Devon Strategic Partnership Board

2.00p.m Thursday 13th February 2014

Fortescue Room, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QD

Minutes of meeting

Attendees:

Cllr John Hart, DCC (Chair)

Richard Sheard, South Hams and West Devon Councils (representing District Councils)

Diana Crump, representing the Voluntary and Community Sector

Karen Hooper, Dept. of Work and Pensions

Carol Thresher, Devon JobCentre Plus (DWP)

Paul O’Sullivan, NEW (north east west) Clinical Commissioning Group

Phil Norrey, DCC

Ryan Doyle, Devon and Cornwall Police

(Cllr Barry Parsons, Devon County Council cabinet member, attending in support of item 3)

(Caroline Rae, DCC)

(Holly Whitbread, Exeter University student, shadowing John Hart, observer)

Apologies:Alan Burrows, Environment Agency

Paul Davies, Devon and Cornwall Police

Cllr Jeremy Christophers, representing District Leaders.

  1. Welcome.John Hart led introductions. This was the last meeting for both Karen Hooper and Richard Sheard; they were both thanked for their work for and personal commitment to the Devon Strategic Partnership over many years.Carol Thresher, Integrated District Operations Manager for Devon Jobcentre Plus (DWP) was welcomed as Karen’s replacement on the Board.
  2. Minutes of last meeting. The minutes were accepted. There were no matters arising not on the agenda.
  3. Devon Local
  4. Richard Sheard presented his paper, which was tabled at the meeting. This agenda item was supported by Cllr Barry Parsons.
  1. Since the last meeting, Richard had held meetings with Devon County Council officers, with Devon District Forum (District Councils CExs and Leaders), and with the DSP Task and Finish Group. There was positive feedback from each meeting, as well as a recognition of barriers to be overcome:
  2. That cultural change was more important than structures
  3. Uncertainty as to whether fundamental change would happen
  4. Capacity issues – were there enough people championing the cause?
  5. Short term funding issues causing tension with the long term aim for change.
  6. It was proposed that alongside the actions in the proposal,
  7. that Richard Sheard and Cllr Barry Parsons write to statutory partners with an offer to meet to talk through proposals and invite them to help shape proposals. This includes seeking ‘buy in’ from District Council CExs to the proposals
  8. that the principle of working at the lowest appropriate level of decision making is adopted
  9. that consideration is given to a bid to DCLG’s forthcoming Transformation Grant, details of which are expected to be released at the end of March.
  10. It was agreed that maintaining momentum was important,
  11. that Richard Sheard and Barry Parsons should talk to partners on behalf of the Board;
  12. that they should liaise with Paul O’Sullivan about linking with GP membership fora in the 3 CCG localities;
  13. that talking to super-clusters of parishes when they meet may be helpful;and
  14. that DWP should be invited to sit on the Task and Finish Group.
  1. Outcomes. Following the paper presented at the last meeting, and the limited response to the approach to partners that followed it, the board discussed the next steps. It was agreed that there would be benefit in seeing if there could be alignment between partners. Diana Crump stated there was a real enthusiasm amongst Voluntary and Community Sector colleagues for a clear strategic direction. Phil Norrey shared verbally the latest version of high level priorities Devon County Council were considering; it was agreed to share these, even though they were draft, andsee how partners were thinking, and whether partners could dovetail priorities. It was agreed that Richard Sheard and Barry Parsons would approach this topic in their conversations as part of Devon Local.
  2. Terms of Reference The proposed changes to the Terms of Reference were agreed; in addition it was agreed to invite representation from Devon Association of Local Councils to join the Board; to change ‘senior Health rep’ to ‘senior CCG rep’; and to add an additional clause to the role of the Board as follows: ‘Help to shape how strategic partners work together at local level’.
  3. Community Impact Fund.A verbal update was provided to the Board; it is still hoped to develop a Community Impact Fund, and it has been agreed in principle by District Councils, and will go to Devon County Council Cabinet in March. However, it is not yet finalised or assured.
  4. AOB
  5. The Board considered whether there was anything to be considered at this Board regarding recent floods and storm damage; it was felt that agencies had generally worked very well together during the crisis, but that the recovery phase would be key, and this would largely happen at community level. Phil Norrey was to chair an overarching strategic peninsula recovery group. Diana Crump stated that a BSL video about what to do in emergencies, commissioned by Devon, had gone viral as it was probably unique in Britain.
  6. The Devon Digital Strategy was discussed and endorsed
  7. DONM
  8. DSP workshop Friday 9th June 2014 9.30 a.m. -1.00p.m
  9. DSP Board Meeting Friday 18th July 2014 2.00p.m.

(all meetings at County Hall Exeter, exact room to be advised)

ITEM / ACTIONS / WHO
3 d /
  1. that Richard Sheard and Barry Parsons should talk to partners on behalf of the Board;
  2. that they should liaise with Paul O’Sullivan about linking with GP membership fora in the 3 CCG localities;
  3. that talking to super-clusters of parishes when they meet may be helpful;and
  4. that DWP should be invited to sit on the Task and Finish Group.
/ Richard Sheard ; Cllr Barry Parsons
Caroline
4 / Richard Sheard and Barry Parsons would approach the topic of outcomes in their conversations as part of Devon Local. / Richard Sheard ; Cllr Barry Parsons
5 / Additional members to be invited to join the Board; changes as agreed to be made and final Terms of Reference to be circulated / Caroline