DirApp NAC 230912 CPP Board Minutes
North Ayrshire Council · 13 September 2023
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 13 September 2023 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 13 September 2023 North Ayrshire Council Title: North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Board: Minutes of Meeting held in June 2023 Purpose: To submit the Minutes of the meeting of the North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership Board held on 22 June 2023. Recommendation: That Council the Council notes the Minutes contained in Appendix 1. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 It was previously agreed that the Minutes of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Board be submitted to North Ayrshire Council for information. The key matters arising from the minutes have been highlighted for the attention of Council and are detailed in Section 2.1. 2. Background 2.1 Minutes of the meeting of the CPP Board held on 22 June 2023 are appended. This meeting focused on the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan ‘World’ priority and took place in person in the Council Chambers. Particular matters for the Council's attention include the following: Meeting of March 2023 Agenda Item 3 CPP partners received a joint presentation and asked to support the suite of children and young people’s strategies, including the Children’s Services Strategic Plan and the Child Poverty Report and Action Plan. The reports were endorsed and will be submitted to the Scottish Government. Agenda Item 4 Partners received an update on the work of the Climate Change Steering Group. This included the aims of the group, the strategic principles of Sustainable North Ayrshire and an overview of a number of projects including two new solar farms, the Community Net Zero fund, Energy Smart and ECO4 Flex. An update was also provided on the Ayrshire Energy Master Plan and the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy.
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Agenda Item 5 The CPP Board received an update on the work of the Green Health Partnership. The Partnership was formed in 2018. Green Health is improving health and reducing health inequalities by making more use of the outdoors for nature-based activities such as walking, cycling, outdoor play, conservation work, growing or volunteering in the outdoors. Partners were updated on the key strategic local and national links, the Green Health referral pathway and an overview of Green Health Week 2023. Agenda Item 6 An update on Active Travel was received. The Active Travel Team is currently developing a new Local Transport and Active Travel Strategy for North Ayrshire. The objectives of the Active Travel Strategy are: • Deliver a well-connected and accessible active travel network. • Facilitate an increase in the proportion of all journeys made by walking, wheeling and cycling. • Deliver training, events and promotion of active travel to encourage more people to travel by active means. Key funders include such SPT, Sustrans, Transport Scotland. Community groups, locality networks and other key delivery partners such as the NHS and Police Scotland are also involved. The Board received an overview of key projects including: • Feasibility/Design Stage: Largs prom, Cumbrae Active Travel Link, Dalry-Kilbirnie • Construction Stage: Caledonian Railway Path, Fairlie Coastal Path, i3 active travel link. Agenda Item 7 This is currently a standing item. CPP partners received an update on the work of the Child Poverty and Cost of Living Board including Energy Smart, the new Child Poverty and Cost of Living Fund, new funding for the Community Transport Initiative, Islands Crisis Emergency Fund, the Parental Employability Support Fund and Co-ordinator and £2.3 million additional funding for P 4/5 free school meals. 3. Proposals 3.1 That the Council notes the Minutes contained in Appendix 1. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 None. Human Resources 4.2 None. Legal 4.3 None.
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Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 None. Environmental and Sustainability 4.5 None. Key Priorities 4.6 The CPP activities detailed within this report support the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None. 5. Consultation 5.1 No consultation was required. Audrey Sutton Executive Director Communities and Education For further information please contact Jacqui Greenlees, Senior Manager (Policy, Performance and Community Planning), on 01294 324415. Background Papers Appendix: 1 CPP Board Minutes, 22 June 2023
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Community Planning Partnership Board Thursday 22 June 2023 at 11.15 am In Council Chambers, Cunninghame House, Irvine Present North Ayrshire Council Cllr Marie Burns, Elected Member (Chair) Cllr John Bell, Elected Member Cllr Timothy Billings, Elected Member Cllr Alan Hill, Elected Member Cllr Margaret Johnson, Elected Member Cllr Shaun Macaulay, Elected Member Craig Hatton, Chief Executive Audrey Sutton, Executive Director Rhonda Leith, Head of Service Ayrshire College Angela Cox, Chief Executive & Principal North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership Caroline Cameron, Director NHS Ayrshire and Arran Lesley Bowie, Chair, NHS Ayrshire and Arran (Vice Chair) Ruth Mellor, Consultant in Public Health Police Scotland Superintendent Derek Frew Scottish Enterprise Brian Connolly, Engagement Partner Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Neil Shearer, Local Senior Officer In Attendance Jacqui Greenlees (NAC), Lesley Dunlop (NAC), Gillian Jennings (Green Health Partnership), Claire Fitzsimmons (NAC), Jennifer Wraith (NAC) Apologies Sheila Lynn (DWP), Cllr Scott Davidson (Elected Member), Vicky Yuill (Arran CVS), Shona Mitchell (Skills Development Scotland), Sam Anson (Scottish Government), Niamh O’Connor (Scottish Government), Kaileigh Brown (TACT), Paul Zealey (SDS), Allan Comrie (SPT) 1. Welcome and Apologies The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologies for absence were noted. 2. Minute of the Previous Meeting The minutes of the Board meeting held on 13 March 2023 were approved.
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3. Children’s Services Strategic Partnership Audrey Sutton and Caroline Cameron provided the Board with a presentation on the suite of children and young people’s strategies, including the Children’s Services Strategic Plan and the Child Poverty Report and Action Plan. A Sutton advised that the reports have been brought to the Board to seek endorsement. C Cameron informed the Board of the importance of the North Ayrshire Young People Needs Assessment and shared several points including: • It is estimated that 29% of local young people live in poverty which is the second highest in Scotland. • 45% of local young people live in areas that are considered to be in the 20% most deprived across Scotland. • The cost-of-living crisis is adding additional pressure on all families in North Ayrshire and is more acutely experienced by those families living in poverty. • Our young people in our island communities are also facing additional challenges of low wellbeing and feelings of isolation due to the rural nature of their communities. • 18 in every 1,000 children living in North Ayrshire is currently care experienced, this is the 4th highest rate in Scotland. • In 2022, the rate of local children on the Child Protection Register was almost double the national average. At 4.2 (per 1000) this was the highest rate in Scotland. • In terms of general health, in 2022 there has been a decrease in the percentage of primary one children who are a healthy weight across the country. In North Ayrshire, 65% of children were reported as being of a healthy weight. • Services to support children’s mental health have seen significant increases year on year, with a higher proportion coming from areas of high deprivation and with increased presentation of neurodiverse needs. • Local demand for Speech and Language Therapy has increased in recent years, with concern over services’ capacity to manage. C Cameron shared the new Children’s Services Plan 2023-2026 with the Board and highlighted the five key priorities: • The rights of children and young people are promoted and protected. • Acting early to improve what happens next. • Making things fairer. • Promoting good mental health and wellbeing. • Inspiring children and young people to be active. C Cameron advised of actions against the five priorities including: • Ensure that Children’s engagement forums focus on rights, helping children and families understand UNCRC and what this means. • Through our Advocacy Strategy prioritise community-based advocacy to children and young people ensuring they are aware of their rights and are appropriately represented. • Implement the Signs of Safety approach to social work practice. • Improve planning for transitions of care to ensure children and young people are able to thrive moving into adulthood. • Close the poverty related attainment gap. • Create a new 3 year raising attainment strategy. • Establish a Financial Inclusion Partnership in North Ayrshire to better support access to support for families. • Work with children, young people, families, and communities to improve mental health and wellbeing through physical activity and social participation.
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• Improve services for children with neuro-developmental conditions, implementing a whole system approach with partners. • Ensure we remove any barriers to participation for care experienced young people to take part in sport and physical activity. • Ensure all primary, secondary and ASN schools are provided with quality extra-curricular opportunities in sport and physical activity open to all. C Cameron advised that to address the priorities the plan sets out: • A suite of supporting actions, identified across partner organisations. • Significant commitment to whole system response to supporting children and their families. • Our commitment to complying with national policy, in particular the UNCRC and the Promise. • How local partners align and prioritise the wellbeing of children and young people. C Cameron concluded with an explanation of how the plan will be achieved including: • How the plan will be resourced, including the use of an estimated budget of £218 million across all partner services. • How the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund investment will add value locally. • The key support mechanisms, workstreams, committees and future developments that will focus support on improving the lives of vulnerable children and young people. A Sutton advised that the Child Poverty Action Plan is a shared responsibility of the local authority and the health board and was completed using a collaborative approach with internal and external partners. A Sutton informed that the report consists of: • Summary of the existing and planned activity intended to reduce child poverty in North Ayrshire. • Development and implementation of a Child Poverty and Cost of Living strategy to reflect the Scottish Government’s “Best Start, Bright Futures” tackling child poverty delivery plan 2022 to 2026. A Sutton shared key highlights of the report including: • Establishing our Child Poverty and Cost of Living Board, chaired by the Leader of the Council, with representation from NHSAAA, North Ayrshire’s HSCP, Third Sector Interface and Community Planning partners. • Strengthening our participatory approach to developing local supports through a series of mini enquiries focused on employability, food, childcare, and ensuring there is ‘no wrong door’ in North Ayrshire. • Embedding innovative employability initiatives with partners, including heath visitors and third sector partners, supported by the Parental Employability Fund. • Continuing our commitment to reducing the cost of the school day in partnership with our learners. This year we have prioritised school clothing & equipment, a winter warmer breakfast in all secondary schools and IT devices for identified learners. A Sutton informed the Board of areas of focus for the year ahead which included the following: • Further maximising parental employment opportunities through a Parental Employment Coordinator. • Implementing the recent review of financial inclusion services. • Continuing to support families where disability is a factor through the EQUAL Programme
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• Maximising the opportunities provided by the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund, for example in relation to supporting dads and male caregivers and extending the Family Centred Wellbeing Service. • Work with the Third Sector and community partners to scope our current provision for whole family support and identify where our gaps are, to create a fund for partner activity through the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund. • Improving support for young mums. • Working with partners to source and use local information to target resources effectively. • Implementing a range of additional actions outlined in mini-enquiry action plans to improve local employment, food provision, childcare and implementation of a ‘No Wrong Door’ approach. A Sutton informed that the Children’s Rights Report is a statutory requirement which must be provided every three years. She highlighted the points below: • Almost 90% of Additional Support Needs and young carers have their voice heard, helping to realise Article 12 of the United Nations Charter on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). • No child or young person will go without a school meal in North Ayrshire. • Our electronic cashless catering system provides anonymity for those entitled to free school meals. • We have invested in a Welfare Rights Officer who works with our secondary establishments. A Sutton thanked everyone for their contribution and participation and asked them to endorse the reports and plan so that they could be submitted to the Scottish Government. The Chair thanked A Sutton and C Cameron for their presentation and applauded the work that has taken place so far. The Chair invited comments and questions from the Board which included: • Councillor Bell stated that it is great to see the amount of work that has gone on and the measures that are in place. He added that there are additional issues due to Covid with young children starting nursery with a lack of socialisation and asked what is being done to support the socialisation and language skills need? A Sutton responded that there is both a national and local response and added that C Cameron spoke earlier about the neurodevelopmental pathway and further speech and language therapy work. There is also a national working group around relationships in schools. North Ayrshire have created a group to look at relationships of children and young people. • Angela Cox thanked A Sutton and C Cameron for a comprehensive piece of work and providing an evidence base to build on. Reflecting on the number of actions to take place she asked if there would be an impact assessment to look at so that we can prioritise on the measures that make the most impact. A Sutton replied that there will be a Needs Assessment on poverty in North Ayrshire that will show the Scottish Government the breadth and depth of what is happening in North Ayrshire. A more straightforward version of this report will be made available for the public. It is also the job of the Children’s Services Strategic Partnership to assess and hold partners accountable. To date we have involved a range of partners via mini enquiries. C Cameron added the actions will be spread across a range of partners to take forward and that it is about using existing services. The Chair asked the Board if they are happy to endorse. All agreed. 4. Climate Change Steering Group Jennifer Wraith provided the Board with a presentation on the work of the Climate Change Steering Group.
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J Wraith highlighted: • North Ayrshire Council’s aim is for Net Zero by 2030. • The reduction in emissions so far and the projection of reduction to 2030. • Emissions mainly come from Industry, Commercial, Transport and Domestic Waste. The Climate Change Steering Group aims to: • Act as a sounding board and critical friend to support and challenge the implementation of the North Ayrshire Sustainability Strategy. • Bring ideas, lessons learned and best practice from elsewhere in the UK and internationally around climate change mitigation and adaption. • Advise on approach to achieving net zero carbon by 2030. • Contribute wider policy knowledge on the sustainability and climate change agenda. • Promote North Ayrshire’s actions on climate change. • Contribute to the review and refresh of the North Ayrshire Council Environmental and Climate Change Strategy as required. • Members of the CCSG include - NAC, Ayrshire College, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, KA Leisure, Community Groups, Youth, Industry and Transport Sector The strategic principles of Sustainable North Ayrshire are: • Take a whole system approach. • Report on our emissions • Develop a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency • Prioritise actions on ‘heat and fleet’. • Articulate the potential costs and skills required. • Expand on the need for adaptation measures. • Identify opportunities for carbon sinks and other carbon capture technologies. J Wraith gave examples of community and partnership in action such as: • Two new solar farm projects • Community Net Carbon Zero Fund which has £350k to support community energy generation. • Energy Smart • ECO4 Flex / ABS maximising funding to support private sector. J Wraith informed the Board of the Ayrshire Energy Master Plan and the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and provided information on their work. North Ayrshire Council are working in partnership with East and South Ayrshire Councils to provide a network of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points across Ayrshire with the aim to provide an extra 307 points. They are also working on decarbonising their fleet of vehicles. J Wraith highlighted upcoming opportunities to work alongside partners including community engagement via mini enquiries. The Chair thanked J Wraith for her presentation and acknowledged the opportunity for joint working. Councillor Macaulay thanked J Wraith for her excellent presentation. He stated that climate change is the biggest issue we face. He added that it would be good to have regular updates regarding the ongoing work.
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Brian Connolly also thanked J Wraith for her presentation and advised that Scottish Enterprise are delighted to be involved. He highlighted that there are a number of funds available including of the private sector and he is happy to share this information. The Chair advised that the Board is happy to continue to receive updates. Craig Hatton suggested that partner updates regarding climate change would be useful. All agreed. The Chair thanked J Wraith for her presentation. 5. Green Health Partnership Gillian Jennings and Ruth Mellor provided the Board with a presentation on the work of the Green Health Partnership. G Jennings advised the Board that the Green Health Partnership was formed in 2018. Green Health is improving health and reducing health inequalities by making more use of the outdoors for nature based activities such as walking, cycling, outdoor play, conservation work, growing or volunteering in the outdoors. G Jennings highlighted some of the associated benefits of green health such as: • Cycling reduces congestion and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. • Brisk 30 minute walk 5 days of the week can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, hip fractures, cancer, depression. • Volunteering in the outdoors helps develop transferrable skills for employability. • Children: improved motor skills, reduced symptoms of ADHD. • Promotes social interaction and improves mental wellbeing. G Jennings informed the Board of key strategic links both locally and nationally. The NHS is the lead organisation but works in partnership with other organisations. There are five areas of work that they undertake – Green Health Activity, Green Health Referral/Social Prescribing, Building Capacity, Communications, Monitoring & Evaluation. G Jennings explained the referral pathway for a person with a defined health need can be a self- referral, via a Health Professional or Community Link Worker. Referral partners include KA Leisure, TACT, Scottish Wildlife Trust. All information is on the Green Health Partnership website which has links to activities, events calendar, resources amongst other information. Green Health Week in May was very successful with over 40 different activities/sessions available. On 20th May a Green Health Day was held at Eglinton Park with 26 different community groups and organisations providing green health/nature-based activity and health & wellbeing information delivering stalls. Ruth Mellor highlighted the next steps for the Green Health Partnership which include: • Develop a Green Health Strategic Framework for North Ayrshire. • Host a green health celebration stakeholder event. • Fund our GHP Senior Project Officer until March 2024. • Continue the work of our GHP Steering group. • Promote green health opportunities and share knowledge and learning through nagreenhealth webpages and resources. • Continue to promote engagement with the natural environment through green health social prescribing. • Continue to support our green health community projects.
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R Mellor stated that the asks of the Community Planning Partnership are: • Promote the work of the NAGHP and the importance of engaging with nature from a climate change, health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities perspective. • Support the development of a Green Health Strategic Framework for North Ayrshire. • Embed green health opportunities through our LOIP themes of World, Wellbeing and Work. • Continue to integrate green health into your strategies, plans and services. • Promote community use of the natural spaces you are responsible for. • Support your staff to engage with nature. • Create more opportunities in our local communities for people to engage with nature through promoting green health activities, supporting community groups and enhancing and protecting our natural assets. The Chair thanked G Jennings and R Mellor for their presentation. The Chair added that Placemaking is critical, and this is a perfect illustration of the crossover of themes. The Chair suggested looking at land and assets through community wellbeing and look at how we can maximise the use of them. A Sutton informed of a Wellbeing Alliance workshop which is being held on Friday 23 June at the townhouse which will look at the three priorities – World, Wellbeing and Work, with a focus on Wellbeing, and discuss how we can better co-ordinate the work we are undertaking. 6. Active Travel Claire Fitzsimmons provided the Board with a presentation on the work of the Active Travel Team. C Fitzsimmons highlighted that active travel is walking, cycling and wheeling. The team is currently developing new Local Transport and Active Travel Strategy for North Ayrshire. For this first time, the Local Transport Strategy will include an active travel strategy. Many areas have prepared an active travel strategy separate to their LTS, but we wanted to combine the two to show that active travel is at the top of that transport hierarchy and that it is an integral part of our transport system, plans and discussions. The objectives of the Active Travel Strategy are: • Deliver a well-connected and accessible active travel network. • Facilitate an increase in the proportion of all journeys made by walking, wheeling and cycling. • Deliver training, events and promotion of active travel to encourage more people to travel by active means. C Fitzsimmons advised that within the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan increasing active travel is a specific outcome under the World priority, but it can also play a significant role in both the wellbeing and work priorities as well. C Fitzsimmons added that active travel has far reaching benefits across a range of policy areas. It has an important role to play regarding health and wellbeing, helping to prevent or manage a range of chronic health conditions. It also provides environmental, economic and social benefits, and can contribute to economic performance by providing more cost-effective access to employment. C Fitzsimmons informed that in North Ayrshire, a partnership approach is key. We cannot deliver on our national, regional and local transport vision and ambitions alone. We are reliant on establishing and maintaining good working relationships with a range of partners. This includes some of the key funders such SPT, Sustrans, Transport Scotland. Community groups, locality networks and other key delivery partners such as the NHS and Police Scotland are also involved. C Fitzsimmons highlighted current projects including:
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• Feasibility/Design Stage: Largs prom, Cumbrae Active Travel Link, Dalry-Kilbirnie • Construction Stage: Caledonian Railway Path, Fairlie Coastal Path, i3 active travel link. C Fitzsimmons informed that the base for delivering Travel Smart is the Trinity Active Travel Hub in Irvine which was opened in 2019. It can provide a range of services including: • Maps and information on active travel routes. • Personalised travel planning and advice. • Supporting local businesses to promote workplace walking and cycling. • Supporting and organising events. • Delivering training sessions. • Providing local knowledge on public transport options. The team also has a dedicated officer whose role is to work with employers across the area to encourage their staff to consider active and sustainable travel. Teamwork with a range of partners to deliver active travel improvements, events and training across the area such as Police Scotland to provide joint activities – particularly in relation to road safety, cycle training and bike marking is proving successful. We also work with community partners such as Radio City and TACT to support their efforts in encouraging active travel. C Fitzsimmons advised of the plans and challenges for the year ahead: Plans: • Finalise and publish the Local Transport and Active Travel Strategy. This will be going to Cabinet after recess. • Secure the future of Travel Smart Workplaces project. • Continue to identify new active travel projects. • On the ground delivery of key infrastructure projects such as Fairlie Coastal Path and the Ardrossan Low Carbon Hub. • Expansion of the Travel Smart programme across North Ayrshire with support from community groups and partner organisations. Challenges: • Working within a difficult economic environment. • Need for continued lobbying to emphasise the importance of active travel and the range of policy areas it can support. The Chair thanked C Fitzsimmons for her presentation. 7. Cost of Living Audrey Sutton provided the Board with an update on Cost of Living. A Sutton advised the Board of interventions that are taking place: • Energy Smart has been allocated c. £500,000 from the budget underspend. • New Child Poverty and Cost of Living Fund of £1.4 million over three years. • £100,000 has been allocated for Financial Inclusion to allow the strategy to be implemented. • A further £45,000 has been allocated to CHAP via the Community Investment Fund. • Community Transport Initiative has been allocated £100,000. The pilot is in the Garnock Valley. • Islands Crisis Emergency Fund provides bespoke support. • Parental Employability Support Fund and Co-ordinator. • P 4/5 free school meals - £2.3 million additional funding has been received.
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A Sutton will continue to bring a 6 monthly update to the Board. The Chair thanked A Sutton for her update. 8. Partner Updates No partner updates were received. 9. AOCB No other business was discussed. The next meeting of the North Ayrshire CPP Board will be held on Thursday 14 September at 11.15 am in the Council Chambers, Cunninghame House, Irvine.