Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mick Cooper.

None

Declarations of interest were received from Councillors Jane Cox by virtue of being a Director of ICE Theatre (a social enterprise - not for profit organisation) and Councillor Kevin Rodgers by virtue of being a Director of Permafuture Agroecology Limited.

[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up to 5 members of the public on matters within the Panel’s remit, proposing action (s) which may be considered or contribute towards the future development of the Committee’s work programme]

There were no public statements made.

The purpose of the report was to provide an update on the Third Sector Social Isolation and Loneliness Partnership Alliance and to ask Members to note the progress to date.  A presentation was made to Members that provided a more detailed overview and the actions for the proceeding twelve months.

Members of the Panel expressed their disappointment that there was no representation from the Doncaster Culture Leisure Trust to provide responses to questions posed.  It was requested by the Chair that a letter be sent to the Trust and to invite them to attend a future meeting of the Panel when a further update was provided.

The presentation outlined the following areas;

·         Terms of Reference

·         Where are we at in terms of developing the Alliance?

·         Responsibilities of Lead Organisation

·         Governance

·         Key actions for the next 12 months 

·         Performance and Outcomes Framework

·         Research links

It was acknowledged that social inclusion presented significant challenges on a national and local level, spanned all ages and was influenced by a number of issues.  Members were informed that research had shown the impact that social isolation had on health, particularly elderly residents

A discussion took place, which addressed the following areas;

Model - It was reported that consideration was being given to using a similar model to that in place with Expect Youth.  Concern was raised that using such a model would mean that services were commissioned out and therefore it would be difficult to measure the delivery of those services.  Assurances were provided that the legal agreement would not allow that to take place within the 3 years although it was acknowledged that there was a need to agree how people would enter into the alliance.

It was recognised that this concept was about investing at the front end, establishing systems and undertaking funding and discovery work to support long-term sustainability.  It was viewed that there were a number of opportunities available although further work still needed to be undertaken with the alliance. It was explained that in addition to the core membership, there were a number of new players presenting themselves.  It was commented that it was about linking in and utilising what was currently available.

Comments were made about assets available within communities that could be utilised by groups. Given that local authority assets were being sold, there was a reliance on existing community provisions to be utilised   A Member commented that the vision was good and questioned whether there was a high profile project in place that had the potential to be expanded. 

An area that was being looked at more closely was how resources were being targeted.  It was queried whether there was any correlation between the Indices of Multiple Deprivation and levels of social isolation.    In terms of the £200,000 funding amount, clarification was sought around what was the expectation about the recipient of the grant.   It was suggested that further clarity could be made within the Terms of Reference about how work could be targeted at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Panel received a report updating Members on the Panels work plan for 2019/20.

A copy of the work plan was attached at Appendix A of the report taking account of issues agreed by OSMC at its meeting on the 27^th June 2019.

The Chair informed the Panel that he had met with the Assistant Director on Environment in relation to work taking place around the Environmental Strategy and the involvement of the Communities and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel.  Members of the Panel were informed that the work was in its early stages and there were a number of areas that would sit beneath the umbrella of the Environmental Strategy that they would be update on in the near future.  It was acknowledged that there was a great deal of work being undertaken in this area as it was currently very topical, there had been interest from community members and it was part of a wider national and international debate.

There was also a brief discussion around the Forward Plan.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the Regeneration and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Workplan 19/20 - July 2019 update.