To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2007.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29^th November 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.

The Board was informed that Sian Harland, Senior Committee Clerk, was leaving and would like to recognise and thank her for her contribution to the Board.

Rob Walker introduced Stephanie Butcher who has been seconded to the LSP Officers post for a period of 3 months.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Shirley Matthews, Val Jenkins and Brian Horner.

To note the change in the LSP Board Membership.

The LSP officer had received correspondence from Keith Milburn to say that the Attleborough Area Partnership had resigned from the LSP Board with immediate effect due to the collapse of the Partnership. This would have no impact on the governance or constitution of the LSP Board however this would mean that Attleborough would currently not be represented on the LSP Board.

The LSP Officer recommended that rather than replace Attleborough’s representation with immediate effect, that the composition of the LSP Board be reviewed in full alongside the launch of the Sustainable Community Strategy.

RESOLVED that the LSP Officer review LSP Board structure and composition.

Geoffrey Leigh said that he would be unable to attend any future meetings as he was retiring from the NRCC.  It was unclear at this stage who would be taking on his role.

Thanks were extended to Geoffrey for all his hard work and contributions. It was agreed that NRCC representation was still needed on the LSP Board.

RESOLVED that the LSP Officer would contact NRCC for the name of the representative who would be replacing Geoffrey on the Board.

To receive an update on Local Government Reorganisation in Norfolk.

Trevor Holden said that terms of reference for LGR were still awaited and hopefully would be issued tomorrow. The LSP Board would be updated once further information was forthcoming.

To distribute the printed Social Inclusion Strategy document and agree an action planning schedule.

Printed copies of the Social Inclusion Strategy were distributed to the LSP Board.

The SIS compliments the other LSP strategies already in place.  Its purpose was to help those who are least able to enjoy the quality of life that others living and working in the Breckland area could expect. The strategy sought to build on the work that was already being taken across the public, voluntary and private sectors.

A date had been booked for a SIS action planning workshop on the 25^th February at Poultec. An invitation would be distributed to Board Members shortly.

To receive a presentation from David Farmer, Norfolk Arts Partnership.

David Farmer from the Norfolk Arts partnership gave a 10 minute DVD presentation on ongoing work and the difference it had made regarding engaging men with mental health issues.

It was agreed that a copy of the DVD would be issued to all Board members.<1>

The take up of the project in Breckland had not been that high but the commitment towards the project at the end had been very impressive. The group established in Dereham were looking to continue and were seeking funding.

The project was a very good alternative to the provision of anti depressants but only 5% of GP’s had ever taken it up. David said that he had positive discussions with local GP’s but none of them had referred anyone to the project.

David was asked if he could provide post project evaluation to the Board to establish whether there was a longer term usage from the trial.

David said he had an evaluation and would provide the Board with a copy.

To receive the attached report by Kevin Ambrose, Ambrose Consulting Ltd.

Kevin Ambrose of Ambrose Consultants Ltd informed the Board that consultations had taken place regarding the Strategy. Over 100 organisations had been contacted, 3 workshops were held in Watton, Swaffham and Thetford. Thetford Youth Council had also been consulted to test out the vision and priority areas.

The LSP Officer said that the SCS would be brought to the Board on 13^th March for sign off and on 10^th April to Full Council.

Recommendations made by the LSP Officer:

1. Approve the vision
2. Agree priority areas
3. Undertake a review of LSP governance and partnership arrangements
4. Organise a stakeholder conference to launch the new strategy

RESOLVED that

1. It was felt that the vision was too long and Members were asked to email suggestions for a vision to the LSP Officer by the end of next week.
2. Agreed
3. Agreed
4. Agreed

To receive the attached report by Rob Walker, LSP Development Officer.

This was currently under negotiation and due for launch in June 2008. Representatives from across the County were discussing the 35 national indicators to be included in the Norfolk Agreement. The LSP Board were asked for their recommendations on these indicators.

The LSP Officer had highlighted the indicators that were priorities for the LSP, LDF, SCS and other strategies in Breckland.

Board members were asked to comment on these and feedback to the LSP Officer by 7^th March 2008.

To receive an update on Thematic Partnerships:-

·              Health and Wellbeing

·              Community Safety

·              Play Forum

·              Economic

·              Learning Communities

Health and Wellbeing – update provided by Martin Seymour.

Joy of Food Programme - Funded by the LSP and had been run in conjunction with Surestart to target parents and children. Good outcomes. The full report was not yet available. There would be an evaluation in approximately 6 months time.

Health and Wellbeing Partnership - There had been two meetings so far and the group was now developing a draft delivery plan which would be a single health action plan for Breckland based on a collaborative approach.

Community Safety – update provided by Kris Barnard

Canons Walk in Thetford had issues of anti social behaviour, graffiti and vandalism. Tactics used there were being held as good practice and were now being replicated in other parts of the country. Abandoned cars and litter had been removed under Operation Civic Pride. CCTV had also been upgraded.  Peddars Way architect had visited regarding improvements to the area. Breckland Council, Thetford Town Council, Norfolk Fire Service and Peddars Way were working in partnership very effectively.  

The success was measured by reported incidents reducing by 50% year on year. Canons Walk had moved from the top trouble spot down to third. There was a positive feel good factor on the ground resulting from the holistic approach of working together.

Play Forum – Rob Walker

A Big Lottery grant of £230k had been given for play areas in Breckland. Three of the projects would be up and running by the end of this calendar year.

Economic – Mark Stanton

The Economic Development Thematic Group was a very active group. The Board were asked whether they still felt that developing a Tourism Strategy was a priority for the LSP and if resources/funds were available to aid its development.

RESOLVED that the development of a Tourism Strategy be deferred for 6 months.

Learning Communities – Jan Godfrey

There was £5400 funding in total for the area partnerships.  Watton, in partnership with Swaffham and Dereham were about to deliver a series of workshops/training focusing on small businesses.

There was very little funding available for non accredited learning. Wayland had funding from the LSP for English lessons for the migrant communities but there had been problems with inconsistent attendance due to working patterns. The funding would enable these to continue until Easter.

In Thetford, funding for ESOL had finished and they desperately needed funding to continue. Andrew Heginbotham said that there was ESOL training going on from Thetford Fire Station so maybe a separate funding stream had been identified. This would be looked into by the relevant Board members.

To receive and note the attached financial report.

Budget Monitoring

Rob Walker outlined budget and funding. There had been a slight overspend of £300.

William Nunn informed Members that Breckland had £400,000 - £500,000 funding to put into the LSP for Community Cohesion projects but would only do so if other partner organisations matched it.

RESOLVED that a letter be sent from the Board to partner agencies asking for a commitment to the LSP budget.<1>

To agree items for inclusion on the next or future agenda.

Items to be included on the next Agenda were as follows:

·        Sustainable Community Strategy, and

·         a review of the structure of the Board to aid delivery of the Strategy.

To note that the next meeting of the LSP Board will be held on 13 March 2008 at 2.00 pm in the Anglia Room, Elizabeth House, Breckland Council.

To note that the next meeting of the LSP Board would be held on 13^th March 2008 at Breckland Council at 2.00 pm in the Anglia Room, Elizabeth House, Dereham.