Present

Councillors Barton, Ford, Rawlinson and Shadrick

Apologies

Councillor Temperley

*66 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2007 be signed as a correct record.

*67 Children s Centres in Torridge, Bideford and Holsworthy: Roll Out

(Councillor Barton declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor at the Bideford Children s Centre)

The Committee received a presentation from the District Co-ordinator and Centre Managers on progress of the development of the Children Centre programme from these centres. The presentation covered an overview of the current position and future plans over a second and third phase, the aim of the Centres and areas they covered. Members discussion points with the officers included:

there were no restrictions on parents accessing their preferred centre within the County

areas not currently covered would be addressed during the second and third phases of the programme

use of community transport to help parents access facilities

the importance of outreach work from the centres to access hard to reach families and communities

the on going evaluation work being carried out using a common data base across the centres and with examples of positive individual case studies. This was a long term project with the benefits being judged over 10 -15 years

the aim of encouraging parents in the running of groups and to undertake outreach projects

the aim of increasing the range of child day care services

the success of the recent planning application for a centre attached to the Holsworthy primary school to deliver services to more rural locations

the positive feedback about the services from families.

Members thanked the officers for their interesting and informative presentation

*68 Update on Member Development Strategy and Charter

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Personnel and Performance (PP/07/53 - text only | pdf PP/07/53) on an overview of the provision of learning and development opportunities for County Councillors to help them in their role both as community leaders and as representatives of the County Council. The report covered the current position and the joint work with other local authorities in Devon through the South West Charter for member development to provide cost effective services. The meeting referred to the advantage of locally customised training across the tiers of local government, and to the important role for members as community leaders, particularly with the new political executive arrangements.

It was moved by Councillor Rawlinson, duly seconded and

RESOLVED that the position on Member Development be noted and that Councillor Shadrick be appointed to serve on the Member Development Steering Group.

*69 Adult and Community Services Modernisation

The Committee received a presentation by Paul Collinge (Deputy Assistant Director North Mid Devon, Adult and Community Services Directorate) on the progress of the modernisation programme for Adult and Community Services in the Torridge area. This covered the ongoing negotiations with Shaw Health Care Ltd, the preferred bidder in respect of residential and domiciliary care services across the County; new care management systems; and ongoing commitment through the transitional processes to people entitled to adult social services.

Members discussion points with the Deputy Assistant Director covered:

trade union recognition issues

the objective of maintaining independence for people in their own homes and the specialised and complex needs for people requiring residential care

Shaw s proposals for individual County Council sites/units and that local members would be involved proposed changes and developments in respect of individual sites

the need to keep staff engaged

the importance of quality control and supervision of the contract when implemented

the work of the Assessment and Review Teams and Complex Care Teams involving integrated and multi disciplinary work; and development of the new brokerage service.

The Committee thanked the Deputy Assistant Director for his presentation.

70 Second Homes Council Tax Update

(An item taken under Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item as a matter of urgency in order that the Committee s view could be sought)

The Committee considered the report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance, IT and Trading on the use of receipts from second homes council tax in the years 2004/05 and 2005/06 agreed by the Executive and Torridge District Council. There was no time limit in respect of the uncommitted balances.

Councillor Rawlinson moved, duly seconded

RESOLVED that the progress in use of the Second Homes Council Tax in Torridge be noted and that proposals from Torridge District Council for use of the uncommitted budget set out in section 3.2 (a) and (b) be supported.

*71 Sustainable Community Strategy and LAA

(a) Developing the Devon Sustainable Community Strategy and the Second Generation Local Area Agreement 2008 2011

The Committee received the report of the Community and Strategy Officer (EEC/07/258/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/07/258/HQ) on the process, timetable and progress on the development of the priorities for the Sustainable Community Strategy. This would be aligned to the 2008 -11 Devon Local Area Agreement.

(b) Joint North Devon and Torridge LSP

The Community and Strategy Officer reported that the second meeting of the new Joint Local Strategic Partnership would be held shortly and that a conference would be arranged for November which would afford an opportunity to discuss the priorities to be included within a new Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) to 2020. This would also build on the emerging Devon SCS and Local Area Agreement.

It was agreed that consideration could be given to a special joint meeting of the Torridge and North Devon County Committees to reflect on these issues.

(c) Newly Published Parish Plans

The Committee received newly published parish plans for Abbotsham and Monkleigh, together with a schedule of proposed actions by Devon County Council. A letter will now be sent to the parishes congratulating them on their parish plans and setting out how the County Council might help.

*72 Safer Devon Partnership

The committee considered the report of the Community and Strategy Officer (CX/07/82 - text onlyCX/07/82) on an overview of the range of services funded via the SDP and how this was allocated into each District and a District based summary of the usage of the SDP pooled budget.

The report gave a breakdown of activities on each of the SDP themes: volume crime; domestic abuse; alcohol and drugs; anti-social behaviour; youth crime; and prejudice and hate crime. More information specific to the Torridge area could be provided to members on request.

Members referred to the problems relating to alcohol consumption by youngsters and associated anti social behaviour and the work of the Children s Centres in terms of domestic abuse; and also concerns about prejudice directed towards migrant workers in the area. These were themes that would be included in the discussions about priorities for the LSP and the Local Area Agreement.

An annual update report would be submitted to the Committee.

*73 Position Statement on the County Committee Locality Budget for 2007/08 as at 3 September 2007

The Committee considered the report of the Community and Strategy Officer (EEC/07/259/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/07/259/HQ) on expenditure by members as at 3 September 2007 and remaining balances. The Community and Strategy Officer would be in touch with members to discuss proposals within their divisions.

*74 Forward Plan

The Community and Strategy Officer reported on the forward plan which would include a paper to the next meeting of the progress of the development of the Strategy for Rural Torridge (Minute 61).

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held in the Northam area.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15 pm and finished at 4.50 pm

The Minutes of this Committee are published on the County Council's Website at:-