Agenda and minutes

Councillor Ali declared a prejudicial interest in Minute No. 54 being employed by the Diversity Forum and left the room during discussion on this item.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion held on 24^th October, 2005, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Reference was made to Minute No. 41 (Asian Earthquake) and the fund raising appeal set up to help the victims of the earthquake.  A decision was to be made on the best charitable organisation the monies would be given to with links to the affected areas.

AsimMunir, Principal Community Involvement Officer, submitted a report which sought approval for the draft strategic framework aiming to deliver improvements in community involvement and consultation activity across the Council.

The framework set out the Council’s vision, aims and objectives for consultation and community involvement.  It also set out a range of actions to ensure that consultation and community involvement under-pinned and was built into Council policy and service delivery.

The report submitted was, therefore, seeking approval for internal and external consultation.  The framework would again be received by the Corporate Management Team and Cabinet in February, 2006 after the external consultation was complete. The timetable for the consultation was November, 2005 to January, 2006 to ensure delivery of the Action Plan could commence from 1st April, 2006.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the content of the attached framework and the Community Involvement/Consultation plan for the internal and external consultation be noted.

(2)  That regular reports on progress made be received.

ZafarSaleem, Equalities and Diversity Manager, submitted a report which provided an update on the proposals for Rotherham’s contribution to the South Yorkshire-wide celebrations for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (L.G.B.T.) History Month in February, 2006.

These proposals have been made by Rotherham L.G.B.T. Inter-Agency Group.  This report also asks that the proposals to join other South Yorkshire Councils and Partnerships, by flying the Rainbow flag at the Town Hall to launch the celebrations, be taken forward for decision by the Cabinet.

It was noted that this proposal was discussed by the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel at its meeting on 8th September, 2005.

Discussion ensued on the procedure for flying flags at the Town Hall and whether there was a policy for such an event.   This was to be explored further.

Resolved:-  (1)  That clarification be sought on the procedure and policy for flying flags at the Town Hall.

(2)  That the proposals for the events and celebrations planned by Rotherham L.G.B.T. Inter-Agency Group be welcomed and noted.

(3)  That the proposal to join with other South Yorkshire Councils in flying the Rainbow flag at the Town Hall to launch Rotherham’s celebrations be supported, subject to this meeting agreeing the criteria in the relevant procedure and policy.

(4)  That the Cabinet be asked to agree the proposal to join with other South Yorkshire Councils in flying the Rainbow flag at the Town Hall to launch Rotherham’s celebrations.

ZafarSaleem, Equalities and Diversity Manager, submitted a report, which outlined the funding arrangements for the Diversity Forum and the associated service specification.

Background information was provided on how the Diversity Forum assisted the Council by taking on the management, support, monitoring and supervision arrangements for MAARI and the Immigration Adviser conditional on core funding being made available for supplies and services, administration, Information Technology, and clerical support, and management time.

Such an arrangement safeguarded the projects, posts, and maintained continuity in service delivery to a vulnerable and deprived section of the community and as a result a service specification had been drawn up.

Members were mindful of the good work taking place at the Diversity Forum and other projects funded through I.C.I.B. and requested that visits be arranged to view and put into context the projects and their working conditions.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report and service specification be agreed and the ring fenced I.C.I.B. monies for B.M.E work be allocated to the Diversity Forum.

(2)  That visit arrangements be made to all the I.C.I.B. advice projects to coincide with the renegotiations of the Service Level Agreements during early 2006.

ZafarSaleem, Equalities and Diversity Manager, gave a verbal report on the alleged influx of families of Slovakian origin in the Canklow area.  There appeared to be a trend in the rise of numbers of migrant workers arriving in Rotherham, which appeared to be creating tension for a number of reasons.  There were some indicators of people being exploited, being offered work only to find that there was no such work available once in Rotherham or that work ceased leaving families destitute.

In addition, some migrant families were being offered accommodation by employers, which were giving rise to some child safeguarding issue due to overcrowding.  Registration of children at secondary school after they had left junior school also appeared to be an issue.

Information had been received by Social Services, Neighbourhoods, Job Centre, C.A.B., the Police and the P.C.T., but there appeared to be no strategic leadership or directive to understand the crux of the problem.  As these people were neither refugees or asylum seekers there was little support on offer through Neighbourhoods Asylum Team or Social Services.

It was, therefore, suggested, that the Equalities and Diversity Manager take a corporate lead and approach this problem strategically and report back on his findings.

Resolved:-  That a further report be provided on the findings of research into issues surrounding migrant workers.

ZafarSaleem, Equalities and Diversity Manager, confirmed that a submission had been made for an L.G.C. Award for Sustainable Communities highlighting our work on Community Cohesion.  Some case studies had been provided and it was hoped that the submission would be shortlisted.  Confirmation to this effect would be received by the 2^nd December, 2005 if Rotherham had made the shortlist.

Resolved:-  That the information be noted.

Andrew Towlerton, Policy and Research Manager, submitted a report on the Council’s Bi-Annual Plan of Consultation for the period September 2005 to April 2006.   It outlined the major consultation activities scheduled for the coming six months within the Council and identified the lead Programme Area, purpose of the consultation, the methodology to be used, its timings and other useful information.

The development of the Bi-Annual Plan was an integral part of a wider programme of actions aimed at strengthening the Council’s approach to consultation.  These included the Consultation and Community Involvement Position Statements and the emerging Consultation and Community Involvement Framework.

The Bi-Annual Plan sought to improve the co-ordination of consultation and the sharing of results and best practice and underline the breadth and depth of consultation with service users, non-service users and communities of place and interest to ensure that this was an established part of this Council's culture.

It was acknowledged that there were many aspects of consultation taking place in Programme Areas and that there needed to be a co-ordinated approach to pulling this together to ensure robust and clear guidance to sharing consultation.

Resolved:-  That the Bi-Annual Plan of Consultation be agreed.

(2)  That the revised process for its development be noted.

(3)  That the diversity of strategic consultation activity being undertaken over the next six months be noted.

(4)  That this Plan be embodied into the strategic and service delivery planning process, policy and performance management arrangements.

(5)  That this report be referred to the Cabinet and relevant Scrutiny Panel for approval.

Catherine Dale, Research and Statistics Officer, submitted a report which detailed the main findings from a report commissioned by the Research and Policy team in Rotherham M.B.C. to examine the Irish population in Rotherham.

The report represented a wider approach adopted by the Research and Policy Team to help develop a greater understanding of the needs and priorities of the many communities in Rotherham.  The findings would have implications for policy and service delivery.

The main findings of the research were highlighted and included the following characteristics:-

·              Demographics.

·              Ethnicity and Religion.

·              Family and Livings.

·              Health.

·              Economics.

It was envisaged that this report, along with future reports that were produced, were disseminated across Programme Areas and key partner agencies.  It was also envisaged that these reports would be made available to the voluntary, community and not for profit sectors and the public via the Council’s website to support and maximise funding opportunities for specific Communities of Interest in the Borough.

It was hoped that the findings of this report would enable the Council to establish and maintain effective ways to consult with Communities of Interest and would drive forward community involvement and consultation in relation to policy and service delivery across the Borough and used as a tool to support and inform key strategies. The report had received a great deal of interest and requests have already been made for dissemination.   

Resolved:-  (1)  That the main findings from the report as outlined at Section 7 of this report be noted.

(2)  That the findings of the report be taken into account by Programme Areas in developing policies and services.

(3)  That dissemination of the key findings to Programme Areas and interested partner agencies be undertaken.

(4)  That this report be a first in a series of reports to be developed by the Policy and Research Team looking at the needs and priorities of the various communities of Interest in the Borough.

Members welcomed to the meeting four representatives of Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR): Janet Wheatley (Chief Executive), Peter Broxholme (Chair), Keith Dodson and Debbie Heath.

WaheedAkhtar (Partnership Officer) gave an overview of key issues in relation to the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Voluntary Action Rotherham.  The overview included: -

·              The review of grant aid funding towards a commissioning approach.

·              The role of Voluntary Action Rotherham as a key infrastructure organisation for the voluntary and community groups in the borough.

·              Progress on key objectives within the S.L.A.

It was noted that progress had been made towards achieving all the objectives and that there were no major under-performance issues to report.

Janet Wheatley gave a presentation to the meeting about the aims and objectives of VAR and the wider role of the community and voluntary sector. The presentation and subsequent discussion included the following issues:-

·              Voluntary Action Rotherham’s progress – recognition and sub-regional lead infrastructure of the voluntary/community sector, clear focus underpinned by clear systems and procedures and robust governance.

·              Evidence of Voluntary Action Rotherham’s progress – regularly audited targets, Investors in People Assessment, clear business plan, a growing membership base and Voluntary Action Rotherham’s representation.

·              Future Priority Areas – delivery against the Service Level Agreement, progress on procurement, volunteering, full cost recovery, technical services, Compact development, work with C.E.N., V.O.I.C.E. and N.O.P., development of a voluntary sector strategy and closer working with the Council.

·              Immediate Challenges – progress of the S.Y.I.P. proposal, continued involvement with Local Area Agreements and modernisation and development of the sector.

Members welcomed the good work and the achievements made by its Senior Management Team and welcomed the role now being undertaken by Voluntary Action Rotherham and emphasised the need for this progress to be sustained.

Particular reference was made to the future role for Community Development Workers and Members were informed that funding by N.R.F. would end in March, 2006.  Further discussions would take place with other agencies to explore whether there were opportunities for these to be posts to be funded from elsewhere.

Voluntary Action Rotherham was committed to the concept of partnership working with the L.S.P. and the Council.  Further discussions would also take place on the support provided by Yorkshire Forward.

Further information was provided on the Community Development Strategy and the Rotherham Compact and the role Voluntary Action Rotherham had alongside the Council.  Membership charges, it was noted, would be graded appropriately to prevent any community sector groups being socially excluded.

Resolved:- (1)   That representatives of Voluntary Action Rotherham be thanked for their attendance.

(2)  That the continuing importance of a close working relationship between the Council and Voluntary Action Rotherham be acknowledged.

(3) That the appropriate officers report further on ways in which the Borough Council might continue to support the role and work of Voluntary Action Rotherham.

(4)  That a further Liaison Meeting take place on Monday, 27^th February, 2006 at 11.00 a.m.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion take place on Monday, 19^th December, 2005 commencing at 10.00 a.m.