Meetings

BOLSOVER LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

 

EXECUTIVE SUPPORT GROUP

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership Executive Support Group held on Thursday, 12th October, 2006, at 9.30 a.m., Committee Room No. 1, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover.

PRESENT

 

Councillor E. Watts               -           Bolsover District Council

Mr. W. Lumley                        -           Bolsover District Council

Mr. J. Sherwood                    -           Housing & Environment Action Group

Mr. T. Whatton                       -           INVOLVE

Mrs. F. Unwin             -           Education & Training Action Group/INVOLVE

Mrs. L. Khella             -           Partnership Team

Ms. T. Glover             -           Cultural Forum

Mrs. J. Derricott                     -           Health & Wellbeing Action Group

Mr. B. Strutt                            -           Derbyshire County Council

Mr. A. Baig                             -           Government Office for the East Midlands

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

Mrs. P. Brown                        -           Partnership Team

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

Councillor A. Tomlinson       -           Bolsover District Council

(part)

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Mr. M. Stone  (part)               -           Derbyshire County Council

Mrs. J. Foley (part)                -           Bolsover District Council

Councillor E. Watts in the Chair

 

ESG40/06      APOLOGIES

 

                        Apologies were received on behalf of:-

                        Insp. I. Palfreyman                 -           Bolsover Community Safety

Partnership

                        Councillor B. Murray-Carr    -           Bolsover Community Safety

                                                                                    Partnership

                        Mrs. M. Chambers                -           Derbyshire County PCT

                        Mrs. T. Wilkinson                   -           INVOLVE

                        Mrs. M. Cox                           -           INVOLVE

                        Miss D. Row                          -           INVOLVE

                        Councillor K. Reid                 -           Parish/Town Councils

                        Mr. A. Diggles                       -           Employment & Transport

                                                                                    Action Group

                        Miss N. Price                         -           Partnership Team

                        The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and, on behalf of the Partnership, thanked Mr. Gamble for his advice, guidance and support in the past and wished him well for the future.  Mr. Gamble thanked everyone for his retirement gift.

Mrs. Unwin left the meeting at 9.40 a.m.

ESG41/06      COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE

 

                        Mrs. Derricott provided a brief update on progress with the Community Voluntary  Partnership.  A Proposal Form had been completed and submitted to the Partnership Team for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding.  The redundancies issued to the INVOLVE staff had been withdrawn, however, new contracts would not be offered until confirmation of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding.  All staff had received copies of contracts and Job Descriptions and the advertisement for the new Manager had been placed in the local press (interviews would take place at the end of the month).  The INVOLVE Action Group Annual General Meeting had been brought forward to enable the Steering Group and the current Board to amalgamate.  A new Board would be in place from 1st February, 2007.

                        Consideration was currently being given to the administration process, future sustainability, communication and information sharing.  A letter had recently been sent to all Action Group Chairs requesting 5-7 questions to be included in the Village Appraisals.  Preparations were being made to implement a Voluntary Sector Forum; the Annual General Meeting would be asking for voluntary sector representations until such time as the Voluntary Sector Forum had been established.

                        The next meeting of the Steering Group would be considering the options available for the new organisation to take on the Accountable Body responsibilities.

                        Mrs. Khella referred to the funding being requested and commented that although the Local Strategic Partnership had agreed to support the new organisation for 18 months, it was possible that core funding would be available via Government Office for the East Midlands which would reduce the amount of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding required.  She suggested that in order to ensure that the new organisation was progressing to the satisfaction of the Partnership, that the final six months of funding be retained pending performance, e.g. monitoring of milestones etc.

                        Mr. Strutt queried whether the Community Empowerment Network would be funded through the Local Area Agreement.  Mr. Gamble advised that the core funding would be accessed through the Sustainable Communities Fund via the Local Area Agreement.  Arrangements for next year were not yet available.

                        Mr. Lumley queried whether the funding for the current year had been received.  Mr. Gamble confirmed that this funding had been made available through the Local Area Agreement.

                        Mrs. Derricott mentioned that an application for funding would be submitted to the National Lottery, which, if successful, would cover the costs of the new organisation for a period of five years from March 2008.

                        Mr. Strutt reported that Derbyshire County Council had allocated an amount of £12,500 per District to support the community and voluntary infrastructure.  The Cabinet had deferred the decision for the Bolsover District.

                        Mrs. Brown advised that a report had been prepared for the Board meeting to be held on 19th October, 2006, which provided an update on progress to date.

                        AGREED       that the comments be noted.

 

Mrs. Unwin rejoined the meeting at 9.45 a.m.

ESG42/06      MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING HELD ON 7TH SEPTEMBER, 2006  

 

AGREED       that the Minutes of the meeting held on 7th September, 2006 , be accepted as a true and correct record.

 

ESG43/06      MATTERS ARISING

 

                        Alliance SSP Market Towns Regeneration Initiative

 

                        Mrs. Khella provided a brief update on progress with the Market Towns Regeneration Initiative.

                        The Bolsover CCTV project had received Neighbourhood Renewal Fund approval and a proposal was currently being prepared for submission to the Alliance SSP by the end of the week.

                        Nottingham Rural Community Council, managing agent, were in the process of ascertaining the level of spend across all Local Strategic Partnerships for this financial year, which may enable the Bolsover Partnership to carry forward the underspend into next year.

                        AGREED       that the verbal report be received.

 

                        Allocation of Structural Funds

 

                        Mrs. Brown reported that although Assisted Area Status had been approved no further information was available until January 2007, therefore, the item would not be included as a standing item as previously agreed.  However, once further information was available the issue would be brought to the attention of Executive Support Group partners.

                        AGREED       that the comments be noted.

 

                        Invest to Save

 

                        Mr. Stone reminded those present that at the last Executive Support Group meeting, it had been agreed to refer this item to the Ngage Partnership for further discussion.  The deadline for applications was 27th October, 2006.

                        Mr. Stone briefly explained the concept to the Invest to Save initiative in that it must be a partnership between the local authority and third sector, it must be endorsed by the Local Strategic Partnership, be innovative and must make savings in terms of current service delivery   for the medium to long term.

                        The Local Strategic Partnership had agreed, as an over-arching theme, that young people be a priority.  The project to be submitted for consideration into the Invest to Save was targeted at 7 – 11 year olds.

Councillor Tomlinson joined the meeting at 9.55 a.m.

                        Mr. Stone circulated a report which briefly explained the project and he confirmed that the scheme had been endorsed by the Ngage Partnership.  A commitment to match funding to the value of £140,000 would be required before submitting the application for consideration.  If successful, the scheme would not only attract further funding from Central Government, but also have a huge impact on a number of communities within the District.

                        The Chair queried whether the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund could accommodate the request for funding.  Mrs. Khella advised that Invest to Save was a three year programme and the funding being requested would be required during the next financial year.  The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund could accommodate this request.

                        Mr. Lumley commented that one of the criteria for Invest to Save was cashable efficiencies in the longer term and that this needed to be carefully considered.  Mr. Stone stated that he would refer to the source documents for guidance.

                        Ms. Glover mentioned that it was important to link with the Leisure and Arts Learning and Training Programme and build on the work already undertaken.

                        Mr. Stone advised that the whole provision for children was being reviewed which may provide opportunities to integrate in the longer term.  Mrs. Derricott welcomed the initiative and asked that Health be included in the scheme.  Mr. Stone confirmed that Health indicators were included in the targets.

AGREED       that (1) the project to be submitted to Invest to Save, be supported in principal, and

 

                                (2) a financial commitment of £140,000 Neighbourhood Renewal Funding, to be utilised as match funding, be endorsed.

 

ESG37/06 – Education Action Group – Chair – Mr. Strutt reported that County Councillor Western, Deputy Leader, was the representative onto the Education and Training Action Group, with support from Mr. D. Rae.  The Chair thanked Mr. Strutt for his intervention in assisting in resolving this matter.

ESG44/06      NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUND

 

                        Cross-cutting Initiative – Progress Report

2006/07 NRF Commissioning

 

Mrs. Khella briefly explained the report.

Proposals had been received for the following projects:

Construction Training

HGV Training

PCV Training - Discussions had taken place with representatives from West Notts College/Clowne & District Community Transport.  Unfortunately, Clowne & District Community Transport were not in a position to deliver training at this moment in time.  It was, therefore, recommended the West Notts College be commissioned to deliver the training.

Wheels to Work – Further information was required.  However, it should be noted that this scheme would also be included in the LEGI programme.

Gateway to Local Employment – Withdrawn.

Preparation for Employment – Further discussions need to take place in order to ensure that the scheme would be complementary to existing provision.  Mr. Stone confirmed that discussions were already taking place.

Mr. Strutt commented that he also worked with Staveley Neighbourhood Management which would like to link into initiatives to enable local residents to benefit from the Markham Employment Growth Zone.  It was, therefore, intended to discuss with West Notts College and Groundwork Creswell the possibility of extending current projects into the Staveley area.

Reserve Projects – Mrs. Khella suggested, due to the amount of funding available, that the first three projects be supported (two from the Health & Wellbeing Action Group and one from Housing & the Environment Action Group).  The three projects authorised by the Bolsover Safety Community Partnership be approved and kept as reserve projects, these being capital projects.

Mr. Gamble confirmed that the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund would be routed through the Local Area Agreement for the next financial year and that a maximum carry-over of 5% was recommended.  However, if necessary, Government Office for the East Midlands could agree a carry-over of up to 8%.

AGREED       that (1) West   Notts   College be commissioned to deliver PCV training to 80 beneficiaries at a cost of approximately £2,000 per beneficiary,

 

                               (2) Derbyshire Rural Community Council be commissioned to deliver the Wheels to Work programme in Bolsover subject to further discussions with key partners/funders,

 

                                (3) ‘Preparation for Employment’ programme be approved in principle, subject to further discussions around delivery with key partners,

 

                                (4) the Commissioning Brief for the Healthy Living Network in South Normanton project be approved and Bolsover District Council be invited to submit a full proposal,

 

                                (5) the Commissioning Brief for the Health Trainers project be approved and Derbyshire County PCT be invited to submit a full proposal,

 

                                 (6) Derbyshire County Council be invited to submit a full proposal for the reserve project ‘Rowthorne Trail’,

 

                                 (7) the three Community Safety Commissioning Briefs be approved and kept as reserve projects subject to funding becoming available, and

 

                                 (8) the report and comments be received.

 

Mrs. J. Foley joined the meeting at 10.35 a.m.

 

ESG45/06      LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER – CLOSER TO NEIGHBOURHOODS

 

                        Mr. Lumley briefly explained the paper.  He added that due to the strong community involvement through the Community Empowerment Network, there was the opportunity to make the Community Forums effective.

                        In order to take this initiative forward, it would be necessary to establish a small Working Group comprising of representative from the community and voluntary sector, Parish Councils and statutory organisations.

                        Mr. Stone welcomed the initiative and suggested that this coincided with the need to look at the Local Strategic Partnership generally.  He added that the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund had been the main steer for partners, however, with this funding stream ending in March 2008, it would be necessary to consider how best to maintain the Partnership with regard to service delivery.

                        Mr. Strutt suggested that the Manager of Staveley Neighbourhood Management be invited to a future meeting to report on their past experiences and best practice.

                        Mr. Lumley continued that the Community Forums be established in each of the four Contact Centre areas, e.g. Bolsover, Clowne, Shirebrook and South Normanton.

                        The Chair requested that the Community Forums be all inclusive.

                        AGREED       that the report and comments be received.

 

Mr. Stone left the meeting at 10.50 a.m.

 

ESG46/06      DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEME

 

                        The Chair introduced Mrs. J. Foley, Customer Service & Performance Manager, Bolsover District Council.

                        Mrs. Foley reported that all local authorities and Government bodies needed to produce a Disability Equality Scheme by December 2006.  The timescales involved had been extremely tight and disabled people had to be included in the development of the scheme.

                        An event, organised by Voluntary Action Bolsover, was held on 14th September, 2006, and  the turnout had been good.

                        The purpose of attending the Executive Support Group meeting was to explore arrangements being undertaken by other partner organisations.

                        Mrs. Brown advised that an e-mail had been sent to key partners asking for contact details of the relevant officer responsible for Disability Equality.  Unfortunately, no responses had, to date, been received.

                        Mrs. Foley stated that feedback from the event held on 14th September, had raised issues such as staff training around understanding issues experienced by disabled people.

                        Mrs. Foley requested contact details of relevant Officers within partner organisations and offered to circulate further information with the Minutes.

AGREED       that (1) partner organisations provide contact details of Officers responsible for Disability Equality to the Partnership Team as soon as possible,

 

                               (2) additional information be circulated with the Minutes, and

 

                               (3) the report and comments be received.

 

Mrs. Foley left the meeting at 10.55 a.m.

ESG47/06      PERFORMANCE – MONITORING AND EVALUATION FEEDBACK (ACTION GROUPS/INVOLVE)

 

                        Mrs. Brown reported that the Proforma had been provided for information purposes only.  Any comments should be referred to Miss Price, Partnership Team.

                        Action Group Feedback Reports had been received from INVOLVE Action Group, the Cultural Forum and the Education and Training Action Group.  Copies were available if required.

                        Ms. Glover queried how the Cultural Forum would report.  Mrs. Brown commented that this would need to be discussed in the near future.

                        Mr. Gamble requested an electronic copy of the information.

                        AGREED       that the Proforma be received.

 

ESG48/06      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

1.         Mrs. Brown reported that Mr. Colgrave, Partnership Communication and Information Officer, had tendered his resignation on 8th September and had now left the Partnership Team.  A letter from the Local Strategic Partnership would be sent to Mr. Colgrave wishing him well for the future.

                                    Consideration would now need to be given to the options available for continuation of the communication function.  Discussions would take place with the Chair and Vice-Chair in the near future.

2.         Mrs. Khella advised that two projects commissioned by the Housing and Environment Action Group  would not be brought forward into this financial year as planned.  It would, therefore, be necessary to consider other interventions to address agreed priorities/targets.

                        AGREED       that the comments be noted.

 

ESG49/06      DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

                        Thursday, 23rd November, 2006, at 9.30 a.m., Committee Room No. 1, Sherwood Lodge, Bolsover.

The meeting concluded at 11.04 a.m.