Issue - meetings

(a)  That Cabinet Notes the content of the report;

(b)  That Cabinet approves the approach outlined in the report of challenging LAPs to focus on the key strategic issues facing the Borough Council and its partners, namely health and well-being; economic development; and stronger and safer communities and to further challenge LAPs to develop projects/areas of work in each of these areas;

(c)  That Cabinet requests that each of the Borough’s nine LAPs produce a progress report setting out performance in each of these areas of work for consideration by the Borough Council and its partners towards the end of the 2014/15 municipal year.

(d)  That the minutes from the Parish and Town Council Forum minutes be distributed to all Members.

A report was submitted to advise Cabinet of the development of LAPs and links to the Borough Council’s Co-operative Strategy.

The report sought Cabinet approval for the further development of LAPs via establishing LAPs with the challenge of developing proactive and reactive projects/areas of work in relation to the three key strategic areas of the Borough Council and its partners, namely:

•           Health and Well-Being

•           Economic Development

•           Stronger and Safer Communities

One of the Council’s key corporate priorities was becoming a co-operative council. A key element of co-operative working was focused on locality working – recognising diversity of the Borough’s different areas and working with these different communities in understanding their needs and issues and developing solutions to meet these needs and deal with these issues. In order to progress this, it was necessary to work closely with the Borough’s nine Locality Action Partnerships (LAPs) to ensure they were working effectively and addressing the needs of the areas they covered in key strategic areas. This report set out an approach to doing this.

A query was raised regarding communicating any changes to the parish councils. The Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Localism stated that the Council would lead on this and ensure that the Parish Councils were kept informed at the regular Parish Council Forum meetings that the Council hosted.

Some concern was also raised regarding the fact that many people were unable to attend LAP meetings as they often met during the day. Members also noted that it was imperative that LAPs and Parish/Town Councils were able to work together and the three priority areas listed above would hopefully provide them with a good steer. It was also stated that LAPs needed to become more representative of the communities that they served.

A request was made that the minutes from the Parish and Town Council Forum minutes be distributed to all Members.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

(a)  Notes the content of the report;

(b)  Approves the approach outlined in the report of challenging LAPs to focus on the key strategic issues facing the Borough Council and its partners, namely health and well-being; economic development; and stronger and safer communities and to further challenge LAPs to develop projects/areas of work in each of these areas;

(c)  Requests that each of the Borough’s nine LAPs produce a progress report setting out performance in each of these areas of work for consideration by the Borough Council and its partners towards the end of the 2014/15 municipal year.

(d)  That the minutes from the Parish and Town Council Forum minutes be distributed to all Members.