Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Planning and Social Inclusion held on 22^nd October, 2004 be approved as a correct record.

Minute No. 14 (vi) – The Role of the Liaison Group was an item for discussion later on this agenda.

Minute No. 14(3) – External funding for the Community Development Workers employed by Voluntary Action Rotherham would come to an end in March, 2005.  Those at risk had been informed and were fully aware of the situation.

An amount from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund was available, but this would only fund approximately five Community Development Workers specifically for those working in the Neighbourhood Renewal target and deprived areas.

Support was welcomed by Voluntary Action Rotherham, who could not access further funding and ensured that Members were aware of the reasons behind the future loss of Community Development Workers.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Alison Penn, External and Regional Affairs Manager, which outlined the progress of the Community Development Strategy review.

The draft Community Development Strategy had been prepared on behalf of the Local Strategic Partnership following a review process involving the Council and partner agencies.  This Strategy will assist in the delivery of some of the Council delivered services, allow more engagement with communities and establish better ways of working with them.

This review takes account of progress since 2001 and proposes a new focus on the Neighbourhood Renewal areas and support for communities of interest.

The Community Development Strategy also required the Council to consider how community development could increasingly be integrated into service delivery with assistance through the new Neighbourhoods Programme Area.

Both internal and external consultation had taken place on this document and an action plan would be agreed to deliver the Strategy and to take it forward.  There would be a very clear focus on communities of interest and how this would be linked with various networks.

Resolved:-  That the progress of the Community Development Strategy be noted.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Dawn, Roberts, Policy and Research Manager, which was also being presented to the Corporate Management Team at its meeting today.

The report outlined the Council’s current strategic areas of activity in addressing social inclusion and the main social inclusion policy challenges facing the Council.  The report submitted also put forward strategic policy options to enable the Council to ensure social inclusion was being achieved in Rotherham and through joint working with partner agencies.

Feedback on this document was welcomed and the attached position statement provided an outline of the national, regional and local agenda on social inclusion. 

Analysis also suggested that there would be a smaller number of people affected by social exclusion, but that their exclusion would be deeper as they would experience more multiple disadvantage and a greater degree of exclusion from participating in mainstream social activities.  It was important, therefore, that resources were targeted effectively and that service delivery was responsive to the needs of those who were most excluded.

The report recognised that a large number of existing strategies and plans contributed to addressing social exclusion in the Borough and delivered key elements of it with geographical focus and strategies in relation to equalities and cohesion. There was a need for an overarching strategy (or framework) that brought together these various strategies and plans into a common vision, objectives and targets. This would lead to a more co-ordinated approach and a more robust performance management system to ensure the Council was maximising outcomes and quality of life for Rotherham’s most vulnerable people.

Members were informed that performance management had been an area of development in the Council and a review of key policies and strategies had taken place.  Social inclusion, however, was a credible part of the process development and the outcome would match impact on the social inclusion policy.  A number of clear objectives, which were measurable, would need to be set.

Members of the Council had a role in the process, through the Cabinet and to scrutinise the impact on performance.  It was recognised, however, that different parts of the Council had to take the social inclusion policy forward.

The report was subject to discussion and feedback through various channels before a report was presented to Cabinet.

Health and equalities was also high profile and Members were informed that a position statement in relation to this was being developed with partners of the Primary Care Trust.  A meeting took place on Thursday, 18^th November, 2004 to consider the process and how this would link together with social inclusion.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report and the conclusions put forward be noted.

(2)  That the development of a Corporate Social Inclusion Framework to enable the Council to establish a common understanding and vision of social inclusion and identify clear objectives and performance measures for achieving this be agreed.

(3)  That the Social Inclusion Framework shaped by the emerging new priorities for the Council (and Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Further to Minute No. 14(2) of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Planning and Social Inclusion held on 22^nd October, 2004, consideration was given to a report presented by Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, which outlined the Council’s liaison with Voluntary Action Rotherham and looked at ways of improving it.

Following investigation by officers it appeared that a group had been established in 2003 to manage the difficulties experienced by Voluntary Action Rotherham.  However, the group had never met.  Circumstances today were markedly different as Voluntary Action Rotherham was now a stable organisation with a clear direction and strong management team.

It was now proposed that a Liaison Forum be established with clear roles to ensure there was full discussion and communication of issues of mutual interest which could help improve the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of services being provided to the people of Rotherham.

Resolved:-  That a Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum be established, comprising the Cabinet Member for Community Planning and Social Inclusion and Advisers, to meet with the Chair, Chief Executive and nominated members of Voluntary Action Rotherham on a bi-annual basis.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting be held on Friday, 3^rd December, 2004 commencing at 10.00 a.m.