NRN APB Minutes 12th July 2012 - West Cheshire Together

NORTHWICH & RURAL NORTH AREA PARTNERSHIP BOARD
MINUTES
Wednesday 12 July 2012, 1:30pm
Weaverham Community Centre
In Attendance
Chris Rowbottom (Chair) - Weaver Vale Housing Trust
Mark Simmons - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Fiona Dunning - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Barry Rose - Cheshire Fire & Rescue Services
Councillor Gaynor Sinar - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Insp. Paul Loughlin - Cheshire Police
John Heselwood - Cheshire Community Action
Steve Newson - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Debra Brown - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Derek Bowden - Northwich Town Council
Jackie Thornhill - WCPCT
Apologies
Mark Palethorpe - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Pat Johnson - WCPCT
Catherine Fox - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Councillor Julia Tickridge - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Councillor Helen Weltman - Cheshire West & Chester Council
Terry O’Neill (Vice-Chair) - Parish Council Representative
Helen Bailey - CWAC
Note:
It is advisable to read these minutes in conjunction with the appropriate report
circulated with the agenda (or on APB website) as info contained in the reports is
not duplicated in the minutes.
1. Introduction by the Chair
Chris said that he was please to see so many people / partners attending the APB
action plan workshop and that a summary will be produced in the next few days.
Chris has invited the Chair of the CWAC Scruitiny Committee to come to the next
APB to outline their findings and discuss the work of the N&RN APB.
The Annual Report is now completed and there is a good mix of achievements
highlighted. This will now be circulated and put on the Partnership website
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http://www.westcheshiretogether.org.uk/area_partnership_boards/northwich_and_r
ural_north_apb.aspx Chris thought that there is now a need to re-consider the
principles of funding and rationale for the future possible guidelines which may
come about from the Altogether Better initiative.
Steve Newson was congratulated on his award of Directorate ‘Unsung Hero’.
2. Fire and Police Updates
Fire: There are no major concerns in the area currently. The work around boarding
up premises, where required, is working well. Visits to households is continuing and
both fire alarms and slow cookers are being given out to over 65’s. The reading
scheme at Rudheath Primary School is also progressing well and will be rolled out to a
school in Winsford.
Police: Crime is decreasing and the police are exceeding their targets. ASB has
shown no critical pinch points. McDonalds continues to be a venue for young people
to hang around and some engagement work is being undertaken.
Drugs pose the biggest issue at specific locations and there will be a focus on this
area over the next 6 months.
Regular callers to the police are being addressed differently with the aim of directing
people to other services on the first point of contact. A contact booklet is being put
together which will be shared with partners.
3. Area Action Plan
Mark gave an update on the refreshed Area Action Plan this is now available to
partners.
AGREED:
APB agreed the refreshed action plan be adopted.
4. Ward Plans
Mark gave an update on the process of developing Ward Plans. Draft versions have
been discussed with Ward Councillors and further discussions will take place
regarding Councillors becoming the champions for the Ward Plans. Discussions with
Parish Councils have started and will continue so that where possible Parish Councils
can take the lead on local actions. Mark would like APB members to adopt the Ward
Plans and help support there delivery through the sub-group work.
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AGREED:
APB agreed the Ward Plans be adopted.
5. Voluntary, Community and Faith Action Plan
An update was given on the draft Voluntary, Community and Faith Action Plan for
Northwich and Rural North and an outline of the proposed way of working across our
Communities of Interest. The plan also incorporates the development and promotion
of Volunteering.
Agreed: The APB agreed the updated VCF Action Plan and for updates to be
presented at future meetings.
6. Community Engagement Plan
An update was given to the APB on key achievements in relation to Community Engagement
in Northwich and Rural North. Information on the use of the Tracker Survey was also
presented and an outline of the planning cycle was explained and discussed.
Agreed: APB partners agreed to use the Tracker Survey at their events / community
meetings. APB agreed to promote the calendar of events and to pass information on future
events to Fiona.
7. APB Funding
Mark outlined the funding allocation for 2012/13 for the APB. The APB has £30k as
per previous years plus an additional £40k Kick Start Funding which is for new
projects / initiatives.
New Initiative
Steve Newson presented a business case for funding for an initiative new to N&RN;
Achievement for All supported by the Economy and Education Sub Group to be
delivered by The University of Chester Academy Northwich.
Agreed: The APB agreed to fund this initiative from their Kick Start Funding.
It was agreed that Training the Trainers should be looked at to make the initiative
sustainable in the future.
It was also agreed that work with primary schools should be considered as a second
phase.
It was agreed that the initiative should look at links with the Fire Service reading
project.
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8. Regeneration
Mark gave an update on regeneration projects for the N&RN Area.
9. AOB
Paul Loughlin outlined a growing issue of Child Exploitation specifically through the
use of new technology, online and mobiles. Consideration should be given to safe
guarding training for a wide range of agencies.
Website link to be shared with partners.
10.Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of Northwich & Rural North Area Partnership Board will be October
2012.
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