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 24^th April, 2006 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, gave a presentation on the role of the Chief Executive’s Department in Community Cohesion, assisted by Lee Adams (Assistant Chief Executive), Zafar Saleem (Equalities and Diversity Manager) and Andrew Towlerton (Policy and Research Manager).

The presentation drew specific attention to:-

·              The Community Strategy:-

v           Current Position including Themes, Performance Management, Refreshed Structure of Rotherham Partnership and Partners responsible for delivery.

v           Future Issues including links to other initiatives, ensuring delivery through Proud Theme Group and date for refresh of the Community Strategy.

·              Equalities and Diversity:-

v           Current Position including current standings on B.V.P.Is.

v           Future Issues including statutory regulations, widening scope, pending statutory regulations, Audit Commission toolkit, data capture and monitoring and review of the Translation and Interpretation Service.

·              Consultation:-

v           Current Position including activity for the Council, good practice, strengthening of corporate capacity and improvements in sharing results.

v           Future Issues including work to be done, co-ordination, sharing of results and working with partners.

·              Sustainable Development:-

v           Current Position including Council seen as having a pivotal role, additional powers and responsibilities, good progress and development of Sustainable Development Framework.

v           Future Issues including key target tracking national and regionally, balancing of economic growth and improving co-ordination.

·              Social Inclusion:-

v           Current Position including social inclusion as a top priority, range of services, best practice, deprivation from 48^th to 63^rd most deprived local authority.

v           Future Issues including Rotherham’s position in the deprived local authority list, need to improve knowledge and understanding, targeting and integration of Social Inclusion Framework.

·              Voluntary and Community Sector Liaison and Development:-

v           Current Position including number of voluntary organisations, people involved, funding and key organisations, Rotherham Compact, funds secured by V.A.R., Procurement Strategy and Local Area Agreement.

v           Future Issues including Government direction, capacity of voluntary and community sector, new funding streams, exit strategies and Voluntary Sector Strategy.

A number of questions were raised during the course of the presentation relating to:-

-                 Community Strategy and the themes it related to.

-                 External verification of the Equalities Standard at Level 3.

-                 Need for this country to follow suit with a single piece of legislation for equalities.

-                 Equality data capture and monitoring.

-                 Review of the Translation and Interpretation Service.

-                 Rotherham’s best practice approach to consultation.

-                 Need for meaningful consultation and appropriate feedback.

-                 Use of solar panels to move forward with sustainable development.

-                 Expected changes following targeted resources.

-                 Capacity of organisations to deliver on outcomes.

-                 Strength and professionalism of the voluntary sector.

-                 Exit strategies of the voluntary sector and ability to deliver.

-                 N.R.F. Framework breakdown.

-                 Performance management of the voluntary and community sector.

Resolved:-  That the officers concerned be thanked for their informative presentation.

Angela Smith, Neighbourhood Strategy Manager, gave a presentation on the role of the Neighbourhoods Programme Area in Community Cohesion.

The presentation drew specific attention to:-

·              Social Inclusion.

·              Social Excluded Groups.

·              Monitoring Levels of Racial, L.G.B.T. and Domestic Violence Incidents within the Borough.

·              Community Involvement.

·              Parish Councils.

·              Community Leadership.

·              Community Planning.

·              Asylum Programme.

·              Lead Agency.

·              Way forward for the Asylum Programme.

·              Anti-Social Behaviour.

·              Supporting Community Cohesion.

·              The Respect Agenda.

·              Community Cohesion Holistic Approach.

A number of questions were raised during the course of the presentation relating to:-

-                 The Respect Agenda.

-                 Role of V.A.R.

-                 Exit Strategies for the ceasing of Objective 1 funding.

-                 Support to Unsuccessful Refugees and Asylum Seekers by Private Providers.

-                 Appointment of an Off-Road Motor Vehicle Prevention Officer.

Resolved:-  That the Angela Smith be thanked for her informative presentation.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Lee Adams, Assistant Chief Executive, relating to the findings from the thirteenth Rotherham Reachout survey and an outline of the key policy implications for the Council. 

The thirteenth Reachout survey was conducted in December 2005. The questionnaire allowed for a detailed and wide-ranging survey, covering topics including:-

·              Local Democracy.

·              Community Identity and Service Centres.

·              Cultural Services, Community Safety.

·              Occupational Health.

·              Walk In Centres.

·              Reachout survey related questions.

The response rate for Reachout 13 was 65%, which was above average for this type of survey and an Executive Summary of the full report was attached.

Resolved:-  That the findings from the thirteenth survey of Rotherham Reachout and the policy and practical implications identified within this report be noted.

Consideration was given to the appointment of members to various Panels, Sub-Groups and Working Parties for the 2006-2007 Municipal Year.

Resolved:-  That the following appointments be made:-

Members’ Consultation Advisory Group:-

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member

Members’ Sustainable Development Action Group:-

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member

Asylum Seekers Working Party:-

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member

Groundworks Trust Panel:-

Not attended.

Mosque Liaison Group:-

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member

Corporate Equalities and Diversity Steering Group:-

Councillor Burton, Adviser

N.R.F. Commissioning Framework:-

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member

R.M.B.C./B.M.E. Liaison Group:-

Councillor Sharman, Deputy Leader

R.M.B.C./V.A.R. Liaison Group:-

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member, three Advisers and Chair of the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel.

Women’s Strategy Group:-

Councillor Burton, Adviser

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion take place on Monday, 12^th June, 2006 at 8.30 a.m. and from July, 2006 onwards continue on a monthly basis.