CPP Board Minutes - Dec 2022 - Council - 15.02.2023
North Ayrshire Council · 15 February 2023
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 15 February 2023 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 15 February 2023 North Ayrshire Council Title: North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Board: Minutes of Meeting held in December 2022 Purpose: To submit the Minutes of the meeting of the North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership Board held on 8 December 2022. 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 8 December 2022 are appended. Particular matters for the Council's attention include the following: Meeting of December 2022 Agenda Item 3 CPP partners received an update on the Draft Local Police Plan 2023 - 2026 including an overview of the five local policing priorities for Ayrshire. Consultation for the plan is currently live and will close on 12 February 2023. Agenda Item 4 Partners considered the measures put in place by North Ayrshire Council and partners to support communities and vulnerable residents in response to the Cost of Living Crisis. This included support for fuel poverty, an update on the food larder network and the range of support grants available for individual households. Agenda Item 5 A progress report on the support offered to Ukrainian families was presented including an overview of the Family Sponsor Scheme, Homes for Ukraine, and the Super sponsor scheme.
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Agenda Item 6 CPP partners received a summary of the work of the Child Poverty and Cost of Living Board. A number of mini-enquiries have taken place exploring themes of Access to Services, Employability and Food. A report will be submitted to Council later in 2023. Agenda Item 7 Progress with the delivery of the CLD Strategic Plan was presented in a six-monthly update around Youth Work, Adult Education and Community Capacity. The update also covered an overview of the work around development of older people’s voice. There is now a dedicated officer to support this work. Agenda Item 7 An update on progress with the new Local Outcomes Improvement Plan was received. Members were asked to note the date of the next Community Planning Conference on 28th January 2023. 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. 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.
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5. Consultation 5.1 No consultation was required. Audrey Sutton Executive Director (Communities & 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 - 8 December 2022
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Community Planning Partnership Board Thursday 8 December 2022 at 11.00 am Via Microsoft Teams Present North Ayrshire Council Cllr Marie Burns, Elected Member (Chair) Cllr John Bell, Elected Member Cllr Timothy Billings, Elected Member Cllr Scott Davidson, Elected Member Cllr Alan Hill, Elected Member Cllr Shaun Macaulay, Elected Member Craig Hatton, Chief Executive Audrey Sutton, Executive Director Rhona Arthur, Head of Service Ayrshire College Angela Cox, Chief Executive & Principal North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership Caroline Cameron, Director Bob Martin, Chair North Ayrshire IJB DWP Sheila Lynn, Service Leader NHS Ayrshire and Arran Claire Burden, Chief Executive Ruth Mellor, Consultant in Public Health Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain Scottish Enterprise Brian Connolly, Engagement Partner Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Ian McMeekin, Area Manager Skill Development Scotland Shona Mitchell, Head of Operations South West Scottish Partnership for Transport Allan Comrie, Senior Transport Planner In Attendance Cllr Margaret Johnson (NAC), Jacqui Greenlees (NAC), Yvonne Baulk (NAC), Janeine Barrett (NAC), Angela Morrell (NAC), Jennifer McGee (NAC), Apologies Vicki Yuill (TSI), Sam Anson (Scottish Government), Cllr Timothy Billings (NAC), Lesley Bowie, (NHS Ayrshire & Arran Board) 1. Welcome and Apologies The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologies for absence were noted.
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2. Minute of the Previous Meeting The minutes of the Board meeting held on 1 September 2022 were approved. 3. Draft Local Police Plan Faroque Hussain provided the Board with an update on the draft Local Police Plan. F Hussain advised that the consultation for the plan is currently live and will close on 12 February 2023. F Hussain shared Police Scotland’s plan on a page with the Board and advised that this aligned to the national policing priorities for Scotland. The Plan will run from 2023 – 2026 and links in with the North Ayrshire LOIP as well as the Safer Communities Delivery Plan. F Hussain advised that the five local policing priorities for Ayrshire are: • Serious Crime • Violence Against Women and Girls • Safer Communities • Community Wellbeing • Road Safety F Hussain highlighted that Police Scotland are keen to ensure that the local policing priorities fit the needs for North Ayrshire. Cllr Macaulay commented that he is impressed with local engagement from Police and Officers have been involved with the local chit chats in Irvine. Cllr Macaulay also commented that the wellbeing work being undertook by Police Scotland is very beneficial to the area. Cllr Macaulay conveyed his thanks to Police Scotland for being a good partner in North Ayrshire. A Sutton commented that she is interested to see more visibility of the wellbeing work within the Plan. F Hussain undertook to discuss this with his Team. Action: F Hussain A Sutton advised the Board that the Fullarton area of Irvine has been selected by Scottish Police Authority to be a focus area for the work they are doing around improving confidence in Police Scotland in some of our most deprived communities. F Hussain commented that it would be useful to invite the representative from the Scottish Police Authority to come along to a future meeting of the Board. The Chair welcomed this suggestion. Action: F Hussain The Chair thanked F Hussain for his update. 4. Cost of Living Crisis Audrey Sutton provided the Board with a progress report in relation to the North Ayrshire Council response to the current cost-of-living crisis and associated investments and funds. A Sutton advised the Board that the Council is designing and delivering a range of investments and initiatives to mitigate the impacts of the current cost-of-living crisis for its residents. A Sutton shared an overview of these investments, the funds that North Ayrshire administers locally on behalf of Scottish Government or Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which have an impact on the costs of living. Each of the cost-of-living themes are as follows: • Energy advice and support – Funding used to support residents of North Ayrshire through the cost-of-living crisis by reducing fuel poverty and increasing affordable
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warmth, whilst reducing carbon emissions and providing local employment opportunities as part of the programme. • Food, clothing and essentials – Funding used to prevent food poverty through the provision of food with dignity. The aim is to reduce the cost of the weekly shop, not to provide a full shop, so that family budgets go further. Funding has been used for food vouchers during holidays and the provision of warm clothing/footwear/outdoor wear and basic household items, such as toiletries. • Finance and benefits – The following funding streams have been or are available to support the residents of North Ayrshire: o Tenant Grant Fund o Housing Tenant Hardship Fund o Scottish Welfare Fund o Council Tax Reduction Scheme o Housing Benefit o Discretionary Housing Payment o Recovery and Renewal Investment Fund o Financial Inclusion Capacity Building • Children and families o Free School meals o Child bridging payment o Cost of the school day support o Children and families investment fund o School clothing grants o Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) • Health and wellbeing - Empowering local communities to deliver a wide range of events, activities and interventions that support positive mental health and wellbeing across North Ayrshire. Arran CVS had the responsibility for the distribution of the National Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. £814k was allocated to a total of 55 groups over 61 projects in North Ayrshire. • Business and community, including transport for work o Supporting the Resilience of Local Businesses o Review and improve support for childminders and Out of School Care providers o Targeted employability opportunities for key families during Summer 2022 – Plans now progressing to deliver programmes with partners in Easter and Summer 2023. o Public Transport Travel Scheme – scheme provides three months of free access to bus or rail travel to those in low income households and individuals returning to work. • Support for communities o Additional core hours to support opening of Community centres to accommodate activities associated with isolation and financial insecurity. o Community Books – this will allow staff and communities access a wide range of information relating to resources available in the local area. o Third sector support for programmes to support low-income families and individuals by building on current programmes. • Workforce wellbeing o LiveWell Healthy Working Lives Programme - £20k of funding supports employee health and wellbeing through a programme of activities/events including a small grant fund. o Primary Care & Social Care Staff Wellbeing Programme – this supports to support the wellbeing and mental health of the Primary Care and Social Care workforces.
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The Chair thanked A Sutton for her update and conveyed her thanks to all partners involved in the work of the North Ayrshire Cost of Living/Child Poverty Board. Angela Cox advised that Ayrshire College are supporting students in communities by providing a warm space on a Tuesday evening with a hot meal, it has been most popular in the Kilwinning Campus. The College are looking to build upon this and develop further in the new year. A Cox also advised that students have set up a clothes and toy swap shop, this has been very popular and has been extended into the new term. The College will be giving out additional payments up to £500 before and after Christmas. Ian McMeekin advised that Scottish Fire and Rescue are bringing together all of their watch commanders in January and would be keen to have A Sutton along to provide the team with an update on this work and how they can make connections with other partners. A Sutton commented that she would welcome attending this meeting if she is available. Janeine Barrett commented that the Welfare Reform Team and Housing support staff are working with vulnerable tenants and resident to maximise income and signposting to other services as appropriate. Rhona Arthur highlighted that it is important when faced with meeting need people should be advised to contact the phone council main telephone number (01294 310 000) as all support is channelled via this number. R Arthur also highlighted the two cost of living pages available on the North Ayrshire Council website and the Community Planning website. R Arthur encouraged partners to have a look at both pages as there is a wealth of information available for residents on both pages. Jacqui Greenlees advised that the team are currently in the process of creating live web pages that communities can use and submit information to. A second layer to this work is the Community Directory which will provide broader local information and not just crisis information. The Chair asked the Board whether they would welcome regular updates. The Board agreed with this approach. 5. Refugee Taskforce Update Janeine Barrett provided the Board with a presentation on the Refugee Taskforce. J Barrett advised that following the Russian Armed Forces invasion of Ukraine, the Scottish Government made an initial commitment to host 3000 Ukrainian people in Scotland. The uptake for Visa’s has been significantly higher, which has seen the establishment of a number of Welcome Hubs being set up in Scotland. On 8 March 2022 the Council’s Cabinet committed to providing sanctuary and support to those displaced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. J Barrett highlighted that there are three Visa routes to which people can come to Scotland: • Family Sponsor Scheme – this is for people who reside in Ukraine who have family in Scotland. • Homes for Ukraine – 3-year visa scheme, applicants are expected to make their own arrangements by way of sponsors and applications. • Super sponsor scheme - Applicants do not have to find accommodation. Households in Scotland have been asked to give expression of interests to be hosts. Due to the high demand of applications, the Scottish Government on 13 July 2022 suspended applications, however honoured the Visa’s in progress to allow time to create capacity across Scotland.
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J Barrett advised that 150 Ukrainian people have passed through the North Ayrshire Hub with 98 successfully being rehomed into longer term accommodation in North Ayrshire. The Council also secured £486,000 funding from the Scottish Government to carry out improvement works on five blocks of three-storey flats at Glebe Place, Saltcoats, which had previously been earmarked for demolition. J Barrett highlighted that the Ukrainian Taskforce, which is made up of a wide range of community planning partners continue to meet regularly. The Taskforce work together to: • Identify and prepare temporary and longer-term accommodation • Support and provision • Access to schools, GPs, Dental care • Assist with welfare benefit application • Training and employment opportunities • ESOL classes The Chair thanked J Barrett for her update and commented that there has been an incredible amount of work carried up by the Team. The Chair also commented that she has met a number of the Ukrainian families who felt very welcomed coming to North Ayrshire. Councillor Davidson commended the work of the Team. Angela Cox commented that this is a positive story for North Ayrshire, however there is a concern around the need for additional ESOL training and asked if there was any additional funding to support this. J Barrett advised that she is sure a bid had been made for additional ESOL funding and that she would contact A Cox separately to confirm what was bid for and what has been approved. Action: J Barrett Ruth Mellor asked whether the links with the NHS have been made around employability and training. J Barrett advised R Mellor that this work is being co-ordinated by the health representative on the Task Force. 6. Child Poverty Audrey Sutton provided the Board with an update on the work of the Child Poverty. A Sutton highlighted that over the past four months mini-inquiries on two themes of the Child Poverty work, no wrong door and employability have taken place. A Sutton highlighted that in terms of no wrong door, an action plan has been pulled together and will be presented to the Child Poverty and Cost of Living Board in due course. In terms of the employability theme, there has been very fruitful discussions with the Council and the Third Sector around the employability delivery programmes. Much of the discussion has been around the quality of the programmes delivered together, how better to join up and communication to raise awareness of the support available. An action plan has also been pulled together for this theme and will be presented to the Child Poverty and Cost of Living Board. A Sutton advised that at the next CPP Board meeting she will provide a more in-depth presentation in terms of no wrong door and employability, this will give the Board more of an insight on the actions and outputs of this work. Action: A Sutton
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The Chair thanked A Sutton for her update. 7. CLD Strategic Plan Angela Morrell provided the Board with an update on the CLD Strategic Plan. A Morrell advised that the CLD Plan focuses the three key functions of CLD which are Youth Work, Adult Education and Community Capacity. In terms of youth work, all youth work has returned to normal and back to face to face. The digital and North Ayrshire wide activities remain online. Some of the key highlights for Youth Work are: • Highest number of Youth Work modern apprentices since the conception of the programme 9 years ago. 13 Youth Work apprentices work across North Ayrshire with a range of partners. Now entering fourth year of 100% completion in terms of the Youth Work modern apprenticeship. • Currently have 823 registered and taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award across North Ayrshire. All secondary schools across North Ayrshire are delivering this Award. • A number of staff have been trained as ambassadors in Your Resilience and Unity Training. They are working within schools and communities to build up the resilience of young people. • Staff worked alongside a range of partners and volunteers running the summer holiday meals programme. This was attached to activities to ensure young people were provided food with dignity. • Lead Officer for Youth Services won the first Digital and STEM award from Youthlink Scotland. Some of the key highlights for Adult Education are: • Syrian Hub launched supporting refugee led community group to provide a weekly drop in including input from CHAP, HSCP and housing. • Ukrainian Hub launch supporting Ukrainian guests led community group to provide weekly drop in including input from HSCP, housing and DWP. • The Council employ refugees and Ukrainian guests within our core and sessional teams as tutors and locality workers. • 3182 adults engaged in Community Bases Adult Learning activities with locality and thematic teams between March and September 2022. Some of the key highlights for Community Capacity are: • The fairer food network continues to grow, providing upwards of 725 appointments per week and estimating a reach of 2,000-3,000 households across North Ayrshire. • Further developments included the launch of a Google map on the Council website and Library app of the larders. • Working with CWB Colleagues secured four community benefits which provide food directly to the larder network, as part of wider Council contracts. • Public decision-making was recorded for 2.32% of the Council budget in 2021/22. North Ayrshire exceed the 1% target. • Community Asset Transfer (CAT) paperwork has all been reviewed and updated. Team is supporting 18 groups with their CAT paperwork and 7 groups are on the last stage of Asset Transfer.
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• Four of the community engagement hubs are up and running with a needs- based programme of activities for residents and the local community. • External funding levered in for Third Sector organisations was upwards of £400,000. A Morrell highlighted that in terms of work around the development of older people’s voice, there is now an Officer dedicated to support this work. A consultation and engagement plan has also been implemented and 21 weekly activities take place across the engagement hubs. A Morrell also highlighted that North Ayrshire Council were selected to take part in an Aspect Review with HMIE in May 2022. 24 Local Authorities took part and North Ayrshire Council were highlighted as good practice around the work of the food larders and the resilience and recovery. The Chair thanked A Morrell for her update and also conveyed her thanks to the wider CLD Team. 8. Partner updates North Ayrshire CPP - J Greenlees advised the Board that the next Community & Locality Planning Conference will be held on 28 January 2023. J Greenlees encouraged the Board to attend. J Greenlees also advised the Board that she is working on the North Ayrshire response to the Scottish Government to the CPP Inquiry. A copy will be circulated to the Board for comment next week. Ayrshire College – A Cox advised that the Future Schools Hub is on track to be completed by end of academic year and should be teaching from the new facility August 2023. This provides the opportunity to deliver Apprentice training from Kilwinning. The team are also finalising resources around digital and AI courses. Scottish Fire and Rescue – I McMeekin advised that one of the Trade Unions has started consulting on a ballot for industrial action, this started on Monday 5 December and will be complete on 13 January 2023. An update will be provided when necessary. Action: I McMeekin 9. AOCB The Chair conveyed her thanks to all in attendance and commented that there has been a phenomenal amount of work as partners. T 10. The next meeting of the North Ayrshire CPP Board will be held on 13 March at 1.30 pm on Microsoft Teams.