Apologies were received from:-

Councillor Hazell – Councillor Seamons substituted;

Councillor Shah Khan – Councillor Darke substituted;

Councillor Young – no substitute available.

Councillor Baxter apologised for his expected late arrival.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have on items contained in this agenda.

None

Contact officer: Sebastian Johnson, Strategic Policy and Partnerships Officer

01865 252317; srjohnson@oxford.gov.uk;  Val Johnson, Policy Team Leader  01865 252209  vjohnson@oxfiord.gov.uk

The Head of Policy, Culture and Communications submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning the current arrangements for the Council’s partnership work in the City and County. The Committee welcomed Peter McQuitty, Val Johnson and Margaret Melling (all from Policy, Culture and Communications) to the meeting. Apologies from Sebastian Johnson and Mark Fransham were noted. The Committee also welcomed Councillor Bob Price (Board Member for Corporate Governance and Strategic Partnerships and Leader of the Council).

 Peter McQuitty and Val Johnson introduced the report and gave a short presentation to the Committee.  They, along with Councillor Price, provided the following additional information:-

• Policy review work now relies more on data gathering and analysis;
• There is no longer a requirement to have a city-wide community partnership and strategy;
• All the current Oxford Strategic Partnership (OSP) priorities were under review, and there was a desire to engage the public in this process;
• The OSP had existed for about 9 years. Some of its areas of work would continue independently, but there was a desire to refresh the other priorities to make them fir for the next 10 years;
• Each board and sub group consisted of different people who represented the wider community of Oxford. A new Health and wellbing board was being established and the City council wanted a strong voice on any new structures;
• The Policy team felt it was important to ensure City officers and Councillors were aware of decisions taken in the partnership groups and boards so that they could take appropriate action where needed;
• The Oxfordshire Partnership was felt to be less effective than it might be, but some of the boards that sat beneath it were more interesting and effective;

Councillor Campbell reminded the Committee that its purpose at the meeting was to look at two aspects of this issue: the City’s partnerships, and means by which the public could become more involved with decision making. Members of the Committee made the following points and received the following additional information (where given) in response:-

Public participation and managing expectations

It was difficult to involve people in the formation of structure plans because these had a relatively long life – local plans were an easier thing to deal with. There was a question around the means by which we handle the different issues of the strategic and the local.

There was a need to involve people in making constrained choices. They needed to know what was both legally and physically possible, and this was a learning process requiring intensive action from those seeking public involvement.

Expectations had to be managed well – people lost faith if the Council failed to deliver on its promises, so it was vital not to give people false hopes.

The various partnership boards published agendas and minutes which varied in quality.

How often was the Talkback Panel refreshed?

Response:

OSP was a well-run organisation. The Oxfordshire Partnership was in the hands of individual secretariats. Some areas of work were well publicised.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Contact Officer: Alec Dubberley (Democratic Service Officer) Tel 01865 252402, adubberley@oxford.gov.uk.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) providing an update on the work of the “Cleaner Greener Oxford” scrutiny panel. The Committee welcomed Councillor John Tanner (Board Member for Cleaner, Greener Oxford), Councillor Val Smith (Panel Member) and Alec Dubberley (Democratic Services Officer) to the meeting.

Cllr Tanner explained that most people felt that the Cleaner Greener project had been very successful so far. It had raised people’s standards and expectations, and has involved local people in Blackbird Leys.  Councillor Val Smith added that, as a local ward member, people had spoken to her about issues with rubbish for a very long time. They had since expressed satisfaction with the standard of cleansing of the streets, but alleyways continued to cause concern. Problems with rubbish and litter at blocks of flats remained a major issue. Windale School had been involved with cleaning rubbish and litter, and the Community Payback teams had been clearing up in parks. Councillor Smith would be keen to see their involvement continue and develop further.

Alec Dubberley presented the report to the Committee and explained the background to the recommendations.  The Committee made the following points:-

(1)    It was important to involve local people and especially the Civic Society which carried out a big spring clean every March;

(2)    Residents’ Associations were very well placed to influence people’s attitudes towards litter and rubbish;

(3)    It was important to ask how much the Cleaner Greener scheme had cost;

(4)    There could be a role for ward members when the scheme expanded to other areas in the City;

(5)    It had been observed that the Cleaner Greener scheme was going to move into Jericho next, and there was some concern about how this decision had been made.

Councillor Tanner suggested that, if the Panel wished to continue, it could have a valuable role in monitoring the pilot scheme to deal with litter at the blocks of flats in Druce Way, and in the general area around.

Resolved:-

(1)   That the Panel should continue its work in the future;

(2)   That the main focus of the work should be the evaluation of improvement measures taken in Druce Way, and to report further in the New Year;

(3)   To thank Alec Dubberley and the Panel members for their hard work on this issue.

Contact Officer: Pat Jones (Principal Scrutiny Officer) Tel 01865 252191, phjones@oxford.gov.uk

An update report concerning the progress of the Young People’s Engagement Panel was submitted (previously circulated, now appended). Pat Jones (Principle Scrutiny Officer) presented this report to the Committee.

Pat Jones informed the Committee that the young people so far engaged came from dysfunctional backgrounds and lacked structure in their lives. The fact that they managed to turn up to something on time was a significant step for them.  Neil Holman added that this was a new piece of work and that some young people were part of the hidden communities about which the Committee had expressed concern. They had a very narrow outlook on life and some had significant educational issues as well. The Positive Futures project was communicating via Facebook and other social media in order to reach them.

However, 11 young people had been selected from wider engagement work, and it was anticipated that approximately 5 would be able to form a Positive Futures Youth Forum.  To launch this, the young people will be invited to make a film about themselves to show what they have to offer in a meaningful and positive light. Neil Holman (Community Safety) will continue with the work after the launch.

It was observed that the involvement of Councillors Sanders, Campbell and Sinclair, and Pat Jones, had been invaluable to the group.  Councillor Campbell added that he was impressed by the work carried out by Pat, Neil and Ash, one of the Council’s apprentices, who was now helping at the Youth Club at Littlemore (and doing very well).

Pat Jones urged members to support the launch night, which would take place at a bowling evening. Councillors would then be able to meet some of the young people so far involved with the project.

In answer to a question, Pat Jones confirmed that 4 boys and 1 girl were part of the Youth Forum. The Positive Futures scheme was funded by the Police, Criminal Justice Board and the Council and worked with the Early Intervention Hub – but it was not part of that Hub.

The Committee thanked Neil Holman and Pat Jones for their informative report and all their hard work so far.

The current position was noted.

Contact Officer: Pat Jones (Principal Scrutiny Officer), Tel 01865 252191, phjones@oxford.gov.uk

Pat Jones (Principal Scrutiny Officer) presented the work programme to the Committee.

It was agreed that the meeting planned for the 12^th December would move to 14^th December to allow Councillor Jones to attend. This meeting has been scheduled as a select committee meeting devoted to the issue of Public Health, and work on this has already begun.

It was noted that the Housing Panel had also started work and was progressing well.

It was also noted that the Housing Stock De-designation Panel was re-forming.

A second select committee devoted to the issue of regeneration has been scheduled for 7^th February. Councillors Altaf-Khan and Lloyd-Shogbesan have volunteered to take this issue forward. Councillor Lloyd–Shogbesan suggested, and the Committee agreed, that the focus should be on “youth enterprise” rather than youth unemployment. Councillors Altaf-Khan and Lloyd-Shogbesan would initially define the groups they wished to reach and then work on a method of doing this.

Resolved to note the work programme and the information outlined above.

Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th June 2011 attached

Resolved to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th June 2012 as a correct record, with the following observations/comments:-

Minute 5, resolution 1 – The City Council has a volunteering scheme but take-up from staff is very low. This issue has not been overlooked;

Minute 5 – Capacity building – Alison Baxter had volunteered to provide details of the groups she mentioned as being associated with OCVA, but nothing had been supplied to date. This would be followed up;

Minute 5 – Equalities issues – the Committee would like to know how well the BME community was represented;

Minute 5 – monthly newsletter – this had been offered to members but not yet received – a reminder will be sent to OCVA;

Minute 8 – report back on the Household Waste Recycling Centre Strategy – Lois Stock to ask Councillor John Tanner to obtain information on differential charging from Oxfordshire County Council.

Minute 9 – Update on Area Forums – It had been suggested that training in Community leadership be provided for members. It seems that the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) also provides a range of training modules that might be suitable. This is being explored at present. There would be a further report on the progress of Area Forums in due course.

The following dates have been agreed by Council:

12^th December 2011

7^th February 2012

2^nd April 2012

Please note that the Committee will meet at 6pm.

Resolved to note the following dates:-

14^th December 2011 – please note change of date from 12^th December.

7^th February 2012

2^nd April 2012