Positive Contribution Theme Group

Time: 9.30-11.00a.m.
Date: 20th November 2008
Venue: Ridgehill Children & Family Centre, Stalybridge

Present:

Claire Bibby - Chair
Julie Lord (Theme Coordinator)- Area Coordinator Dukinfield, Stalybridge, Mossley
Tina Lavender– Action for Children ( NCH ) Participation Project
Catherine Mee- PCT
Chris Thean – Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership
Pauline Daniels – Children’s Centres/Extended Schools
Alan Kirk- (GMC Fire & Rescue Service)
Maurice Smith- School Improvement Service
Emma Varnam- Museums Service
Barry O’Hagan- YOT

Note taker: Julie Lord

Item 1: Welcome

Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

Item 2: Apologies

Janet Blakeley – PCT Lisa Hoyland
Sue Nathan Tracy Turley

Item 3: Minutes from the last meeting and matters arising

Item 6. The schedule for report cards is to be arranged by Claire and Julie.
Minutes accepted as a true record.

Item 4: Presentation from the Participation Project

Tina Lavender gave a presentation on the work of the Action for Children Participation Project.

There were questions about the consultation that has been carried out for Building Schools for the future and how much C&YP have been involved in the developments. There was also a discussion about how we engage with C&YP who are causing problems and about how schools evaluate their school councils.
Tina said that the project is undergoing a mapping exercise of school councils and that they had extended the support into secondary schools. Maurice informed the group of a pilot project in Ashton involving a school council in the local democracy process. The school had been visited by a local M.P. and ward Councillor.

Item 5: Review of the Tameside Version of Every Child Matters

The group looked at the national indicators under the positive contributions theme. Members of the group commented that they were not “ positive “ indicators and some of them were around perceptions. The group noted that there are surveys in the borough being undertaken that would provide some of that information. It was also suggested that the national indicators for adult mental health should have a focus on the transition of services from children’s to adult’s.
The group should also be a forum to share good practice and make recommendations.

Item 6: Review of the membership of the group

Claire had written a brief paper on the roles of the Positive Contribution Theme group, the Participation Network and the Participation Project.

It was noted that the Participation Manager post will be recruited to soon and he/she will chair the Participation Network in the future. The membership of both groups will be looked at to ensure there is no duplication and members are attending the group that is most appropriate.
The Governance arrangements for the theme groups and strategic groups are also being reviewed by area coordinators and will be reported back in the future.

Item 7: Focus for future meetings

The focus for the January meeting will be offending, for the March meeting it will be democracy and suggestions to Julie for the May meeting.

Item 8: AOB

None

Item 9: Date of the next meeting

Thursday 15th January 2008 9.30-11.00a.m. Dukinfield Children’s Centre, Yew Tree Lane, Dukinfield