trafford                        -           Housing & the Environment Action Group

Mrs. L. Khella             -           Partnership Team

Mrs. T. Wilkinson                   -           INVOLVE

Mrs. S. Scott                          -           INVOLVE

Mr. J. Dugdale                       -           INVOLVE

Mrs. T. Glover                        -           Bolsover Cultural Forum

Mr. T. Whatton                       -           INVOLVE

Insp. I. Palfreyman                 -           Bolsover Community Safety Partnership

Councillor B. Murray-Carr    -           Bolsover Community Safety Partnership

Mrs. J. Derricott                     -           Health & Wellbeing Action Group

Councillor A. Tomlinson       -           Bolsover District Council

Mr. R. Colgrave                     -           Partnership Team

Miss N. Price                         -           Partnership Team

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

Mrs. P. Brown                        -           Partnership Team

Ms. J. Ryalls                           -           Health & Wellbeing Action Group

Miss T. Oliver             -           Housing & the Environment Action Group

 

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Mrs. C. Johnson (part)          -           Voluntary Action Bolsover

 

ESG21/06      APOLOGIES

 

                        Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:-

 

                        Mrs. M. Cox               -           INVOLVE

                        Miss D. Row              -           INVOLVE

                        Mr. W. Lumley            -           Bolsover District Council

                        Councillor E. Watts   -           Bolsover District Council

                        Councillor K. Reid     -           Parish/Town Councils

ESG22/06      MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING HELD ON 8TH JUNE, 2006  

 

                        Page 11 – Education & Training Action Group - Councillor Murray-Carr mentioned that the programme was “YISP” and not “NISP” as stated.

 

AGREED       that subject to the amendment as detailed above, the Minutes of the meeting held on 8th June, 2006 , be accepted as a true and correct record.

 

ESG23/06      MATTERS ARISING

 

                        Page 9 – ESG14/06 – Neighbourhood Renewal Fund – 2006-08 Revised Action Plans – Bolsover Community Safety Partnership – Mrs. Khella reported that the suggestion to combine two business security projects into one would not, unfortunately, be going ahead.  She advised that the Bolsover Community Safety Partnership had identified a reserve project for CCTV cameras to be installed within Bolsover Town Centre.  It had been agreed, therefore, that the allocation for business security improvements be reduced from £100,000 to £70,000 and £30,000 be allocated to the Bolsover CCTV project.

 

                        Councillor Murray-Carr added that the Bolsover Community Safety Partnership had been considering the problems being experienced in and around Bolsover Town Centre and the feasibility of installing a wireless CCTV system.  The cameras would be monitored initially from the Barlborough Centre with a view to being operated and monitored from a Police laptop.  Inspector Palfreyman commented that funding was available from the Alliance SSP for Market Towns and the reduction of crime.

 

Mrs. S. Scott left the meeting at 9.40 a.m.

 

                        Community and Voluntary Sector Infrastructure

 

                        The Chair reminded those present that at the last meeting of the Executive Support Group it had been agreed that the Chair/Vice Chair would convene a meeting with the Chairs of INVOLVE and Voluntary Action Bolsover to discuss ways of progressing this initiative.

 

                        The meeting had proved to be extremely positive.  It had been suggested and agreed to widen the Steering Group to include representatives from other voluntary organisations e.g. Clowne & District Community Transport, Citizens Advice Bureau and that Councillor Reid continue to Chair the meetings.

 

                        Mrs. Wilkinson reported that Mrs. Johnson, Councillor Reid and herself had met after the Executive Support Group meeting and discussed the need and ways of establishing a robust community and voluntary sector infrastructure.  It was felt that too much emphasis had been placed on INVOLVE and Voluntary Action Bolsover and that in order to fulfil the requirements of establishing a new organisation, it would be necessary to widen membership of the Steering Group.  It was, therefore, suggested that membership of the Steering Group would be as follows:-

 

·                    INVOLVE

·                    Voluntary Action Bolsover

·                    Citizens Advice Bureau

·                    Clowne & District Community Transport

·                    Miss D. Row

·                    Mr. T. Whatton

 

Consideration was also given to the Transitional Co-ordinator post and the secondment of staff from partner organisations as well as the offer of utilising Mr. D. Reid, Consultant - Minds Eye, as a result of the early completion of a project on behalf of the Derbyshire Rural Community Council.  Mr. Dugdale advised that the Consultant was employed by the Derbyshire Infrastructure Consortium under the Change Up funding, his brief being to support the development of the Consortium.  The project concluded at the end of June and although he is still in the process of completing the work involved, he was no longer funded by the Change Up budget.  He continued that the Derbyshire Consortium was considering Capacity Builder bids and Mrs. Scott and himself were currently preparing an application for funding.  It was to be noted, however, that Capacity Building funding would not be available until November.

 

Mrs. Wilkinson reported that consideration had been given to the priorities of the merger and it had been recognised that the staffing structure was most important due to the timescales involved.  Discussion had also taken place in relation to the possibility of relocating to new premises in the longer term; in the shorter term Voluntary Action Bolsover’s offices would be utilised, however, this was not ideal due to accessibility.

 

Mrs. Brown queried confirmation that the dissolution of both INVOLVE and Voluntary Action Bolsover would be left to the individual organisations.  This was affirmed by both organisations represented.

 

Mrs. Wilkinson queried whether it would be possible to utilise the Neighbourhood Renewal Funding to fund the Transitional Co-ordinator until such time as further funding was in place.  The Chair advised that the NRF had been allocated for the new organisation and not the transition period.

 

Mrs. Wilkinson commented that it had been identified that, in relation to the Transitional Co-ordinator post, more time would be required in the initial stages and then to a lesser degree towards the end of the process. 

 

The Chair confirmed that the original proposal for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding did not include an allocation for the Transitional Co-ordinator post.  The funding was for delivery of activities not to fund the process.

 

Mr. Dugdale commented that Derbyshire Rural Community Council was committed to progressing with this initiative.

 

Councillor Murray-Carr queried the staffing arrangements.  Mrs. Wilkinson reported that the Steering Group would consider the staffing requirements for the new organisation and all current staff would be given the opportunity to apply for the jobs available.

 

Ms. Glover commented that Human Resources specialism was available throughout the Local Strategic Partnership and its key partner agencies.

 

The Chair queried whether partner organisations could be asked for secondments to the post of Transitional Co-ordinator until 1st December 2006 and that funding from Capacity Builders be sought beyond.  This was agreed for action by the Chair and Chief Executive’s and Partnership Manager.  Mrs. Khella suggested ascertaining a cost for the Transitional Co-ordinator post, as it was imperative to appoint the right person.

 

Mr. Strutt queried the future sustainability of the new organisation.  Mrs. Wilkinson answered that the Steering Group felt that this was one of the roles for the Transitional Co-ordinator. 

 

Mr. Whatton commented that he felt that the process was flawed and that the Steering Group lacked the necessary expertise and skills required to establish a new, robust organisation.  Mrs. Wilkinson answered that this was one of the reasons the Steering Group had agreed to widen representation.  Ms. Glover stated that voluntary sector organisations often prepared Business and Financial Plans and that this expertise could be called upon to assist when required.  Mr. Dugdale advised that a draft staffing structure, budget and financial plans had been prepared and these would be presented to the Steering Group in the near future.

 

Mr. Strutt requested confirmation of the Local Strategic Partnership’s requirement to support the Community Empowerment Network.  Mr. Gamble confirmed that the Local Strategic Partnership must support (in the widest term, not simply financially) a fit for purpose Community Empowerment Network which represented the community and voluntary sectors in the Bolsover district.

 

The Chair concluded that the Steering Group be requested to provide  revised timescales, milestones and future fundraising plans for the new organisation.  These to be provided for the next meeting of the Executive Support Group scheduled to take place on 7th September, 2006.

 

Mrs. Wilkinson thanked everyone for their patience and support.

 

AGREED       that the Steering Group be requested to provide a revised timescale, milestones and proposals for the future sustainability of the new organisation to the Executive Support Group scheduled to take place on 7th September, 2006 .

 

Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Dugdale left the meeting at 10.30 a.m.

Mrs. Scott rejoined the meeting at 10.30 a.m.

 

                        Markham Vale

 

                        Mr. Strutt reported that the Markham Vale project had been officially launched by John Prescott, MP, on 7th July, 2006.  The project was now going out to contract for the new motorway junction and a start on site was anticipated during September.  The site would provide a  large number of job opportunities over the next few months and longer term it was expected to create in the region of 5,000 new jobs.

 

                        Mrs. Wilkinson queried whether the jobs created would be targeted at local people.  Mr. Strutt advised that the managing agent for the site was Henry Boot and discussions had taken place to include in contracts the requirement for using local labour.  The Local Strategic Partnership would be tasked with ensuring that local people were suitably qualified for the jobs available.  Mrs. Coleman reported that she had been liaising with representatives of CHART Local Strategic Partnership to arrange combined training sessions specific to Markham Vale – this being done through the Employment and Enterprise Group.

 

                        AGREED       that the comments be noted.

 

                        Self Assessment and Improvement Plan

 

                        Miss Price reported that the Annual Review meeting with Government Office for the East Midlands was scheduled for Monday, 17th July, 2006.  The results of the Assessment would be available at the end of August 2006.

 

AGREED       that the comments be noted.

ESG24/06      NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUND

 

                        2005/06 End of Year Report

 

                        Mrs. Khella circulated a copy of the End of Year Report 2005-06 for information and asked for any comments.  The Report would be sent out to all projects in the near future.

 

                        AGREED       that the report be received

 

                        Education and Training Commissioning 2006-08

 

                        Mrs. Khella briefly explained the report and the Commissioning Briefs.

 

                        Mrs. Wilkinson commented that there were numerous centres throughout the Bolsover District which offered ICT training and queried whether the Mobile Bus provision would prove to be successful.  Mr. Strutt advised that Derbyshire County Council offered a similar service to this initiative and it had been very successful in that it provided facilities to the outlying villages.

 

AGREED       that the report and Commissioning Briefs be approved.

 

2006-07 NRF Commissioning

 

Mrs. Khella briefly explained the content of the report.  She specifically referred to the LEGI and Alliance SSP funding and the effect this would have on the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund programme and asked that consideration be given to a 10% over-commitment.

 

Mrs. Khella recommended that Options (1) and (2) be considered.  If it was felt that Option (1) was favourable, a meeting would be convened which consisted of two representatives from each Action Group and facilitated by a Neighbourhood Renewal Advisor.  It would also be necessary for Action Groups to identify reserve projects.  Both Options to be discussed further at the next meeting of the Executive Support Group . 

 

Mrs. Wilkinson requested that community representatives be involved in any discussions.

 

AGREED       that (1) a combination of Options (1) ad (2) be explored,

 

                                (2) a meeting be convened as soon as possible consisting of 2 representatives from each Action Group, and community representatives, to consider a large over-arching/cross-cutting initiative that addresses key floor targets,

 

                                (3) the meeting be facilitated by an independent Neighbourhood Renewal Advisor,

 

                                (4)  Action Groups submit Commissioning Briefs for reserve initiatives already identified within their Action Plans,

 

                                (5) an update and recommendations for the strategic allocation of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding be provided at the next meeting of the Executive Support Group scheduled to take place on 7th September, 2006, and

 

                                (6) the report and comments be noted.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11.00 a.m.

 

The meeting reconvened at 11.10 a.m.

 

ESG25/06      PERFORMANCE – MONITORING AND EVALUATION FEEDBACK (ACTION GROUPS/INVOLVE)

 

                        Housing and the Environment

 

                        Mr. Trafford apologised for the lateness of the report and explained that the feedback provided covered two meetings.

 

                        Mrs. Khella raised her concern in relation to the commissioning allocation for Phase 2 .  Mr. Trafford confirmed that the allocation of £120,000 would be spent.

 

                        Inspector Palfreyman queried the use of Section 215.  Mr. Trafford explained that this would be utilised when dealing with land-owners and the clearing up of their land.

 

                        AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

 

                        Education and Training

 

                        The Chair reported that Mr. Young had submitted the report on behalf of the Education and Training Action Group.

 

                        Ms. Glover advised that Mr. I. Murray, Chesterfield College, had been nominated for the Creative Partnership Board – this would, however, need confirmation.

 

                        Mr. Gamble commented that Government Office for the East Midlands would be liaising with Derbyshire County Council as Local Education Authority for their support in the Action Group.

 

                        Councillor Murray-Carr raised his concern regarding engaging with Shirebrook School.

 

                        Ms. Glover stated that members of the Action Group had no capacity within it to undertake the role of Chair and that the lack of Derbyshire County Council representation hindered progress.

 

                        AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

 

                        Employment and Enterprise  

 

                        Mr. Diggles briefly explained the report.  He stated that the allocation of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding would be affected by LEGI and the Alliance SSP’s Market Towns Regeneration Alliance Programme.

 

                        Councillor Murray-Carr welcomed the Market Towns initiative.

 

                        Mrs. Khella explained that the Market Towns initiative had allocated Bolsover approximately £97,000 over a two year period to be utilised for capital projects.  This funding could all be spent during the current financial year, or a minimum of £48,000 and the remainder be spent during the next financial year.

 

                        Mrs. Khella suggested that the funding be utilised for a master plan for Shirebrook Town Centre and that consideration be given to displacing Neighbourhood Renewal Funding which had been allocated to capital projects, e.g. Bolsover CCTV, 2 Station Road, Clowne, Facelift.

 

                        Mr. Diggles briefly explained the process and deadlines for the Market Towns initiative and stressed the need to spend the funding by the end of the current financial year.

 

                        It was agreed that Mrs. Khella identify possible projects for the Market Towns initiative for consideration by the Alliance SSP.

 

                        AGREED       that (1) the report and comments be received, and

 

        (2) Mrs. Khella identify possible projects for the Market Towns initiative for consideration by the Alliance SSP.

 

Bolsover Community Safety Partnership

 

Councillor Murray-Carr reported that the proposed amalgamation had been deferred and that the implications of the “Respect” agenda would need to be considered by the Board at its meeting on 19th October, 2006.

 

AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

 

Health and Wellbeing

 

Mrs. Derricott briefly explained the report.

 

Mrs. Derricott and Inspector Palfreyman to discuss, at a later date, the impact of binge-drinking projects.

 

AGREED       that the report and comments be noted.

 

INVOLVE

 

AGREED       that the report be received.

 

Mrs. Brown advised that Ms. Glover had offered to provide a Cultural Forum Feedback report to future meetings of the Executive Support Group .

 

ESG26/06      LOCAL COMPACT

 

                        Mrs. Scott reported that a meeting had taken place with Mrs. Chambers, Mrs. Cox and herself to consider a Local Compact utilising the expertise of the Amber Valley CVS.  It was intended to develop the current Protocol with the Local Strategic Partnership.  A proposal would be submitted to the next meeting of the Executive Support Group .

 

AGREED       that (1) a proposal be submitted to the next meeting of the Executive Support Group , and

 

                                (2) the comments be noted.

 

ESG27/06      CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S & PARTNERSHIP TEAM – CHANGES

 

                        Mrs. Brown briefly explained the report.

 

AGREED       that the actions of the Chair and Vice Chair be ratified.

 

ESG28/06      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

                        Ms. Glover reported that she had recently attended an ERDF Stakeholder Conference and it was very clear that Bolsover District was high on the list.

 

Mrs. Coleman advised that consultation had recently taken place on the accountability of the allocation of Structural Funds.  A meeting was scheduled to take place at Westminster on Wednesday, 19th July, 2006.

 

ESG29/06      DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

                        Thursday, 7th September, 2006, at 9.30 a.m., Committee Room No. 1, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover.

 

The meeting concluded at 12.05 p.m.