Positive Contribution Theme Group

Minutes

Time:   9.30-11.15 am
Date:  20th March 2008
Venue: Duke St Young Peoples Centre, Duke St, Denton

Present:

Claire Bibby (Chair) - Inclusive Services
Julie Lord (Theme Coordinator) - Area Coordinator Dukinfield, Stalybridge, Mossley
Maurice Smith - School Improvement Service
Chris Thean - Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership
Tina Lavender - NCH Participation Project
Lisa Hoyland - Economic Development
Sue Nathan - Youth Service
Nick Ellwood - Children’s Social Care Commissioning
Karen Renshaw - Adult Learning
Liz Hughes - Play Strategy Manager
Paula Field - Community Safety

Note taker: Julie Lord 

Item 1: Welcome

Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked members for attending this extended meeting.

Item 2: Apologies

Shaun Walton - GMC Fire & Rescue Service
John Whittle - YOT Manager
Caroline Gregory - Regeneration
Emma Varnham - Art Galleries/Museum service
Janet Blakeley - PCT
Catherine Mee - PCT
Gideon Smith - Public Health
Tracey Turley - PCT

Item 3: Minutes from the last meeting

• Tina and Maurice have met regarding the school councils.
• Sue Nathan reported that there will be changes to how young people are involved in District Assembly meetings; it is perceived that the current arrangements are not working.
• Job description for the Participation Manager has been drafted- needs to include the link with district assemblies.
• PACT meetings for young people are being developed.
• Alison Gwynne is keen to develop a LAC council.
• Tameside have been invited to bid for £2.5 million to develop adventure play areas, this will involve C&YP throughout the planning stages.
  
  

Item 4: Report Cards

The group was split into 3 smaller groups and each group looked at two sections of report cards.
Each group had 3 tasks.

1. to look at the information presented on the report cards, could it be smarter?
2. make a judgement, with some qualitative comments
3. provide some action points.

Item 5: JAR Self Assessment

Phil Tomlinson introduced himself to the group as the consultant working for the authority to prepare for the JAR with a specific remit to look at the outcome themes.

Phil said that the draft self assessment for positive contributions was a good report which contained relevant data and evidence of impact

There are some areas that need to be looked at in more detail which Phil has picked up from the APA dataset:

• YOT , rates of reoffending have risen since 2002. What is being done to address this? 
• Youth Service, massive increase in the number of C&YP reached in 2005/6, how? Numbers of f/t equivalent workers have decreased.
• % of C&YP from special schools excluded.
• LAC data re education moves
• LAC data for regular contact with families
• LAC placements that meet cultural, religious and linguistic needs
• There are also some other areas which need including, these are:
• More data and evidence of impact relating to BME C&YP
• References to the Tell Us Survey
• Data from schools on anti-bullying work, details of anti-bullying web-sites.

Phil also said that it was important to have evidence of consultation and what the impact of the consultation has been. Julie is preparing a file and a spreadsheet to collate all consultations to identify need and the impact. This information will also be used to inform the commissioning for preventative funding.

Item 6: AOB

Sue Nathan handed out publicity for a display of youth arts on the 28th March at Tameside Hippodrome theatre.

Item 7: Date/Time/Venue of next meeting

1st May 2008 9.30-11.00 (venue to be rearranged as Duke St is being used as a polling station)