Agenda and minutes

To receive any declaration of interest by any Member or Officer regarding any item of business.

No declaration of interest was received.

To submit the minutes of the previous meeting of the Liaison Committee held on 2nd October, 2014.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee on 2^nd October, 2014 were presented and confirmed as correct.

Matters arising thereon:-

The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn reported that, at the previous meeting Aled Roberts had submitted an apology, which had not been included in the minutes.

Item 9 – Social Services and Wellbeing Act

The Director of Community informed this Committee that work was in hand to establish a Delivery Board for Ynys Môn, and that the first meeting of the Board was scheduled to be held in February, 2015.

To discuss the above.

The Corporate Director of Community referred to the Council’s Community Engagement and Consultation Framework which has been developed with the assistance of Medrwn Môn. The framework was largely based on the model for older adult engagement in the Seiriol ward. Reference was also made to the governance arrangement underpinning the model, which included the establishment of a Joint Engagement and Consultation Board between the Council and Medrwn Môn to oversee engagement arrangements across services and make best use of resources. Furthermore, an Engagement and Consultation Working Group would be established between the Council and Medrwn Môn to support the Board and co-ordination of activities.

RESOLVED to accept the report.

To receive an update with regard to the Funding Code.

The Corporate Director of Community referred to the review of the Funding Code of Practice as part of the Compact Agreement and presented a report detailing progress on Third Sector Funding arrangements across the Council.  The scope of the review was to provide clarity on services commissioned from the Third Sector, the Council’s allocation of grant funding to the Third Sector, governance arrangements to monitor the Council’s relationship with the Third Sector and recommend improvements to practices in the future.  The work had identified the significant investment of circa £6.85 million provided to the Third Sector from Council funds in 2014/15.

Medrwn Môn highlighted the importance of ensuring that commissioning arrangements are sufficiently clarified and opportunities for the sector to bid for funding.  Medrwn Môn also requested that the Council move forward as soon as possible to address the findings of the review. The Leader assured the Committee that the Executive would address such matters as soon as possible and would ensure that this is included on the Forward Work Programme.

To consider the initial proposals for the 2015/16 Budget.

Consultation document available on the Council’s website:

http://www.anglesey.gov.uk/Journals/2015/01/05/i/a/g/Budgetproposals_201516_English.pdf

The Council Leader outlined the context and background to Budget proposals for 2015/16.  The Committee was requested to consider proposals for efficiency savings to meet the budget gap for 2015/16 of approximately £4 million. Overall, it is anticipated that the funding gap amounted to approximately £15 million over the next three years.

The Leader then referred to the proposed increase of 5% in Council Tax to meet the budget gap and the schedule of efficiency savings under various headings which have been put forward for by services for consultation.

The Council acknowledged the need to consider the implications of proposals to reduce funding by 5% on the Third Sector and impact on service users.

The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn noted that there was a need for full dialogue with the Council on any proposals and wider community impact, and that the Third Sector would be responding formally to the consultation.

RESOLVED to await the formal response from Medrwn Môn.

Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn to give an overview of the Third Sector programme on Anglesey and within the regional context.

The Chief Officer, Medrwn Môn updated the Committee on the regional context in relation to the future structure of the Third Sector and the likely reduction in the number of CVCs.  He also referred to correspondence from the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, to view the work undertaken in the Seiriol Ward  to promote local engagement as part of  the Local Voices project.

RESOLVED to note the information.

To receive an update.

This item was dealt with under Item 3 above.

To present a copy of the Executive Forward Work Programme as presented to the 12^th January, 2015 Executive meeting.

The Interim Head of Democratic Services reported on the Executive’s Forward Work Programme for the period February to September, 2015 as presented to the Executive on the 12th January, 2015.

This information was circulated to Medrwn Môn on a monthly basis to update the Sector on matters which are scheduled for consideration by the Executive and Scrutiny Committees.

Reference was also made to a joint meeting with Town and Community Councils and the Third Sector on 18th December, 2014, as part of a briefing session to raise awareness and opportunities to add value to the work of Scrutiny Committees.

RESOLVED to accept the report.

To determine a date and venue for the next meeting of the Liaison Committee.

It was agreed that the next meeting be held at 2.00 pm on 9th July, 2015 in Rhosneigr Village Hall.

In preparation for shaping the work of the Committee, the Director of Community recommended that a workshop be held to facilitate discussion on areas which require addressing by the Council and Medrwn Môn.