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Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Council Chamber - Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings TN34 3UY. View directions
Contact: Jenny Ling tel: 01424 451844 email: jling@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Welcome and Introductions
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and began with a tribute to Cllr Jeremy Birch. He was one of the LSP’s greatest champions from its inception and a great loss to the Board, the community and the town.
Introductions were made.
Minutes and Matters Arising
Notes of the last LSP meeting on 27th April 2015 to approve PDF 68 KB
Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting held on 27th April 2015 were agreed as an accurate record with no amendments.
Matters Arising
Minutes:
(3) Monica reported that the commitment to bring together the Employment and Skills schemes will be undertaken at the next EDG meeting in September.
(8) Although it was not possible to get Darren Grayson to attend at LSP, a letter from the Board regarding the Conquest hospital performance was sent. However, since that time Darren Grayson has tendered his resignation. County’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee which includes a number of LSP partner organisations and elected members for Hastings, is monitoring the situation and will discuss the CQC report at their next meeting. A report will be brought to LSP when further details are available.
Action: Notes of next HOSC meeting to be circulated to LSP for information (Shabana Bayjou)
Update on the Developments at the University of Brighton, Hastings Campus
Paul Frost, University of Brighton
Minutes:
Paul Frost, principal of the University of Brighton in Hastings gave a progress update to the Board.
Applications, offers and acceptances are up and a number of new programmes for Hastings hopes to bring in new students. Improving the student accommodation provision, facilities and opening new floors in Lacuna Place are now priority considerations.
A new Vice Chancellor, Deborah Humphries has been appointed following the retirement of Julian Crampton. The chair recommended that a letter be sent to Julian, thanking him for his work and assistance in the past. Early discussions with Deborah would be welcome.
Action: SB to draft a letter of thanks on behalf of the LSP signed by Chairs and Vice Chairs.
The number of local students has steadily declined and the board recommended careful monitoring of what proportions of students come from the town in comparison to those from further afield. A good nightime economy for young people will also help attract and retain students and partnership working will be key to achieve this aim, although the University do not wish to compete with other entertainment operators in the town.
They thanked Paul for the presentation and look forward to regular updates.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Board received a number of presentations on this item from Richard Watson from the Hastings and Rother CCG; Sonia Plato and Naomi Ridley from the Adult Community Learning Forum; Julie Eason a consultant who recently conducted a survey on behalf of HARC and Andrew Palmer Head of Housing at HBC who leads on the Anti-Poverty Action Plan.
Reducing Health Inequalities Programme – Richard Watson
This presentation outlined the CCG’s commitment to addressing health inequalities in Hastings and Rother and ensuring better outcomes for patients. The programme consists of a number of projects, some of which are already up and running. Examples of what they plan to do include:
- Enhancing patient pathways
- Piloting a social prescribing approach
- Working with partners e.g. Southdown Housing who have a worker based in the GP surgery at Station Plaza
- Tailoring solutions to the needs of different neighbourhoods
Learner Needs – Sonia Plato and Naomi Ridley
This presentation outlined the impact of hunger, anxiety and ill health on people’s ability to learn and progress into employment.
Horizons estimated they had seen around 1000 people in need. A range of positive actions were suggested such as:
- Delivering foodbank supplies from additional locations
- Providing sanitary items and toilet roll to people
- Helping with school uniforms and supplies
Impact of Welfare Reform – Julie Eason
Julie Eason had recently conducted a user survey on behalf of HARC who provide specialist benefits advice in the town. The survey identified a number of issues which included:
- People with serious long term conditions being called in to see if they were fit for work
- Lack of information about Schools Assistance Funds which led to a low take up of the fund.
- Not enough use of the Credit Union
Draft Anti-Poverty Action Plan – Andrew Palmer
This verbal presentation explained that the purpose of the Anti-Poverty Steering Group was not to create a whole new set of actions and targets but to facilitate a more joined up approach. The steering group meet quarterly and is dependent on many of the partners in the room actively participating.
Discussion
The LSP partners recognised that it is essential for them to engage with the Anti- Poverty Steering Group (APSG) as the action plan will be instrumental in addressing these concerns.
A number of issues were raised including:
Small local business or employers don’t have access to Occupational Health services, which can be a valuable resource to help residents find and remain in work despite complex issues.
Building trusted relationships is key, often statutory organisations are not approached by t vulnerable people. The recommendations for caseworkers are welcome as it will provide availability of workers with pre-established relationships.
All service providers should look at their own services to assess how easy it is for users to access and understand. A simple proforma in the APS in the form of a questionnaire or checklist could help with this.
Employment initiatives are not rationalised and often don’t target the most vulnerable. We need to consider how successful ... view the full minutes text for item 4.
Introduction to the Source Park
Richard Moore, Source BMX
Minutes:
Richard Moore from The Source gave a presentation on the progress of the conversion of the old White Rock Baths to a skate park.
The Board congratulated the Source on their plans and welcomed the development as a great use of the redundant baths and a key asset for the town, especially our young people as well as a contributor to jobs and local businesses.
Mind the Gap Project
Minutes:
Steve Manwaring gave a brief update on the Mind the Gap project progress. A seminar will be held on 1 September to look at implications in more detail. A questionnaire to inform this process has been prepared for those who can’t attend and this will be distributed to Board members for completion.
Action: SB to circulate the proforma on behalf of the Mind the Gap project team.
Seawater Bathing Quality PDF 6 MB
Steve Manwaring, HVA
Minutes:
Steve Manwaring reported that Mike Hepworth will now be the HBC lead officer for bathing water quality. The strategy group met last week and with cautious optimism from Southern Water and the Environment Agency we now hope that Hastings will be able to meet the satisfactory standards when measured in October. With continued work we may even be able to exceed the minimum requirements but any significant rainfall could still negatively impact the results.
Marie Casey praised the work of the Clean Seas initiative, a good example of partnership working which could provide a case study for other future initiatives to replicate success.
Information Items
Minutes:
The Regeneration and Family Keywork reports were noted for information.
Executive Delivery Group Notes 24th June 2015 PDF 62 KB
Minutes:
The minutes of the last EDG meeting were presented for information.
East Sussex Strategic Partnership Notes 21st May 2015 PDF 42 KB
Minutes:
The minutes of the last ESSP meeting were presented for information.
Next Meeting Date: Monday 19 October 2015
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