Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion held on 30^th January, 2006 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Deborah Fellowes, External and Regional Affairs Manager, gave an update report on the third element of the N.R.F. proposals, the Community Chest.

It was suggested that the Community Chest element be sub-contracted to an organisation to manage on behalf of the Rotherham Partnership, subject to a small management fee of between 5% - 10%.

From discussions to date it was proposed that an organisation such as Voluntary Action Rotherham, who already had the structures, knowledge and skills to manage the project, be approached directly to deliver this service.

However, a brief, clearly outlining what would be required, would now be written for the Community Chest management to be put out to a competitive bid, as Voluntary Action Rotherham’s proposed management fee was greater than 10%.

Resolved:-  That the information be noted.

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, gave a verbal report on the proposed Newsnight feature on Diversity in Rotherham.

Every effort was being made to contact the producer of the show to ensure that filming was relaxed without any cause for tension or concern.

Councillor Ali, Senior Adviser for Community Cohesion, was in receipt of an e-mail suggesting that filming to introduce the area and set the context would begin from 28^th February, 2006.  The date for this to be shown on television was yet to be confirmed.

Members were mindful of the topical events that had been reported and saw this as an opportunity to ensure the right image was promoted with balanced reporting.

Resolved:-  That the information be noted.

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, submitted a report outlined how the Council was currently addressing the “rural agenda” and the main rural policy challenges in response to the Year Ahead Commitment (7).

The report also put forward key priorities that would need to be addressed when developing the Rural Strategy itself in order to improve the economic, environmental and social well-being of areas of Rotherham that faced rural issues.

The position statement outlined the key national and regional issues affecting rural policy development in Rotherham.  It covered rural definition, looked at the profile of Rural Rotherham and examined how the Council was addressing service provision, strategy development and involvement/inclusion.  In line with the Corporate Plan commitment, the report set out key issues that would need to be addressed when taking forward the development of a Rural Strategy. 

Particular reference was made to Rural Rotherham, the national and regional policy context, the Council’s approach to rural issues, how Rotherham was performing and the way forward.

Resolved:-  (1) That the development of a Rural Strategy based on the recommendations set out in Section 7 of the position statement, to be delivered by end of May, 2006, be agreed.

(2)  That the involvement of Programme Areas in developing the Rural Strategy be agreed along with a steering group being established, chaired by the relevant Cabinet Member.

(3)  That a further report be submitted in April 2006 outlining progress and presenting a draft Rural Strategy.

To receive a presentation - Voluntary Action Rotherham’s S.L.A. Update.

Members welcomed to the meeting representatives of Voluntary Action Rotherham (V.A.R.), Janet Wheatley (Chief Executive), Peter Broxholme (Chair) and Keith Dodson.

Janet Wheatley gave a presentation to the meeting on V.A.R.’s progress to date.

Janet Wheatley provided in-depth detail and drew particular attention to:-

·              South Yorkshire Investment Plan.

·              Local Area Agreement.

·              Voluntary Sector Strategy.

·              Research into future of Neighbourhood Level infrastructure in Rotherham.

·              General V.A.R. Update.

Members welcomed the good work and the achievements so far and the need for the progress to be sustained.

A question/answer session ensued and the following issues were raised:-

·              B.M.E. Network Co-ordinator, which would safeguard activity to support the B.M.E. community.

·              Need for liaison for cross cutting issues for communities of interest work.

·              V.A.R.’s proposals for the South Yorkshire Investment Plan.

·              Close working of the Local Area Agreement.

·              Pooling of funding streams via the Council.

·              Revised version of the Voluntary Sector Strategy out for consultation.

·              Current roles of existing Community Development Workers.

·              V.A.R. Chair of Proud spoke and the secondment of a Council employee.

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

(2)  That the information contained in the presentation be noted.

(3)  That a further Liaison Meeting take place on Monday, 26^th June, 2006 at 11.00 a.m.

(4)  That further liaison meetings take place during October, 2006 and February, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion take place on Monday, 27^th March, 2006 at 10.00 a.m.