Agenda and minutes

As noted above.

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

None received.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February, 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd February, 2016 were confirmed as correct.

To submit a joint report by the Health & Social Care Impact Officer and the Scrutiny Officer.

Submitted – a joint report by the Health and Social Care Impact Officer and the Scrutiny Officer.

The Portfolio Holder (Executive Business Manager, Performance Transformation, Corporate Plan and Human Resources) said that the report sets out the importance of working in partnership as it is an integral part of Local Authorities’ working practices; it further affords better services for local communities.  He noted that the Executive at its meeting held on 14 March, 2016 approved the Policy Document as a robust foundation for partnership working.

The Assistant Chief Executive said that work has been undertaken recently to identify a list of partnerships between the Council and other organisations in the private, public or voluntary sector.  To date over 200 possible partnerships have been identified.  Work will now be undertaken to clarify the role and added value of possible partnerships identified.

The Health and Social Care Impact Officer and the Scrutiny Officer gave a brief presentation to the Committee on the Partnership Policy Document and the Role of the Scrutiny Committee in Monitoring the Partnerships.  The Health and Social Care Impact Officer reported that the Partnership Policy Document summaries the Council’s vision for partnership working and supplements the individual partnership statements that already exist, for example  Isle of Anglesey Compact (partnership agreement with the Voluntary Sector), the Shared Community Charter with the Town and Community Councils on the Island.   The Policy Document (which was appended as Appendix 1 to the report) focuses on partnerships where the Council choose to work with other organisations in the private, public or voluntary sector. She reported that the Audit and Governance Committee also has a role reviewing the Authority’s risk management arrangements. They will focus on seeking assurance that key partnerships adequately manage risk but does not include reviewing the contribution and outcomes of partnerships, which is the remit of Scrutiny Members.   

The Officer further referred to the reasons why working in partnership benefits the Council and communities of Anglesey and also the criteria the Council uses for selecting partnerships, which were highlighted within the report.

The Scrutiny Officer reported that the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee has an important role to ensure that there is an appropriate level of democratic engagement with partnerships and to ensure that the work and performance is responsive to and consistent with the Council’s key priorities and the needs of the local communities.    In performing its role the Scrutiny Committee has a number of possible areas it could consider to include :-

·        Scrutinising governance arrangements;

·        Scrutinising the Council’s contribution;

·        Evaluating the overall effectiveness of the partnership;

·        Ensuring public engagement and citizen focused partnerships and strategies.

The Committee considered the report and raised the following main issues :-

·           Questions raised regarding possible duplication of services offered by the partner organisations identified.  The Officers responded that each partner organisation will be reviewed and evaluated for value for money, added value and any possible duplication of provision. This exercise will enable Officers to have a complete and full list of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

The Chair welcomed representatives from the Môn Communities First Ltd., to the meeting.

Submitted - the report of the Head of Housing Services on the Communities First Progress Report 2016/16.

The Head of Housing Services reported that the Communities First Programme is a key work stream delivering the Council’s strategic priorities within the Corporate Plan 2014/17 which focuses on regenerating communities and developing the economy together with increasing the housing options and reducing poverty.  She noted that the Authority is the Lead Delivery Body which consists the Core, LIFT and Communities for Work funding.  Môn Communities First Ltd., is a Delivery Organisation. 

Môn Communities First Ltd., as a company limited by guarantee and a charity, has the ability to secure additional external funding to support the delivery of Communities First services in the area which the Authority as a public body may not be eligible to apply.    The Community Vocational Academy, which provides accredited training to people aged 14-62, targeting those who are least likely to attend mainstream college provision has recently won the Chartered Institute of Housing Awards for Best Social Enterprise. 

The Môn Communities First Cluster Manager gave an in-depth report on the activities undertaken by organisation.  There have an increase in both the number of staff that the organisation currently employs and the amount of funding that has been secured for the programme.  She referred to the Community Vocational Academy which has recently been strengthened through the award of Viable and Vibrant Places (VVP) funding.  £90,000 has been awarded over 2 years to purchase a large commercial ride on mower which will enable Môn CF to tender for larger contracts and generate a sustainable income stream.  2 vans were also purchased which updates the fleet of vehicles.  A mini digger has also been purchased which will be used by trainees and will assist with the lead on training to Coleg Menai Large Digger Training which was funded through Horizon.    Môn Communities First is working closely with employers to ensure that the vacancies they have can be matched to the participants at the Academy.  She noted that 102 people have attained employment through the Academy to date.

The Grant Manager outlined the level of funding secured by Môn Communities First and referred to Appendix 1 and 5 attached to the report which highlighted external funding secured.

The Chair of the Môn Communities First, Mr. J. Lee MBE wished to expressed his appreciation for the work undertaken by the staff of Môn CF and noted how proud he was of the success of the organisation.

The Committee considered the report and raised the following main issues :-

·           Members of the Committee congratulated the work of the Môn Communities First Ltd., and commended that facilities offered to help the people within the Communities First areas.  Questions were raised whether other areas not in the Communities area can be supported by facilities offered by Môn Communities First.  The Môn Communities First Cluster Manager responded that European Funding has been secured to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive a verbal update by the Chair/Vice-Chair.

No update received by the Chair/Vice-Chair.

To submit the Work Programme by the Scrutiny Officer.

Submitted - the report of the Scrutiny Officer on the Committee’s Work Programme to May, 2016.

Some Members of the Committee were dissatisfied that arrangements had been made to convene a meeting on Friday, 13^th May, 2016 to discuss the Gypsy and Travellers Site Consultation.  It was stated that the Democratic Services Committee had agreed that meetings should not be convened at the end of the week. 

Following discussions it was AGREED that every effort will be made to reconvene the meeting at the beginning of the following week or if this fails, due to availability of relevant Officers, the meeting to start at 3.30 p.m., on 13^th May, 2016.

RESOLVED to note the Work Programme to May, 2016.

ACTION : The Scrutiny Officer to liaise with relevant Officers with regard to the above.