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Salford Strategic Partnership Executive
Minutes of 15th February 2007
Present:
Partners
Jane Bracewell
Dr Mike Burrows
Professor Eileen Fairhurst
Mike Keegan
Jon Matthews
Councillor John Merry (Chair)
Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan
Jacquie O’Neill
Learning and Skills Council
Salford PCT
Salford PCT
Jobcentre Plus
Eccles Community Committee Chair
Salford City Council
Greater Manchester Police
GONW
Officers
Gail Aspinall (minutes)
Kevin Brady
Stuart Kitchen
Sheila Murtagh
Jon Stephenson
Partners IN Salford
Salford City Council
Salford City Council
Partners IN Salford
Partners IN Salford
Visitors
Nicola Sugden
Neighbourhood Renewal Advisor
Apologies
Cath Connor
Mike Keegan
Gail Porter
Angie Robinson
Barbara Spicer
Salford City Council
Jobcentre Plus
GONW
Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Salford City Council
(actions shown in bold)
1. Welcome and Introductions
1.1 Chair welcomed partners and introductions were made.
2. Minutes from 7th December 2006 meeting
2.1 Previous minutes agreed as an accurate record.
3. Fitness for Purpose Review of Community Network
3.1 The chair welcomed Nicola Sugden (NS), NRA, to the meeting and thanked her for completing the
fitness for purpose review of the CEN (Salford Community Network). NS had held a meeting with the CEN
and CVS (Salford Council for Voluntary Services) immediately prior to the Executive to inform them of the
contents of the report.
3.2 NS went through the report in detail. Cllr Merry commented that it was a good report. Jon Matthews (JM)
agreed that it was an accurate report even though there is a sad outcome; he noted the need to ensure the
good work done is not lost. There was discussion over the content of the report and NS gave clarification as
appropriate.
3.3 The Chair reminded the Executive that the LSP has consistently identified two key areas of work for the
CEN to improve empowerment in the city:
o To animate people to become more involved in community committees (and thereby improve
these established structures rather than set up alternative structures)
o Facilitate involvement of those communities of interest which have a city-wide perspective
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3.4 Jacquie O’Neil (JO) advised that GONW have spoken with the Department for Communities and Local
Government who have confirmed that the SSP Executive has the authority to confirm whether or not the
CEN are fit for purpose. There was consensus that the NRA’s findings reflected the situation appropriately.
A formal decision was made, unanimously agreed by SSP Executive members, to confirm the view that the
CEN are not fit for purpose.
3.5 There was considerable discussion about the next steps. The Deputy-Chair stated that the CVS have a
crucial role to play. The following actions were agreed:
Actions
i.
Executive authorised Chair to write to CVS and CEN stating the decision made and request any
response be put in writing. Action Cllr Merry, with support from Sheila Murtagh (SM)
ii.
Executive confirmed that CEN would need to resign from any LSP structures it is currently
involved with including the Strategic Partnership and the SSCF Board (to be advised in letter from
Chair).
iii.
Executive confirmed that they would seek to work constructively to support those elements
identified by NS of good work undertaken by the Network to date, particularly with respect to the
effective engagement of particular communities of interest and specific methodologies to engage
grass roots communities (Disability Forum specifically identified). Requested Martin Vickers (MV)
to meet the representatives of the Communities of Interest groups that have had a direct
relationship with the Network to date, to identify how they can achieve LSP objectives and clarify
any outstanding funding issues. MV to recommend whether any further funding should be
committed for decision by LSP Chair and Vice Chair. Action MV
iv.
Executive confirmed that they want the future approach to community empowerment to be
considered by a range of officers from partner organisations involved in community engagement.
KB to convene. This group to take account of:
o the Future Possibilities identified by NS in section 5 of her report
o the context of the LAA with the Strategic Objective of Improved Community Engagement
Action: KB to convene group (NB: GMP specifically requested invite to this group).
Action: Group to make interim report to 24 April Executive meeting KB.
v.
Executive confirmed that their previous written assurance that the post created for the
Community Network Manager (held by Paul Brighouse, job title now re-named) would continue to
be funded until March 2008. CVS had acted as employing body for CEN staff. Given that the
CEN will now be dissolved, the Executive requested that the post-holder be transferred to the
LSP Management & Administration Team to provide a strategic community empowerment
resource. Action: SM + support from SCC Personnel in consultation with Partnership Chair
and Deputy Chair.
vi.
Executive confirmed that CVS would be advised that since there would be no further funding to
CEN any other posts currently supported by Community Network funding would need to be
terminated by end March 2007. Action SM
vii.
Agreed all Partners need to be advised of the Executive's decision. Action: SM to advise
Salford Strategic Partnership members
viii.
Noted that GONW supports action taken and will update DCLG accordingly.
4.
Thematic Partnership Review
 Economic Development, Learning and Skills Partnership
4.1 Jane Bracewell (JB) and Stuart Kitchen (SK) went through the presentation from the Economic
Development, Learning and Skills Partnership (EDLSP). They confirmed that their partnership are working
on all the targets in the ‘Economically Prosperous’ chapter of the Community Plan and some of the targets
within ‘A learning and creative city’ chapter. The presentation included performance analysis as well as
update on partnership working such as the new sub partnerships created.
4.2 During the discussion which followed comments included:
i.
It was noted that there is currently a blockage with obtaining Jobcentre Plus data disaggregated
at local level. This is needed to set clear baselines and targets and understand additionality.
Action: Jobcentre Plus
ii.
If Incapacity Benefit has been claimed for longer than 6-months then health issues may become a
barrier to moving back to work (particularly mental health problems) Action: Jobcentre Plus to
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iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
provide quarterly analysis on Incapacity Benefit for PCT to utilise for GP Practice Based
Commissioning
Cllr Merry referred to the skills deficit in Salford to respond to the employment needs of the BBC.
He advised that LSC liaise further with John Culterletsky from the National LSC Council about
commissioning appropriate work with respect to LSC’s contribution. Action: JB to progress
The business start-up statistics were queried. Figures given are based on companies registered
for VAT and businesses that have contact with Business Link. It was noted that some small
businesses e.g in Broughton are run from homes instead of business premises and this should be
recognised. Action: SK
The question of how to encourage businesses to take on local labour was raised. Agreed that
more work is needed to talk directly with employers to ascertain their needs, provide training etc.
Specific work will be done with relation to the BBC Action: SK
Chief Supt Mulligan highlighted that business crime is becoming an issue in Ordsall and Irwell
Riverside with commercial robbery making a high proportion of all robberies. Vehicle crime is
also a major issue for employers/employees in the area. He requested that Secure by Design
guidance be given higher profile with potential developers during the planning process. Action:
SK to alert Architectural Liaison Unit and Planning department.
Professor Fairhurst advised that Manchester Metropolitan University has extensive experience of
working with business start ups and should be approached in relation to addressing the failure
rate for new businesses. Action: SK
It was agreed that future performance monitoring needs improved analysis at small area level to
demonstrate that the gap is being narrowed around economic inequalities and to enable
assumptions to be challenged. Action: SK/JB
5.
The Salford Agreement 2007-10
 GONW Feedback from the Delivery Planning
5.1 A report updating on progress relating to the Salford Agreement was presented and the continued good
progress was noted. GONW confirmed they are not expecting any substantial changes from central
government departments.
5.2 The delivery planning phase of the Agreement has commenced and the first delivery planning session
was held on the 7th February 2007 which was well attended from across the wider partnership.
6. Neighbourhood Renewal Fund - Monitoring Report
6.1 A report was presented which updated the Executive on the financial position of the NRF programme
2006-07 (potential overspend), and alert it to the implications for the programme of the Government’s
intention to change the neighbourhood renewal fund from 2008-09.
6.2 The recommendations were agreed as follows:
The Executive:
a) instructs thematic partnerships to spend as little neighbourhood renewal funding as possible until
31 March to cut the current forecast overspend of £320,000 in 2006-07
b) informs thematic partnerships that it will only consider carrying forward individual projects’
underspend into 2007-08 if it is essential to enable other spending in 2006-07
c) notes the implications of the forecast overspend for the 2007-08 programme
d) notes that the Government is likely to change neighbourhood renewal funding from 2008-09
e) notes that it will receive a report in June 2007 on the impact of the 2006-07 programme on
outcomes for local people.
Recommendations to be actioned by KB and his staff
7. Community Engagement Strategy
7.1 A report was presented which introduced the Community Engagement Strategy, following previous LSP
decisions to commission this work.
7.2 The recommendations were agreed as follows:
The Executive:
1.1
Adopt and endorse the draft Community Engagement Strategy for Salford
1.2
Agree the development of the implementation plan
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7.3. Additional actions were identified:
i.
This strategy needs to link into the work Kevin Brady is leading on the future approach to
community empowerment in the city Action: JS
ii.
The reference to ‘the Primary Care Trust (who provide health services)’ to be rectified in
paragraph 3 on appendix C Action: JS
iii.
All partners logos to be shown on the Strategy Action: JS
8. Children and Young People’s Participation Strategy
8.1 The recommendations in the Children and Young People’s Participation Strategy report were agreed as
follows:
1. Salford Strategic Partnership Executive positively endorses the children and young people’s
participation strategy.
2. Salford Strategic Partnership Executive commends this strategy to agencies and organisations
comprising the wider Salford Strategic Partnership and recommends that they support the
implementation of the participation strategy.
3. Salford Strategic Partnership Executive recommends that agencies and organisations comprising
the wider Salford Strategic Partnership identify key personnel with responsibility for
implementation of the participation strategy.
4. Salford Strategic Partnership Executive agrees to accept a progress report every six months to
monitor the implementation of the children and young people’s participation strategy.
Actions
 The reports relating to this strategy should be linked into the progress reports from the Children
and Young People’s Partnership to the SSP Executive. Action Cath Connor.
9.
Selection of Voluntary Sector Partners on the Salford Strategic Partnership
9.1 A report for information setting out the process for selection of two voluntary sector partners to sit on the
Salford Strategic Partnership had been circulated previously for partners to note.
10.
Date of Next Meeting :
 24th April 2007, 2.00pm-4.00pm, Worsley Suite, St James’s House
 Proposed thematic review – Housing
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