Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Councillor Aled Morris Jones to the meeting as Portfolio Member for Social Services and Housing.

To receive any declaration of interest from any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

No declaration of interest was received.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee held on 9^th July, 2015.

The draft minutes of the meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee held on 9th July, 2015 were confirmed as correct.

Matters arising thereon:-

Item 4 - In relation to engagement arrangements and the work undertaken in the Seiriol Ward, the Chief Officer, Medrwn Môn reported that Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty is unable to visit the Seiriol Ward on the 5^th November as planned. He stated that she was very eager to re-schedule her visit at a later date.

Item 5(a) – Review of the Third Sector - Final Report

The Director of Community noted that the status of the draft report would be changing from draft to final and that there were two elements to consider, namely:-

1.  To ensure that action in the final report be addressed.

2.  To ensure that key information is kept up to date and information shared.

Item 5(a) 1. Terms of Reference for the Committee

In relation to meetings, the Head of Democratic Services sought the views of the Committee as to whether current arrangements in relation to holding three meetings per year should be changed.

RESOLVED that the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee continues to convene meetings three times per year.

Nomination of Lead Member

Item 5(a) 3. Nomination of Lead Member

The Council Leader advised that the Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing be nominated as Lead Member.

Item 7 – The Council’s Procurement Arrangements

The Chief Officer, Medrwn Môn reported that a briefing session to support the Third Sector would be taking place in November.

(a)  To receive an update from the Leader of the Council on the budget setting process and the savings programme for 2015/16.

(b)  The Director of Community to report on proposed consultation with the Third Sector.

(a)  The Leader of the Council provided an update on the budget setting process and savings programme and advised that the Council was currently holding a series of Member workshops to consider how to address a funding gap of 5.7 million for 2016/17. Furthermore, the Executive would be meeting on the 9th November to consider budget proposals and public consultation would take place during November/December, 2016 and the Voluntary Sector briefed.

Arising from discussion in the context of reduced budgets going forward, it was noted that there was scope for Medrwn Môn to discuss funding opportunities via the Charitable Trust. The Chief Officer, Medrwn Môn stated that this would be considered by the Third Sector.

RESOLVED to accept the report.

(a)  To receive any observations or amendments to the draft Funding Code of Practice.

(b)  To agree the process of formally adopting the Code.

(c)  To receive an update on the outcome of the joint workshop held on the

1st October, 2015.

The Director of Community provided an update following the joint workshop held on 1st October which was welcomed by the 3rd Sector as a basis for partnership working.

The following points were highlighted:-

•  Need to encourage consistent practice by both Council officers and voluntary sector to ensure that the framework is implemented;

•  Need timely information regarding Council priorities and implications for commissioning and budgets;

•  Further opportunities for joint learning and support from organisation eg. “Wales Co-operative”;

•  The scope for the Council’s procurement services to provide guidance on the Council’s procurement arrangements.

RESOLVED to accept the report and to request feedback from Medrwn Môn on the draft document prior to confirmation by this Committee and subsequent annual reviews.

To receive a report from the Chief Officer, Medrwn Môn.

The Chief Officer, Medrwn Môn referred to the report on Community Benefits arising from the Wylfa Newydd project prepared by the Economic Development Department in February, 2014 and requested that this Committee be provided with information in due course on the work done as part of the Community Voices project in North Anglesey.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive an update from the Director of Community.

The Director of Community reported on the provision of information by key agencies and training opportunities in advance of when the Act is implemented in April 2016.

Specific reference was made to arrangements across North Wales and key information on the Care Council Wales website.

RESOLVED to note the report.

The Director of Community to report.

(See attached - report by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations on Third Sector Capability and Resilience in Powys)

The Director of Community referred to a report by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations on Third Sector Capability and Resilience in Powys.  It was agreed that the Director of Community and representatives from Medrwn Môn would meet to explore the benefits of undertaking a similar exercise on the Isle of Anglesey.

Ms Lyndsey Williams, Community Voice Project reported that a training session on Collective Learning and Action would be held on 3rd November, 2015 at Carreg Bran Hotel, Llanfairpwll in connection with the work undertaken in the Seiriol Ward to embed community engagement.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services, as submitted to the Executive on 21^st September, 2015.

The Head of Democratic Services reported on the Executive’s Forward Work Programme for the period October, 2015 to May, 2016 as presented to the Executive on the 21st September, 2015.

The Head of Democratic Services referred to the Work Programmes of the two Scrutiny Committees and ongoing work with Medrwn Môn to utilise the Community Voice project to inform discussions.

RESOLVED to accept the report.

Information was presented to this Committee in the work of the Refugee Task Force established by the First Minister.

RESOLVED to note the report and await further information in due course.

RESOLVED that the next meeting of this Committee will be held at Penysarn Village Hall on the 15th January, 2016.

Before concluding the meeting, the Chairman referred to the impending retirement of Mrs Gwen Carrington, and he wished to record the Committee’s appreciation and thanks for her support and contribution to the work of this Committee.