Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Councillor Bliss, Steve Dickson (Sefton Chamber of Commerce), Simon Grilli (Forthright), Caroline McGee (Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service), Moira McGuinness (CCG, NHS Sefton), Steph Prewett,(Head of Corporate Commissioning and Neighbourhood Co-ordination).

Agreed:

That Councillor Cuthbertson be appointed Chair of the Area Partnership for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

Agreed:

That Parish Councillor Ibbs be appointed Vice Chair of the Area Partnership for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

Councillor Gillian Cuthbertson welcomed everyone to the meeting and members introduced themselves.

Christina Jones, Neighbourhood Co-ordinator indicated that the aim of the Area Partnership was to promote the wellbeing of the community area with regards to its economic, social, environmental and cultural development.

Members are requested to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct, before leaving the meeting room during the discussion on that particular item.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interest were received.

Copy attached

The Chair drew everyone’s attention to the Draft Terms of Reference which set out the purpose, responsibilities, membership, meeting arrangements and process for review of the new Area Partnerships.

Christina Jones explained that the meetings of the group would be held on a quarterly basis; she went on to add that the Partnership could form specific sub-groups drawn from its wider membership, for consideration of priorities for the area, whose membership could be based on the needs and aims of the sub-group.

Membership - It was indicated that Councillor Hardy had now been nominated as the Cabinet Member representative for Formby Area Partnership but that a representative from the VCF (Voluntary Community and Faith) Sector was still being sought.

Agreed:

That the Terms of Reference for the Area Partnership be noted and approved.

Ward Profiles attached

Members referred to the Ward profiles for the Harington and Ravenmeols Wards and discussed possible areas for the Area Partnership to select as priority areas and sub-groups to progress particular issues.

The following areas were suggested as priorities for the Formby Area:

1.    Community Safety and Security

With reference being  made to:

·         anti-social behaviour,

·         youth diversionary tactics/facilities,

·         perceived rather than actual threat/anti-social behaviour being a huge factor; and

·         the work undertaken by Operation Beachsafe which could contribute invaluable expertise and experience.

2.    Health and Wellbeing

With reference being made to:

·         the ageing population in Formby;

·         the social isolation of older people, particularly with the potential loss of funding for community activities such as the Luncheon Club;

·         consultation with Sefton CVS on the availability of community groups and organisations;

·         binge drinking statistics;

·         drug use

Arising from discussion it was pointed out that there was a great deal of overlap between the two priority areas

Reference was made to the availability of funding and Christina Jones indicated that the Area Partnerships had no funding attached to them; and as such she emphasised the importance of Partnership members working prudently together in the determination of deliverable outcomes.

Agreed: 

That the following areas be approved as priorities for the Formby Area Partnership

·         Community Safety and Security; and

·         Health and Wellbeing

Agreed: That 

(1)  the Neighbourhood Co-ordinators to identify, establish and convene two Sub-Groups to focus planning and delivery of service in respect of the two proposed priority areas of

·         Community Safety and Security and

·         Health and Wellbeing

(2)  the Sub-Groups to report their findings and recommendations to the next meeting of the Formby Area Partnership.

Agreed:

That the next meeting be held at 2.00 pm on Thursday 14 March 2012, at the Formby Professional Development Centre, Park Road, Formby.