Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2015.

The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 1st September 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

Councillor S Criswell declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 4 as a non-executive member of the Hunts Forum Board. 

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions is attached.  Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.

The Panel received and noted the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which has been prepared by the Executive Leader for the period 1st October 2015 to 31st January 2016.

Those organisations in receipt of three year funding will each make a short presentation to the Panel.

Six voluntary and community sector organisations in receipt of three year funding awards (Strategic Grants) from the Council each gave ten minute presentations to the Panel, with a further ten minutes allocated for questions from Members to each organisation’s representatives.

The Head of Community provided the Panel with a brief introduction to the process for awarding Strategic Grants, concentrating on the following key points:

·  The current Strategic Grants were allocated for a three year period from 1st April 2013 to 30th March 2016.

·  The Council’s budget for voluntary and community sector funding should be considered in line with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy to ensure the sector is not disproportionately affected.

·  The presentations would inform Members about what each of the organisations have delivered, how they consider they have assisted HDC in addressing its corporate objectives and what they consider their future challenges to be.

·  Further reports will be presented to the Panel in advance of the Council setting its budget for 2016/17 in February 2016.

·  An application process for future grant funding will be opened once the budget available for this has been confirmed for 2016/17.

Care Network

The Chief Officer and the Development Officer of Care Network presented to the Panel. Care Network received a Strategic Grant of £10,000 in 2015/16 and the presentation covered the following points:

What has been delivered:

·  Supporting 32 small volunteer led groups.

·  Set up 10 new groups for older and isolated residents.

·  Supporting additional projects bringing funding into the area.

·  Two part-time Community Development Officers were employed.

·  Organisation of three inter-generational events.

·  Developing work in eight additional areas.

How they support the Council’s corporate objectives:

·  Opportunities to volunteer increase residents’ skills and confidence;

·  Helping to keep people healthy and in their homes for longer;

·  Community support provided for new developments;

·  Building strong communities can sustain health and mental well-being;

·  Working with communities at grass roots level helps them to respond to their own needs; and

·  Supporting and setting up small community groups and schemes help reduce isolation.

Future challenges:

·  A growing population: growing in numbers, age and a growing number of people with long-term health conditions.

·  A changing profile of volunteers: fewer volunteers due to people working for longer and more people acting as carers. Those seeking voluntary work often require greater support.

·  Increasing funding pressures as those organisations which provide grants are looking to cut spending.

The Chairman of the Panel asked what triggers the involvement of Care Network with community groups. The Panel were informed that groups are able to approach the Care Network directly and involvement can also be triggered by third party referrals. The three primary sources of funds for Care Network (Cambridgeshire County Council and South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire District Councils) are all facing budget issues.

The Care Network confirmed that work including value stream mapping is taking place to ensure that the organisation is as lean as it possibly can be.

When asked about the size of community groups supported, the Care Network confirmed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To consider the work programmes of the Economic and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Panels.

The Panel received and noted a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which contained details of studies being undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels for Economic Well-Being and Environmental Well-Being.

To consider a report on the Panel’s activities.

With the aid of a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel reviewed the progress of its activities since the last meeting. It was noted that the review of elderly patient care at Hinchingbrooke Hospital was on hold as this was linked to ongoing Care Quality Commission activity.

To scrutinise decisions taken since the last meeting as set out in the Decision Digest and to raise any other matters for scrutiny that sit within the remit of the Panel.

The 158th Edition of the Decision Digest was received and noted by the Panel.