Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion held on 26^th September, 2005, be approved as a correct record.

Andrew Balchin, Head of Neighbourhood Development, gave a powerpoint presentation on Neighbourhood Management  which included:-

§                     The restructuring of the Programme Area

§                     Neighbourhoods Service and Development Plans

§                     The key recommendations from the Neighbourhood Management Study

§                     Emerging definitions and key elements

§                     Neighbourhood Management

§                     Outcomes for local citizens

§                     Delivering Neighbourhood Management

The presentation also included Area Assemblies and the desire to see a change of emphasis and that the new model should be designed to pave the way for neighbourhood management approach to service delivery. 

It was noted that a workshop for Area Assembly Chairs was to be held on 7^th November, 2005.

Discussion ensued on the presentation with a number of issues raised/highlighted relating to Area Assemblies.  These included:-

-                    The importance of integrating with the key agencies that provide the services

-                    The need for clarification for members of the public as to the difference between Area Assemblies and Parish/Town Councils

-                    Disappointment at the length of time it was taking to reform Assemblies

-                    The Council was looking at ways of engaging more creatively with the public

-                    The need for agency representation to be a strategic level

Resolved:-  That the presentation be noted.

Andrew Balchin, Head of Neighbourhood Development, submitted a progress report on the development of a joint working charter between the Council and Rotherham’s Parish and Town Councils.  The Charter would set out how the 2 tiers of local government aimed to work closer together for the wellbeing of local people and promote engagement with the democratic process.

The Yorkshire Local Councils Association had been asked to arrange a representative working group from the Parish Councils to work with the Council on the detail of the Charter.  Following a seminar in January, 2005, 24 local councils had confirmed their commitment to developing a joint Charter.  The Association would arrange a postal ballot for nominations for the working group; this would be complete by mid-December, 2005.  As soon as the ballot had taken place, the first meeting would be arranged together with Council officers and the Cabinet Member to negotiate the detail of the Charter.

An officers working group had been established with representation from Neighbourhoods, Education, Culture and Leisure Services, Chief Executive Economic and Development Services, Resources and Rotherham 2010 to ensure that the Charter was viewed as a high profile issues within their Service area and that a link was established for Parish Councils when relevant issues arose.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress be noted.

(2)  That a copy of the draft Charter be supplied to the 3 Cabinet Advisors.

ZafarSaleem, Manager of the Equalities and Diversity Unit, submitted an update on the current funding situation for advice and information services funded through the Infrastructure and Corporate Initiatives Budget (ICIB) held within the Chief Executive’s Department.

ICIB was made up of carry forward money from the community element of the Community Economic Regeneration Budget, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and funding from the Council’s mainstream budget.  The budget had been reducing over a number of years due to CERB no longer existing and NRF ending in March, 2006.

The Council had had a funding relationship with a number of voluntary sector advice providers over several years and currently funding was approved to 5 organisations until 31^st March, 2006.  It was felt that a move towards infrastructure organisations within this sector may not be the best option as they provided front line services and the Council’s money was supporting their core organisational costs.  However, there was a need to gain clarity on the level and type of advice needed in Rotherham, map existing provision (including gaps and duplication), identify appropriate delivery models (including direct public sector provision) and prioritise funding accordingly.  Accordingly, an independent review was to be carried out.

It was noted that for 2005/06, within a total budget of £700,097, £627,683 was committed leaving £72,414 currently unallocated.  A report was to be submitted to 2^nd November Cabinet requesting the carry forward of the unallocated budget which would give the 5 organisations continued funding until 31^st March, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.

ZafarSaleem, Manager of the Equalities and Diversity Unit, gave a verbal update on actions taken by the Council in response to the earthquake in Pakistan.

The Local Authority had issued a message of support and sympathy to the High Commission and informed them of the Council’s decision to set up a fund raising appeal to help the victims of the earthquake.  Collection points had been co-ordinated in Council buildings for monetary donations and work with local agencies to co-ordinate a response.

A further statement had been sent to all staff offering guidance and support  and staff in Education, Culture and Leisure Services had been alerted to the fact that some pupils may be upset as a result of the loss of family members.

Andrew Towlerton, Policy and Research Manager, submitted a report which outlined progress on development of the Local Area Agreements and the first draft for discussion.

Following a successful launch in August, a working group was established to develop the LAA reporting to Chief Executive officers of the Local Strategic Partnership.  Terms of reference was submitted as an Appendix together with membership.

Block groups had also been established to work up the detail of the LAA.

Resolved:-  That the progress made be noted.

Andrew Towlerton, Policy and Research Manager, submitted a report outlining the main findings from a major study commissioned by the Council to examine how local people were affected by deprivation and actions needed to address the problems.

A Study of Deprivation had been commissioned from the Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion to provide an independent validation of Rotherham’s Local Index of Multiple Deprivation, increase understanding of deprivation affecting Rotherham and recommend actions for specific areas, themes and groups, recommend targeted programmes relevant to the areas, themes and communities identified and recommend indicators and targets to measure progress towards meeting Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy targets.

The main findings were set out in Section 7 of the report. 

Resolved:-  That the findings from the study, as outlined in Section 7 of the report submitted, be noted.

Andrew Towlerton, Policy and Research Manager, submitted the draft Consultation Position Statement for consideration.

The aim of the Position Statement was to improve and strengthen consultation by the Council both internally and externally and was intended to be a key input into the Council’s emerging Consultation and Community Involvement Position Statement and wider consultation policy and delivery.

It provided an outline of the national and regional agenda on consultation and how the Council was responding locally.  It highlighted that consultation was an essential and integral aspect of the Council’s activities and that all Programme Areas undertook many varied types of consultation.  It also put forward recommendations that would strengthen co-ordination and continue to ensure that consultation was integral to service and policy delivery.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Position Statement and the recommendations put forward be agreed.

(2)  That the Position Statement should be a key input into the emerging Consultation and Community Involvement Strategy and wider consultation policy and delivery.

(3)  That a further report be submitted outlining progress and a draft Consultation and Community Involvement Strategy.

Andrew Towlerton, Policy and Research Manager, submitted the results of the 12^th Rotherham Reachout survey and outlined the key policy implications for the Council.

The 12^th survey was conducted in May, 2005.  The questionnaire allowed for a detailed and wide-ranging survey covering topics of healthy eating, crime, the Rotherham Show, hospital appointments, fixed penalty fines, community cohesion and Reachout survey related questions.

Attached to the report was the executive summary of the full report.  The full report was available on the Council’s intranet and internet.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the findings from the 12^th Rotherham Reachout and the policy and practical implications identified within the report be noted.

(2)  That an action plan be developed for the findings in relation to Community Cohesion.

Resolved:-  That the Equalities and Diversity Unit submit a report to the next meeting on issues raised in the above document.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relates to the financial affairs of someone other than the Council)

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relates to the financial affairs of someone other than the Council).

Michael Holmes, Strategic Funding Officer (External and Regional Affairs), submitted for information a request received from West Central (Ferham, Masbrough) Community Partnership for a rolling £10,000 cash advance to enable it to independently manage an element of its budget as part of the Council-sponsored Joint Partnership Development Project funded by Objective 1, SRB6 and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

It was noted that the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods would consider the request at her meeting on 31^st October, 2005.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion take place on Monday, 21^st November, 2005, commencing at 10.00 a.m.