Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest to report.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Michael Clark, Proud Theme Manager, and supported by Brian Chapple, Chair of Local Strategic Partnership and Janet Wheatley, Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Rotherham and Chair of the Proud Board.

The report included background information regarding Rotherham’s LAA and the Proud Theme indicators in order to provide context to the updates from lead officers for three of Rotherham’s Local Area Agreement indicators, which fell within the Proud Theme of the agreement, which were:-

·             The percentage of people who feel that people of different backgrounds get on well together in their local area.

·             The percentage of people who feel they can influence decisions in their locality.

·             Environment for a thriving third sector.

ZafarSaleem, Community Engagement Cohesion Manager (Indicator 1), Michelle Musgrave, Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services (Indicator 4) and Matt Gladstone, Assistant Chief Executive (Indicator 7), provided the context for each indicator, the actions that were planned to improve performance, an assessment of prospects and details regarding the baseline and targets for these perception based indicators.

A discussion and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised and subsequently clarified:-

Indicator 1:-

-              Strategies and plans contributing to the Prevent Strategy (PVE).

-              Involvement of local schools and statutory obligation for inclusion.

-              Community cohesion interaction and engagement and the projects currently operating.

-              Involvement of Parish Councils.

Indicator 4:-

-              Communication and feedback to local residents.

-              Missed opportunities with Parish Councils as a partner.

-              Inclusion of a Parish Council representative on the Proud Board.

Indicator 7:-

-              Target setting for the 2008/09 period.

-              Fine balance on making the indicator work.

-              Potential for increasing performance and measurement for Indicator 7.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the current position regarding the three LAA Proud Theme indicators be noted.

(2)  That the proposed targets for LAA Proud Theme indicators where available be supported.

(3)  That an update be provided on the indicator progress in due course.

Presentation by Jane Woodford.

Consideration was given to a report and presentation by Jane Woodford, Financial Inclusion Manager from Voluntary Action Rotherham, which updated the Scrutiny Panel on the work of the Financial Inclusion Strategy Team in particular in respect of the impact and response to the credit crunch and the Financial Inclusion Action Plan.

The action plan updated in December, 2008 was agreed in principle by the Financial Inclusion Strategy Team which oversaw the work of the Financial Inclusion Team.  Consultation on the action plan continued with partners and was being constantly reviewed in the light of local, regional and national developments, most notably the impact of the credit crunch on the people of Rotherham.  It was important to note that the credit crunch, in particular the devastating disproportionate impact of job losses in Rotherham, would present significant challenges to the objective to improve the quantity and quality of employment opportunities in the future.  However, the severity of the credit crunch meant that the financial inclusion work was even more vital to the health and wellbeing of Rotherham’s residents than previously and that directing resources to those most in need was a critical step in being prepared for the eventual upturn in the wider economy.

The presentation on the Financial Inclusion Action Plan drew specific attention to:-

·             Outputs (2008 – 2011).

·             Principles.

·             Co-ordination, Development and Growing of Financial Inclusion Services.

·             Development, improvement and extension of partnerships.

·             Development and promotion of the financial inclusion agenda.

A discussion and a question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised and subsequently clarified:-

-              Promotion and profile raising of the work of Credit Unions in Rotherham with Elected Members.

-              Ethnicity of people seeking advice and how this was determined.

-              Size of the credit crunch problem in Rotherham.

-              Quarterly performance monitoring.

-              Joint working and learning engagement sessions with the network organisations.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Jane Woodford be thanked for her informative report and presentation.

(2)  That the contents of the Financial Inclusion Action Plan be noted.

(3) That the activities of the Financial Inclusion Team be supported and promoted, particularly through developing partnerships for: the effective promotion of affordable credit through credit unions, identifying additional resources to implement the financial capability programme and increasing access to face to face advice.

(4)  That the sub-regional activity through partnership with the Champions Project be endorsed.

(5)  That the profile of Credit Unions in Rotherham be raised with Elected Members.

(6)  That the Scrutiny Panel receive a further update of the Financial Inclusion Project in approximately six months time.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Tim Mumford, Assistant Chief Executive – Legal and Democratic Services, which detailed that in taking forward the Local Government Reform and Modernisation Agenda, the Council had compiled an implementation plan of key workstreams, requiring actions either by the Government or the Council. A number of the workstreams related to the work of this Scrutiny Panel.

This report provided an update and opportunity to comment on the relevant workstreams within the implementation plan, specifically relating to:-

·             2.4 Giving local people more say in running local services, 2.4 (a) to (e);

·             2.5 Providing better and more timely information on local services, 2.5 (a) to (e);

·             2.9 Listening and acting on local concerns, 2.9(a);

·             2.11 Empowering citizens and communities;

·             2.12 Community ownership or management of assets,12(a) to (g);

·             2.14 Local charters for neighbourhoods;

·             2.15 Improving capacity of Parish Councils; and

·             2.16 Support for community groups to take control, 2.16 (a) to (b).

The report gave an overview and more detail on each workstream.

The Panel noted the contents of the report, but in doing so noted that the most immediate issues for the Council were the duty to involve local people in the democratic process, participatory budgeting and the steady progress on moving forward.  Problems would be encountered if the public perceived the Council not to be delivering on what they had initially said.

It was suggested that more detailed information be provided on the relevant workstreams.  An update had already been requested on participatory budgeting, which needed to be embedded by 2012.

With regards to 2.12c (Community Safety Participatory Budgeting Pilots) there was no reference to the South Yorkshire Police Budgeting Pilots.

In addition, at 2.14 Neighbourhood Charters had been completed in Rotherham, but their effectiveness was yet to be tested.

Workstream 2.15 (Improving Capacity of Parish Councils) related to, but was wider than, the Boundary Review being undertaken and this Workstream needed to recognise the work already undertaken and link into the Working Group.

To assist the Panel’s understanding and in addressing the concerns raised, it was suggested that a further report be submitted to monitor the effectiveness of what was being delivered.

As well as detailed reports from Workstream Owners, it was suggested that at the next themed meeting of this Panel, a report be submitted on 2.4 (Giving Local People More Say in Running Local Services) linking into the Participatory Budgeting issue.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)  That further detailed reports be requested from “Workstream Owners” where this would add value to the work of the Panel.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel held on 15^th January, 2009 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Involvement held on 11^th February, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 21^st November, 5^th and 19^th December, 2008 and 16^th January, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the New Arrivals Working Party held on 28^th February, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Members’ Training and Development Panel held on 22^nd January, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.