Present

Councillors Rawlinson (Chairman), Barton, Ford, and Temperley

Apologies for Absence

Councillor Shadrick

*119 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2008 be signed as a correct record.

*120 Community Centre Group: Winkleigh

The Committee received a presentation by Roger Smith Chairman of the local community group on the Centre and future plans. He outlined the long history of the Hall as the former Village School, the transfer arrangements from the County Council to the Community Group and aspirations for use of the adjacent site in the ownership of the County Council. Mr Smith also outlined the long term maintenance issues, fund raising activities and future development plans for the Centre. He emphasised that they operated an open door policy for the community including for example access for young people to its IT equipment.

The Community Strategy Officer congratulated the work and persistence of the Community Group in acquiring the centre from the County Council based on its business plan and referred to continuing discussions concerning the development of Early Years provision in the village.

The Chairman of the Parish Council Councillor Marjorie Bowers referred to the unsuitability of the existing health centre in the Village. Councillor Rawlinson agreed on the need for an improved Centre with an integrated pharmacy for a village the size of Winkleigh and Councillor Barton as the Executive Lead Member for Adult Services indicated that he would take up the matter with the PCT.

The Chairman thanked Mr Smith for his presentation and congratulated the Community Group for their success and also referred to the valuable work of the Community Strategy Officer in supporting the project.

(Note: See Minute 126 below in regard to the award of funding from this Committee)

*121 Community Engagement/Community Leadership/Duty to Involve

The Committee received a presentation from Gabi Recknagel of Exeter CVS drawing attention to reforms introduced by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, 2007 which, inter alia sought to

give a stronger voice to citizens and communities to shape the areas where they live and the services they receive;

encourage local authorities to provide stronger and more strategic leadership for the places they serve.

Gabi Recknagel indicated that the Act gave local authorities and others a new duty to inform, consult and involve local people, stressing that the Government wanted to increase opportunity for people to engage in decision-making and community action. The presentation covered matters including: Government policy and background to the reforms; concepts and definitions; promotion of best practice; the leadership role of local authorities and support for elected members.

Gabi Recknagel referred to:

work being undertaken by Exeter CVS with the County Council on implementing the reforms - it was acknowledged that the County Council already played a leading role in community engagement;

a paper on the Duty to Involve and practical ways forward - target groups, how to involve local people, how to encourage participation etc (which it was agreed should be circulated to Committee members);

the Take Part Exeter pilot project based on the Active Learning and Active Citizenship learning framework funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government which was being delivered by Exeter CVS in partnership with a wide range of local groups and local authorities;

a report commissioned by the South West Regional Consortium of the National Empowerment Partnership on Engagement and Empowerment in Rural Areas.

Gabi Recknagel responded to queries and comments from members on the challenges which would have to be faced, such as the lack of understanding of/interest in the working of public services. She referred to the pivotal role of elected members in the community engagement process and the support that would be provided by the Exeter CVS and similar organisations. This presentation would provide an overview of government policy, an introduction to key concepts and definitions, and the opportunity to discuss support for Councillors for implementing best practice in Community Engagement.

Members also pointed out that there was no clear blue print for community engagement and that as elected members they were involved with their local communities and acted as their voice or conduit in respect of local issues and as part of policy development, and that the County Council has well developed processes for consultation and engagement.

The Committee noted the documents and thanked Gabi Recknagel for her presentation.

*122 Reducing Teenage Pregnancy in Devon: Briefing Paper with a focus on Torridge and North Devon

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People s Services (CY/09/32) with reference to a joint DCC/PCT paper with a focus on Torridge which included detailed data on teenage pregnancy rates and key elements of strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy. There was an ongoing debate with the Government Office for the South West regarding appropriate achievable targets, and members agreed on the need for careful interpretation within the smaller data groupings, and the need for evaluation of the various strategies for example peer group mentoring initiatives.

The Committee noted the contents of the reports.

*123 14 -19 Curriculum and New Funding Arrangements

The Committee received a presentation by Mike Colton 14-19 Area Co-ordinator (CYPS) on the Devon 14 -19 Partnership giving an update of educational provision for 14 -19 Year Olds within the North Devon Academic Board (NORDAB) Partnership. He outlined the aims of the 14 -19 reforms and the work of the different agencies involved i.e. the County Council, local employers, training providers and the third sector for example, the development of diplomas designed for a broad range of abilities, and work with Plymouth and Torbay to provide a common application process for consistent training opportunities for young people across Devon.

Members noted the need and value of apprenticeships, proper resourcing particularly during the difficult economic climate, and the need for consistent, clear impartial careers advice for young people, and the need to engage the less academically able who can respond positively to the practical aspects of learning and development.

The Committee asked for regular progress reports in this area.

*124 Adult and Community Services Directorate: Externalisation Update for area Committees Planning for Ageing Well in Devon

The Committee received a briefing paper Planning for Ageing Well in Devon by the Adult and Community Services Directorate and received a presentation by Geoff Thomas. The paper outlined the formation of Locality Focus Groups involving all the key stakeholders and arrangements for area work shops. Mr Thomas outlined new arrangements and the timetable for the selection of preferred bidders following the withdrawal of Shaw Health Care and the priority of addressing need, rather than centering on existing provision or individual sites. There would be detailed consultation when proposals have been developed with the PCT and District Councils with emphasis on intermediate care, and differing packages of care provision from nursing/residential care and focussing on helping older people maintain their independence in the community through for example extra care housing and domiciliary support.

Regular progress reports would be submitted to the Committee.

*125 Torridge District Council: Progress of the Needs Assessment as Part of the Ongoing Review of the District Council s Leisure Services Contract

The Community Strategy Officer on behalf of Vikki Braddick (TDC) reported on the development of a joint cultural strategy, being developed with the County Council and on progress on TDCs Leisure Services contract. The timetable for extension and review of current arrangements was outlined, together with opportunities for members and the public to contribute to the consultation arrangements. It was anticipated that final decisions would be made on the shape of provision by June 2010.

Members commended the joint work of the District and County Council on leisure and cultural issues over the last year and the consequent promotion of all-year tourism which makes an important contribution to the economic well being of the area.

The Community Strategy Officer referred to the value of maintaining a themed focus for the work of the Committee throughout the last year in respect of culture and tourism and suggested that the Committee considers a similar approach with a new issue at its next meeting

*126 Locality Budget Proposals and Spend to Date for 2008/09

The Committee considered the report of the County Community Strategy Officer (EEC/09/76/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/09/76/HQ) on the budget position as at 6 March 2009 and spending proposals approved by the Chairman or Vice Chairman since the last meeting. The Committee also considered additional funding applications from ( ..Ali to detail)

It was MOVED by Councillor Rawlinson, SECONDED by Councillor Temperley and

RESOLVED

(a) that the spending proposals set out in the report including those agreed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman be approved and that the budgetary position be noted;

(b) that a grant of 1300 be made to the Winkleigh Community Centre and the grants listed in the appendix attached to these minutes be also approved.

*127 Future Meetings

Thursday, 17 September 2009

9 December

8 March 2010

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2 pm and finished at 4.40.m.

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