Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Sweeney.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Members received a presentation from the Council’s Partnerships Manager explaining the paper prepared by VAST outlining services delivered as part of the County’s infrastructure Contract and those services delivered via the Borough Council[‘s contribution specifically for the District  A copy of this document had been distributed with the papers for the meeting.

Resolved:              That the information be received.

The Council’s Partnerships Manager gave an overview of the feedback received from partners for the LAP Survey 2015/16.  A copy of this document had been distributed with the papers for the meeting.

The Survey had been shared with all partners and distribution lists through the Newcastle Partnership and 15 responses had been received, predominantly from the public sector.  While it was recognised that this figure was lower than anticipated, Members acknowledged that some of the comments received were extremely helpful in putting together a picture of the LAPs and how they are viewed by partners.

Members discussed the responses to the questions that had been received and agreed that these predominantly reinforced a positive experience of partnership working in the localities that could be enhanced by further support and development.

Resolved:              (i)       That the LAP Co-ordinator be asked to share the

mapping exercise with Members undertaken for

the LAP Chairs group to highlight membership of the LAPs and attendance.

(ii)       That the LAP Co-ordinator be tasked to contact Frank Wilson at the County Council to establish a list of contact for the Newcastle schools, which could be used to promote the work of the LAPs and encourage community involvement in the delivery of projects/initiatives.

(iii)      That the LAP Co-ordinator be tasked to establish interests/involvement with other groups/organisations for all LAP Members, to enable wider links to be made for the purposes of partnership working in the localities.  

Members were given an overview from the Council’s Partnerships Manager of a Report prepared for the Panel entitled Locality Action Partnerships – further development. A copy of this document had been distributed with the papers for the meeting.

The contents of the Report was positively received by Members, who highlighted the role of LAPs as a community conduit for partnership working.  Members acknowledged that the role of the Borough Council is to encourage the further development of LAPs in localities and to assist in the promotion of the good work that they are delivering.

Members also acknowledged the work undertaken by LAPs without an available budget, due to the goodwill and enthusiasm from supporting organisations and the wider community e.g. free venues, volunteers time.

The key challenges were recognised and Members encouraged these issues to be shared with LAPs as a two way dialogue, so that partners are able to identify what could be done differently to support the growth and development of the LAPs.

A number of minor amendments were suggested for inclusion in the LAP report;

·        Page 1 – that a recommendation be added for the Council to ensure that LAPs are included in consultation via LAP updates and creation of ‘LAP packs’.

·        Page 1 – that a recommendation be added that feedback is given to LAPs from an Officer and representative from the Cabinet Panel on the findings of the Panel and support going forward for the LAPs.

·        Page 3 – Section 2 – a point to be added to reflect the benefits to partners of attending LAPs to cascade information regarding key services in the Community and the efficiency created by sharing information with the LAPs rather than a number of separate meetings/visits with partners and community champions.

·        Page 4 – Section 3.2 – under key achievements a point to be added to quantify the numbers of attendees to LAPs over a year (therefor supporting the point above).

Resolved:              That the Council’s Partnerships Manager ensure that the

Report is update to include the above points.

The Chair summed up and stated that the following actions were required for the next meeting:

(a)            The Partnerships Manager to update the Report with amendments as outlined in Section 5 above for further discussion and the next meeting.

(b)             The Partnerships Manager to create an additional Appendix summarising the key achievements, challenges, strengths, weakness and areas for improvements for all of the LAPs, so that they can be clearly compared on one document.

(c)            The Partnerships Manager to liaise with LAP Co-ordinator in order to obtain additional information as agreed in Section 4 above.

Resolved:              That the comments be noted.

There were no items raised for discussion.

Monday 29 February, 2016 at 6.15pm in Training Room 1.