Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2010 as a correct record

RESOLVED

That subject to Councillor D Brown being added to those in attendance, the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and /or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda.

None

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers

None

To receive a presentation of the Partnerships Business Manager on the work of the Local Area Partnerships

Consideration was given to a presentation, which oulined to the Committee that the Local Area Partnership’s (LAP’s) brought together a wide range of people from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors. By working together they focus collective effort on what really matters, delivering improved outcomes for local people and places. Their role was to improve services, ensure people influence decision making and actively engage and empower communities.

It was reported that there were 7 LAP’s covering the Borough, which all operated differently partly due to the geography of the areas. Councillors Wilkinson, Chairman of the Knutsford LAP; Moran, Chairman of the Congleton LAP and Walker, Chairman of the Nantwich LAP, attended the meeting to explain how their partnerships were operating. It was generally agreed that the LAP’s were working well and evolving; however there should be greater focus on delivery and communication needed to be improved. This should be done through better engagement with the public, publishing meetings and achievements and involving members of the public. One of the next steps would be to move towards quarterly assemblies, which was hoped would be more inclusive for Councillors and members of the public.

RESOLVED

1. That steps be taken to improve publicity of the LAP’s and communication with members of the public.
2. That a report be brought back to the committee in 9 months time

To receive an overview of funding support from Cheshire East to the community and voluntary sector

The Committee received an overview of funding support from Cheshire East to the community and voluntary sector. The report identified how funding for the sector was being considered as part of the business planning process for 2011/12, what communication was taking place with the sector in terms of funding and the next steps in co-ordinating this work across the Council.

It was noted that one of the next steps would be to refine the current list of funding/grants and check that all the relevant funding had been included across the service areas. The Committee requested to receive the current list, however the Portfolio Holder stated that it would not be available for circulation until a policy had been agreed, the information had been brought together and then debated by Corporate Management Team and Cabinet at an away day. Members raised strong concerns regarding this response and eventually it was agreed that the information would be circulated to the Committee as a confidential document.

RESOLVED

That the current list of funding/grants be circulated to the Committee as a confidential document.

To receive an update on the progress made by the Community Safety Warden Task and Finish Group

It was reported that the Task and Finish Group had now met with an external service provider and a representative of the Police. The final report would be brought to Committee on 2 December 2010.

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. The following amendments were made:

1. A report of the Community Safety Warden Task and Finish Group and a report on the Deployment of the PCSO’s/update on the SLA be considered at the Scrutiny Committee scheduled to be held on 2 December 2010.
2. That the work of the LAP’s be reviewed in July 2011.
3. That the response to NI47 be considered at the meeting scheduled to take place on 18 January 2010.

RESOLVED

That the work programme be amended to reflect the issues highlighted above.

To give consideration to the extracts of the forward plan which fall within the remit of the Committee

RESOLVED

That the extracts of the forward plan which fall within the remit of the Committee be noted.