Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meetings held on 19^th October, 2006 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Minute No. 61 – Action Plan on Social Exclusion

A copy of the Action Plan on Social Exclusion was previously circulated to all Members following the Council Seminar, which took place on the 19^th September, 2006.

Minute No. 63 – Equality Standard for Local Government

A final version of the Equality Standard for Local Government would be submitted to the next delegated powers meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion on the 18^th December, 2006 and to Cabinet on the 13^th December, 2006.

In meeting Level 3 of the Equality Standard for Local Government disability, gender and race equality were integrated into Council policy and practice at all levels.

It was noted that the trip to IDeA in London had been cancelled and would be rescheduled for the 8^th February, 2007.

Resolved:-  That approval be given for the Cabinet Member and one Adviser to attend the award of the Equality Mark event at the IDeA on 8^th February, 2007.

Minute No. 64 – Local Democracy Week

A meeting had taken place with the Chief Elections and Electoral Registration Officer regarding the outcome of the Scrutiny Review of Electoral Registration and Voter Turnout in Local Elections.  Arising from this review it was suggested that consideration be given, through a consistent approach, to holding one event involving the people of Rotherham during Local Democracy Week.

Further to Minute No. 35 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion held on 17^th July, 2006, consideration was given to a report presented by Paul Griffiths, Community Leadership Manager, Neighbourhoods, which detailed the request by the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel for the Community Leadership Fund to remain as flexible as possible and for the budgetary allocation to be increased to ensure the maximum benefit for the citizens of Rotherham.

At the meeting of the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny held on 20^th July, 2006, it was suggested that a reserve account be set up into which any underspend was carried forward each financial year. All Members would be advised during March of their remaining balance.  Any Members carrying monies over would receive a ‘statement’ during the first month of the new financial year illustrating the amount of carry over and the new balance to spend. 

It was also indicated that this process be reviewed after one year of operation.  The carry over of grants would be supported by the Community Leadership Manager and no extra costs would be incurred in respect of administration of the scheme.

The Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel also indicated a wish for the amount available for Members to be increased from £500 to £1,000 for the financial year 2007/08.  An increase of £500 to £1,000 per Member would result in an increase in the Community Leadership Fund budget to £63,000.

Following publication of the Annual report and regular reminders to Members 97.5% of the Community Leadership Fund budget was spent during 2005/06. This outperformed previous years by 13.5% and if a similar pattern of spending continued only very small amounts would be carried over from year to year.

The opportunity to carry forward any underspends was welcomed by Members with the proviso that this rolling forward of unspent funds be for one year only.

In terms of the proposals for the Community Leadership Fund to be increased from £500 to £1,000 as part of the budget setting process for 2007/08, it was suggested that the request be deferred pending a further meeting taking place and for the necessary paperwork to be completed.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the request for Members to carry forward any unspent Community Leadership Fund allocation into the next financial year be approved.

(2)  That proposals for the Community Leadership Fund to be increased from £500 to £1,000 per Member as part of the budget setting process for 2007/08 be deferred pending a further meeting by the Cabinet Member and relevant officers.

Further to Minute No. 36 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 17th July, 2006, consideration was given to a report presented by Paul Griffiths, Community Leadership Manager, Neighbourhoods, which detailed the work that had taken place with Parish and Town Councils to enable them to play a full and pivotal role within Neighbourhood Management arrangements in Rotherham, including the new way of working for Area Assemblies and the achievement of the Local Area Agreement target around Quality Parish Council status.

Quality Status required a Parish or Town Council to demonstrate that it was representative of the whole community, communicated with its residents and was properly managed and responsible. The award enhanced the status of local Councils by demonstrating a level of competence that enabled them to play a wider role in terms of consultation, delivery of services, information and partnership working. At the present time only Whiston had achieved Quality Parish Council status within Rotherham.

The Council had agreed a Local Area Agreement target with the Government to support nine local Councils to meet Quality Status by March, 2009. Recent research indicated that Maltby, Anston, Wales, Brinsworth and Wickersley were close to meeting the mandatory criteria.

There were concerns about resource allocations to support the further integration and wider role of Parish and Town Councils, as there were insufficient funds to carry out all the work laid out in the action plan as intended.  It was suggested that a further meeting take place to consider this issue.

Specific attention was drawn to the Parish Council Joint Working Group Action Plan 2006/07, the task status of each action and the coloured reporting mechanism.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the joint working between the Council and Parish and Town Councils be encouraged.

(2)  That the capacity of Parish and Town Councils to play a partnership role within the new way of working for Area Assemblies be developed.

(3)  That the Local Area Agreement target of having nine of Rotherham’s Parish and Town Councils with Quality Parish Status by March, 2009 be achieved through joint training sessions with the Yorkshire Local Councils Association.

(4)  That consideration of additional resource allocation to continue with support for further integration and a wider role of Town and Parish Councils be deferred pending a further meeting by the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, gave a presentation on the Year Ahead, which drew specific attention to:-

·              Publication of a Rural Strategy for Rotherham.

·              Development of the Town Centre Social and Environmental Action Plan.

·              Completion of Community Plans for each Area Assembly.

·              Publication of a Council-Wide Research Plan.

·              Publication of an updated “State of the Borough” Report.

·              Achievement Towards Level 4 of the Equalities Standard for Local Government.

·              Publication of a Women’s Strategy.

·              Publication of a Borough Disability Equalities Strategy.

·              Improvements to Comparative Performance of Boys.

·              Strengthening of Liaison Arrangements with Ethnic Minority Communities.

·              Development of the Respect Agenda.

·              Community Involvement Strategy and Feedback.

Reference was made to the liaison arrangements with the ethnic minority communities, the infrastructure required and how this could be supported.

It was also suggested that regular feedback be provided on the Women’s Strategy consultation and the framework.

Resolved:-  That the information be noted.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Andrew Towlerton, Policy and Research Manager, which detailed the findings from the fourteenth Rotherham Reachout survey and outlined the key policy implications for the Council.  It also provided an update on developments with Reachout more generally.

The fourteenth Reachout survey was conducted between June and August, 2006. The questionnaire allowed for a detailed and wide-ranging survey, covering topics like the local physical environment, the sense of community, local democracy and engagement with public bodies (especially the Council), Streetpride issues, Fairtrade issues, gambling and health.  The response rate for Reachout 14 was 32%, which was above average for this type of survey.

Reference was made to the Executive Summary attached to the report, which had recently been submitted to the Cabinet and Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the findings from the fourteenth survey of Rotherham Reachout and the policy and practical implications identified within this report be noted.

(2)  That the positive developments in relation to the Panel, notably the reintroduction of the Reachout Newsletter, development of a Reachout web-page and the opportunity provided to panel members to visit and hear at first hand how their input had helped shape and inform services as part of Local Democracy Week be noted.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Andrew Towlerton, Policy and Research Manager, which summarised “Opportunity for All”, the eighth annual report on progress on the 1999 Government pledge to eradicate child poverty by 2020. The report highlighted key areas of progress, but pointed to significant challenges ahead. 

Specific reference was made to:-

·              Eradicating Child Poverty.

·              In-work Poverty.

·              Children Living in Workless Households.

·              Educational Attainment.

·              People Aged 50+ and Retired People.

·              Working Age People.

·              Health Inequalities.

·              Teenage Mothers not in Education, Employment or Training.

·              Education Gap of Looked After Children.

It was clear that, while the Government had taken poverty and social exclusion seriously and made genuine progress in reducing disadvantage, much more would need to be done if the Government was to deliver on its Opportunity for All agenda.

The Council was supporting and promoting activities that encouraged social inclusion and these needed to be highlighted to ensure maximum impact for all residents in the borough. 

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

(2)  That the implications for service, policy development and delivery be noted.

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, reported on the good work taking place on profile analysis of Rotherham’s residents, which would inform service delivery.

Resolved:-  That the information be noted.

Consideration was given to a report circulated at the meeting and presented by Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, which detailed the six month progress to date on Community Cohesion.

Specific reference was made to overall performance with successes being achieved in:-

·              Social Inclusion.

·              Asylum Seekers.

·              Equalities Diversity and Cohesion.

·              Community Planning and Community Leadership.

·              Sustainable Development.

·              Consultation and Community Involvement.

·              Anti-Social Behaviour.

·              Parish Councils.

A selection of Key Performance Indicators were highlighted which were specific to Community Cohesion.

It was suggested that as part of the overall monitoring of progress with Community Cohesion all Key Performance Indicators be included in future which related to this area of work.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the report and progress to date be noted.

(2)  That suggestions be welcomed on any further improvements to the range and type of activities being reported on.

(3)  That all Members of the Council be provided with a copy of the report detailing the progress within Community Cohesion for information.

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, circulated an updated copy of the Community Cohesion Forward Plan.

Attention was drawn to the reports to be submitted to the next meeting of the Cabinet Member and additional ones to be added.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the Forward Plan be noted.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion take place on Monday, 18^th December, 2006 at 8.30 a.m.

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 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) -  (information relating to financial or business affairs).

Consideration was given to a report presented by Zafar Saleem, Equalities and Diversity Manager, which requested approval of an additional sum to manage the Community Legal Services Partnership Co-ordinator.

An annual grant was provided to RAIN, but due to an oversight the remaining balance to be paid was slightly short and full payment was now required.

Resolved:-  That the additional sum of £972 to RAIN for the management of the Community Legal Services Partnership Co-ordinator be approved.