Agenda item

To present the minutes of the previous meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee held on 15^th April, 2013.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Liaison Committee held on 15^th April, 2013 were submitted and confirmed as correct.

Arising thereon –

·        The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn referred to the matter of the voluntary sector’s participation in the Authority’s scrutiny process and specifically to the issue of training which he understood was on-going for the Council’s Elected Members. He said that at the Committee’s previous meeting it was mentioned that training opportunities afforded to Elected Members with regard to effective scrutiny might be extended to relevant representatives of the voluntary sector. The Officer went on to say that he felt that there had been undue delay in engaging the voluntary sector in order to ensure that the sector is adequately and appropriately prepared for undertaking a contributory role in scrutiny.

The Head of Service (Policy) informed the Committee that the Scrutiny Manager is intending to report back to this Committee at its next meeting. Elected Members have been provided with training in a range or areas as part of their induction process into the office. He confirmed that it is recognised that the voluntary sector has a key role to play in scrutiny and he said that he would inquire as to the position with regard to scrutiny training.

Action Arising: Head of Service (Policy) to follow-up with the Scrutiny Manager the possibility of  including  voluntary sector representatives within any further planned scrutiny training arrangements and to report back to the Committee.

·        A representative of the Voluntary Sector inquired as to the status of the review of Social Services Contracts and the formulation of a framework within which contracts can be agreed.

The Director of Community confirmed that a template has been agreed and notwithstanding some issues with capacity the objective remains to complete the work according to the arrangements reported at the previous meeting. The review and its completion have taken on greater significance as the local government funding position faces continuing pressure. However, the review has to be conducted service by service and although other matters requiring attention have intervened in the period since the Committee’s previous meeting, the aim is still to establish a methodology and framework for funding contracts with the voluntary sector during the time from now until the autumn.

·        The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn stated that he had been in discussions with the Head of Service (Policy) with regard to the Funding Code which it was agreed requires detailed consideration with input from Finance Officers and the Director of Community. The intention is to convene a meeting at the earliest opportunity and to bring a report back to the Liaison Committee.

Action Arising: Head of Service (Policy) and Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn to liaise to arrange a meeting of relevant officers to discuss the Funding Code and to report back to this Committee.

·        The Head of Service (Policy) confirmed the County Council’s new elected member representation on the Liaison Committee and inquired whether BCUHB had given the matter consideration from the perspective of its own representation. Mr Wyn Thomas, BCUHB informed the Committee that either himself or Eleri Lloyd as local managers would in all likelihood remain the contact points between the Committee and the Health Board and that he did not foresee any change in that situation in the short term.

The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn said that the voluntary sector’s membership of the Liaison had also undergone change following an election. He informed the Committee that over 80 individuals had participated in the election and that over 20 of those who had been successful had put their names forward for consideration as the sector’s representatives on the Liaison Committee which he believed was testament to the extent of the interest in the Committee and its activities. The Officer said that those individuals who had indicated their interest in becoming members of the Liaison Committee potentially formed a pool of members from which could be drawn contributors to the Authority’s scrutiny process.

·        The Chair inquired as to the position in relation to the Compact Agreement. The Head of Service (Policy) confirmed that the Compact was ready to be formally signed by the interested parties and in response to a suggestion by the Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn that the event should be marked appropriately , the Head of Service (Policy) agreed and said that the matter would be given  consideration.

Action Arising: Head of Service (Policy) and Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn to liaise to arrange appropriate means of recognition for the occasion of the signing of the Local Compact Agreement, 2013.