Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion held on 27th June, 2005 be approved as a correct record.

The Chairman confirmed that memberships were now finalised.

Andrew Balchin, Head of Neighbourhood Development Services, presented the submitted report detailing the recommendations of the independent Neighbourhood Management Study which had been subject to consultation with all partners.

The Study identified the scope for developing new approaches to service delivery based on neighbourhood management principles across the Borough, identified the areas of agreement and some of the  barriers to be overcome, and made recommendations on the way forward.

The Rotherham Partnership Board had accepted the conclusions and recommendations at its meeting on 12th May, 2005 a summary of which was included in the report.

The key roles were as follows :-

o       Develop a common definition of Neighbourhood Management and agree a set of principles around budgets; commitment/ empowerment; resolving service delivery issues at a neighbourhood level; boundaries; cost effectiveness and local decision making set within the strategic context

o       Develop a Neighbourhood Management model which partners can ‘buy in’ to and takes account of the findings of this study. For example, the future role of Area Assemblies making the link between local communities and service providers.

o       Ensure all defined neighbourhoods in Rotherham develop plans for implementing  Neighbourhood Management

o       Monitor and update partner organisations on the progress of Neighbourhood Management, and review the long term impacts.

o       Address, working with partners, the issue of longer term funding and coverage of community partnerships.

o       Oversee the development of joint local intelligence systems which ensure no one partner agency is vulnerable.

o       Ensure Neighbourhood Management is ‘championed’ across Rotherham by the Rotherham Partnership.

o       Oversee the work of local current Neighbourhood Management activities receiving reports and ensuring action learning is shared and informs the development of a Neighbourhood Management model for Rotherham.

The recommendations of the Study had been supported by the Corporate Management Team and the Cabinet.

Discussion and a question and answer session ensued and the following issues were covered :-

• Neighbourhood Management Co-ordination Group
• key roles
• role of area assemblies
• integrated services
• Community Partnerships

• working with informal networks
• community representation with community knowledge
• Children and Young People’s Services
• Diversity Issues

Resolved:- (1) That the recommendations of the Neighbourhood Management Study be supported.

(2) That a progress report be submitted in three months.

Andrew Balchin, Head of Neighbourhood Development Services presented briefly the submitted report regarding principles to be adopted in considering and agreeing a common approach to defining the geographical basis of “neighbourhoods” in Rotherham to support the delivery of Neighbourhood Management.

The proposals had been supported by Cabinet at its meeting on 6th July, 2005.

The Neighbourhood Management Study (Minute No. 14 refers) had highlighted a lack of clarity regarding the definition of a neighbourhood. In addition, a number of stakeholders had identified the need for greater alignment between service providers working to common boundaries.

A series of draft neighbourhood boundaries had been determined through an initial assessment by the Neighbourhoods Programme Area and South Yorkshire Police. The boundaries had been presented for consultation with partners at the Chief Executive Officers Group in April, 2005 to determine whether they provided a suitable building block for the development of partnership strategies for community planning and service delivery.

It was vital that a common definition of neighbourhoods maximised opportunities for providing a good “fit” with existing successful local initiatives and promoted new opportunities for joined up service delivery. The success of neighbourhood management would depend on achieving buy in from all partners. The further work proposed would strengthen the development and provide the necessary time to achieve agreement with key partners.

The report set out :-

• the three main outcomes for local communities that the Chief Executive Officer Group agreed Neighbourhood Management would contribute to

• considerations towards defining neighbourhood boundaries as agreed by the Co-ordination Group

• issues to be taken forward by the Co-ordination Group relating to the neighbourhood boundaries as put forward by the Chief Executives Group

Discussion ensued and particular reference was made to discussions being held with Education representatives and headteachers the progress of which would form part of the next update report.

Resolved:- (1) That the area assembly boundaries be accepted as the starting point to take forward proposals in relation to neighbourhood management.

(2) That the proposed work of the Neighbourhood Management Co-ordination Group in relation to PCT restructuring, integrated children’s services, Area Assemblies and Community Partnership, be supported.

(3) That a further report on the outcomes of this work be submitted in September, 2005.

(4) That a further report be submitted from the Neighbourhood Management Co-ordination Group on the perceived benefits of enhancing arrangements above the seven area assemblies to provide a proportionate response to the strategic planning issues from all the partner agencies.

(5) That a further report be submitted on the perceived benefits of identifying common boundaries for much smaller areas for intensive management initiatives, the provision of day to day services or data capture purposes.

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, updated members on the present position regarding the above.

It was highlighted that, since the London bomb incidents on 7th July, 2005, the Council, together with its partners at South Yorkshire Police, the Voluntary and Community Sector and Faith Communities, had taken proactive action to reassure the community and maintain community relations. Specific actions were outlined.

It was stressed that the focus was on promoting unity, challenging racial discrimination and reprisals, and community safety.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, updated the Members on the latest position regarding the above, indicating that, although the terms of the lease had been agreed, completion could not take place pending further work in respect of insurance for the building and an asbestos survey.

General discussion ensued regarding the St. Ann’s Building and potential options for the site.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

(Councillor Sangster declared a personal interest in the above item)

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, reported that, following the closure of the Racial Equality Council (REC), the MAARI project had been working under the management of the Diversity Forum which was a voluntary sector project.

A new project appraisal had been completed and the SRB Management Committee, at its meeting on 14th July, 2005, had agreed for the project sponsor to be transferred formally from the REC to the Diversity Forum,

The Equalities and Diversity Manager had held meetings with the Chair of the Diversity Forum and the Accountable Body regarding the financial arrangements for MAARI.

In the short term, 2005/06 it was proposed that monies used previously to fund the core costs of the REC be used to maintain the MAARI project.

A service level agreement was being drafted and would be submitted to the next meeting for approval.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

(Councillor Ali declared a personal interest in the above item)

Resolved:- That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member, Community Cohesion take place on Monday, 26th September, 2005 commencing at 10.00 a.m.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following to prevent any unnecessary delay in processing the matter referred to)

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 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (financial assistance provided by the Authority).

(Exempt under Paragraph 5 of the Act – information relates to financial assistance provided by the Council)

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, presented briefly the submitted report requesting financial assistance for the legal fees relating to the transfer of trusteeship for Dinnington Community Centre.

Resolved:- That the request for £3,697.59 from the Infrastructure and Corporate Initiatives Budget be approved for the Dinnington Community Centre legal fees.