MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP BOARD HELD ON 28 th MAY, 2014

Transcription

1 AGENDA ITEM NO. 2 MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP BOARD HELD ON 28 th MAY, 2014 PRESENT Councillors M Macmillan & M Holmes (both Renfrewshire Council); D Martin, Chief Executive; S MacDougall, Director of Community Resources; M Crearie, Director of Development & Housing Services; R Naylor, Director of Education & Leisure; P Macleod, Director of Social Work; and O Reid, Service Manager (Chief Executive s) (all Renfrewshire Council); A McNiven, Chief Executive (Engage Renfrewshire); L de Caestecker, Director of Public Health (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde); N Burns, Superintendent (Police Service of Scotland); and D Leese, Chief Executive and F MacKay (both Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership). Councillor M Macmillan presided. IN ATTENDANCE C MacDonald and Y Farquhar (both Renfrewshire Council); J Curran and L Mahon (both Alcohol Focus Scotland); R McGrath (Renfrewshire Council); S Graham (West College Scotland); and P Nelis (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service). APOLOGIES S Black, Director of Finance & Corporate Services (Renfrewshire Council); B Davidson, Chief Executive (Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce); P Tanzilli, Area Commander (Scottish Fire and Rescue); J Anderson, Paisley Campus Director (University of the West of Scotland); A Cumberford, Principal & Chief Executive (West College Scotland); A Speirs, Chief Superintendent (Police Service of Scotland); and A Dick, Community Planning Liaison Manager (Renfrewshire Forum for Empowering our Communities). 1. MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE BOARD HELD ON 19 th FEBRUARY, 2014 ACTION There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Community Planning Partnership Board held on 19 th February, DECIDED: That the Minute be noted. 2. UPDATE ON KEY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES (a) 18/24 Public Sector Employment Opportunities M Crearie updated the Board on the employability agenda which had been agreed by the Partners in September The Board had established the need for further partner intervention in youth employability and a range of available programmes had previously been outlined to CPP partners. Partners had been contacted late December 2013 and again in January/February 2014 to ascertain their active and potential involvement in the Invest in Renfrewshire initiative and it was intimated that progress was disappointing. The Board were advised of the responses received and M Crearie advised that her staff would continue to pursue the matter with all partners.

2 Arising from discussion, further work from Partners was required to ensure the success of this strategic priority. Members of the Board were asked to take a closer look at their organisations to identify any employment capacity they might have and if possible to redirect appropriate spend in order to ensure that this strategic objective was achieved. Councillor Macmillan stressed that the Board required to do more to care for the 500 young people who were currently unemployed within Renfrewshire and he intimated that the Council would assist and work with any partner to achieve that aim. DECIDED: That all partners continue to identify employment capacity and look to redirect appropriate spend in order to ensure that the strategic objective was met. All partners (b) Food Policy S MacDougall updated the Board on the Sustainable Food Strategy which was presented to the Community Planning Partnership at its meeting in February The strategy was designed to develop a sustainable and resilient food economy to help the regeneration of neighbourhoods, strengthen local economies and improve community cohesion, diversity and future prosperity. The Board were advised that the draft strategy was being presented to all local area committees to raise awareness of the strategy development. Positive feedback and lots of ideas had been generated from these events. A Food Strategy Consultation event was scheduled for 25 th June and a business consultation event was being organised to highlight awareness of the strategy and gain input and support. It was noted that 6 TOPS candidates had been taken on in the school catering service; funding had been secured to establish new growing grounds next to Weavers Lynn respite centre; a Recovery Cafe had been established at St Matthews Church and was doing well; meetings were ongoing with third sector organisations relative to developing community enterprise businesses around food; and the redesign of the Atrium was currently underway which would provide better opportunities for progressing various strands of the food strategy. DECIDED: That the update be noted. (c) Tackling Poverty Commission R McGrath updated the Board on the Tackling Poverty Commission which held its first meeting on 25 th April, The first part of the meeting was an opportunity to get to know each other and to establish and agree ground rules. The Commission gave consideration to and agreed its terms of reference which were based on five key issues: prevention; alleviation; looking at the roots of poverty; attitudes; and what councils and partners could do to influence key national policies. It was agreed that three new members would be asked to join the Commission; Amanda McMillan, Managing Director, Glasgow Airport; Ian McLean, Director, Bridgewater Housing Association; and Alison Watson, Head of Services, Shelter Scotland.

3 It was highlighted that the Scottish Government, in its Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland Our Approach was based around the themes of Pockets, Prospects and Places and that it would be appropriate for the Commission to report on these headline themes. These themes were then sub-divided and lead Commissioners were allocated specific themes in order that they could determine, with local organisations, the best method of engagement with relevant local people and communities, including evidence required, and the best way to obtain the information. DECIDED: (d) Resources That the update be noted. F MacKay gave an update on Resource Planning. At the Community Planning Partnership Board meeting in February 2014, it was reported that discussion with the Scottish Government concluded that it was preferable for Resource Planning not to drill down to Thematic Board level but rather apply resource principles to key policy areas with progress being monitored. Two areas which were currently being looked at across partners were learning and education to scope out the potential for sharing resources. It was noted that five councils within the Clyde Valley had been sharing learning and education resources and potential areas for joint work working included: Shadowing opportunities for partners Senior manager/leadership joint development Sharing training resources The Board was also updated on the short life working group which had been set up to establish a partnership asset register. All partners had been contacted, information obtained, and the data was currently being uploaded into EPIMS (Electronic Property Information Management System) a government system already used by the NHS and the Council. It was noted that once the asset register was complete, partners could use it to plan service change. DECIDED: That the updated be noted. 3. FOCUS ON ALCOHOL (a) Presentation by Police Scotland N Burns gave a presentation which outlined current priorities, performance and emerging issues relating to the problems with Alcohol. Discussion centered around the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and it was noted that the impact would be significant in terms of visitor numbers and the likely problems with alcohol consumption. Police Scotland advised that their planning team had been working hard to ensure a safe and secure Commonwealth Games and by working with partners they would assist people going about their everyday lives. It was noted that street pastors would be available to offer support if required. DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

4 (b) Community Health Partnership There was submitted a report by the Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership relative to the impact of alcohol in Renfrewshire. The report advised that there was clear evidence of increasing numbers of people drinking above the recommended limits. Excessive alcohol consumption could lead to a range of health and social issues and wider social problems included family disruption, absenteeism from work and financial difficulties. It was noted that the rate of alcohol related emergency hospital discharges in Renfrewshire ( ) was 1000 which was significantly higher than the Scottish rate of 693. However, a lot of positive work was being carried out to reduce the figures. DECIDED: That the update be noted. (c) Presentation by Alcohol Focus Scotland A presentation was given by J Curran and L Mahon relative to local action to tackle alcohol harm. The presentation outlined the role and remit of Alcohol Focus Scotland; looked at the problem of alcohol both nationally and locally; and discussed effective policy implementation to tackle alcohol harm at international national and local levels. The presentation suggested that: CPP partners could build awareness of alcohol-related harm and support for alcohol control measures; restrict availability of alcohol; gather evidence in relation to prevention and protection; and look at the overprovision of licensed premises. Discussion centered around ways to tackle the problem and it was stressed that it was important to base findings on solid information and the quality and reliability of data was essential. It was noted that Renfrewshire had a number of drinks companies located in the area who were large employers and played a major part in Renfrewshire s economy. These companies were members of the Scottish Government Alcohol Industry Partnership which was set up in 2007 to promote responsible drinking and to reduce alcohol related harm in Scotland however, as this was a national body it was felt that more could be done on a local level within Renfrewshire. Councillor Macmillan thanked J Curran and L Mahon for coming to the meeting and giving their presentation. He intimated that tackling alcohol problems was considered a priority for the Board and recommendations for action, arising from the presentation and discussion would be identified to take forward. DECIDED: That recommendations for action, arising from the presentation and discussion would be identified to take forward. DM 4. WORKING WITH THE THEMATIC BOARDS The Renfrewshire Community Plan Partnership Board was established last year to maintain an overview of performance management, impact and resource deployment. D Martin intimated that although our CPP had a good reputation nationally, it was important to stay sharp and focused and to ensure that we were making a difference.

5 He advised that during 2012/13 Audit Scotland had reviewed several CPPs and key findings revealed that: Partners should be held to account for their contributions; Partners should be helped to overcome barriers to information sharing; Effective division of labour and effective structures must be in place; and Boards must have effective performance management and scrutiny measures and monitor progress against priorities. He intimated that in relation to the findings, Renfrewshire CPP partners were committed and followed through on the decisions that had been made and that accountability, division of labour and effective structures were developing. Discussion followed regarding the Thematic Boards and it was felt that the Boards were developing and progressing with their action plans. It was agreed that the CPP Board should have oversight of the Thematic Boards to monitor progress and to offer support and encouragement. The feedback from the Thematic Boards would in turn provide fresh ideas and help to inform the Board as they moved forward. It was agreed that the Thematic Boards would be invited to present to the CPP on progress of their agreed outcomes and overall performance and a rolling programme be established of one or two thematic boards presenting to the Board at every meeting dependent upon the agenda. It was noted that Members of Renfrewshire s Forum for Empowering Communities, supported by officers from Engage Renfrewshire, participated in each of the other five thematic boards. Progress and relevant information from each of the Boards was reported at every meeting and that this had proved a useful tool for their members. DECIDED: That a rolling programme be established for each Thematic Board to present to the CPP progress on their agreed outcomes. DM/Clerk 5. REVIEW OF ENGAGE ONE YEAR ON There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Engage relative to the progress of Renfrewshire s Forum for Empowering Communities (the Forum ). The Forum has had five meetings and was made up of senior representatives from significant community and third sector organisations operating within the Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership area. However, it advised that the membership would expand and contract as required to manage emerging issues and developments within the CPP. It was noted that actions and outcomes from each of the other Thematic Boards was communicated to third sector organisations and work was developing to ensure that the full contribution of the third sector to delivering step-change improvements in Renfrewshire was realised. The Forum had been engaged in a number of projects, work streams and initiatives which were outlined within the report. Future plans included working with third sector organisations across Renfrewshire to capture and celebrate their contribution to community planning objectives and developing additional delivery in the local third sector which would impact on community planning targets and strengthen the sustainability and viability of the local third sector in the longer term. DECIDED: That the report be noted.

6 6. TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS FOR RENFREWSHIRE COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD AUGUST 2014 TO MAY 2015 There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Corporate Services relative to the proposed calendar of meeting dates for the Renfrewshire Community Planning Board for the period August 2014 to May DECIDED: That the timetable of meetings to May 2015 be approved. 6. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP THEMATIC BOARD MINUTES There were submitted and noted the Minutes of meetings of the following Thematic Boards:- (i) Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board held on 26 th February, (ii) Jobs and Economy Thematic Board held on held on 6 th March, (iii) Safer & Stronger Renfrewshire Thematic Board held on 1 st April, (iv) Greener Renfrewshire Thematic Board held on 22 nd April, (v) (vi) Renfrewshire Forum For Empowering Communities Thematic Board held on 13 th May, Community Care, Health and Wellbeing Thematic Board held on 15 th May, 2014.