Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2013 be approved as an accurate record.

An apology for absence was received from the following:

Cllr Daniel Thomas, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resource and Performance

Cllr Reuben Thompstone, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families

Steve Knight, Middlesex University

An apology for lateness was received from Mr David Byrne, Barnet and Southgate College.

The London Borough of Barnet’s Chief Executive introduced the report and noted the challenges the authority and its partners face whilst illustrating the ambition of target savings of £185m during 2015 – 2020. 

The Chief Executive highlighted the need for effective partnership working and requested that Board Members note the Efficiency and Service Integrated proposals along with the programme of Community Budget proposals as identified within the report.

Board Members discussed the implications the proposals had to their direct areas of responsibility and noted the challenges and risks ahead.  It was also noted the importance of getting right the future of Governance arrangements were both nationally and locally.   

Furthermore it was noted that the Health and Well-Being Board are to receive a report at a future meeting that outline’s the Borough’s plans for use of the Integration Transformation Fund to progress health and social integration.

The Chief Executive concluded by stating that the report captures good intentions and a positive start to the shared ownership of Barnet’s Priorities and Spending Review.  

Resolved

·         That the Barnet Partnership Board agreed the programme of proposals for efficiency and service integration and noted the inclusion of the economic and feasibility assessment as outlined within the report.

·         That the Barnet Partnership Board approve commitment to ensure the development and the delivery of the programme and its business case.

·         That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Barnet Partnership Board in order to display development.

The London Borough of Barnet’s Chief Executive introduced the report and highlighted the work streams which the report identified.

The Chief Executive explained that the national agenda for Communities is to deliver national growth and that the London Borough of Barnet’s commitment is to enable success via strong partnership arrangements, which the West London Alliance is striving to achieve.    The Chief Executive also commented on the authority’s priority to support the employment, skills and growth within the Borough, underpinned by the authority’s Corporate Plan.

The promotion of the West London Alliance’s values was noted by Board Members and the funding stream which enables growth of the five identified work streams.

The Barnet Partnership Board was keen to achieve delivery within the London Borough of Barnet whilst noting that the Borough is a pioneer of Health and Social Care integration.

Resolved

That the Barnet Partnership Board note the contents of the report and the work streams identified that are to be delivered by the West London Alliance.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and stated that Equality and

Cohesion are fundamental in the London Borough of Barnet.   The Leader noted the importance of partnership working in order to deliver and maintain the Equalities Policy and the Strategy that works in parallel. 

Board Members noted that the public consultation of the draft Equalities which runs until December 2013 and all were encouraged to take part in the process.  Furthermore it was noted that this engagement process offers good opportunity to promote communities within the Borough.

Resolved

That the Barnet Partnership Board note the contents of the report and the draft Equalities Policy and its public consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health introduced the report and highlighted the desire to increase physical activity within the Borough.  The Cabinet Member provided an update of the progress the Health and Well-Being Board had made since May 2013.

Board Members discussed the performance matrix within the report and noted both successes and areas of concern.  During the deliberation views were provided on the reasoning why the length of time spent by householders in short-term nightly purchased accommodation had risen.  

Board Members agreed that NSH England were a key partner and Barnet’s relationship was vital in order for continued successes to be delivered.

Resolved

That the Barnet Partnership Board note the update on the Health and Well-Being Board

The Cabinet Member for Resident Safety and Engagement introduced the report and informed Board Members that the Safer Communities Partnership Board terms of reference had been improved.

The Cabinet Member stated that the Head of Community Safety had been appointed.  Board Members discussed the reduction in crime in the Borough and also noted the increased usage of CCTV which is to be introduced to the Borough early 2014.  

Resolved

That the Barnet Partnership Board note the contents of the report.

The Strategic Director for Communities introduced the report and provided an update for Board Members on the progress made by the Children’s Trust Board.   It was noted that performance indictors must be effectively monitored and coordinated to ensure that partners continue to work together to improve the well-being of children and young people.   

The Strategic Director for Communities emphasised the Budget proposals for 2014/15 and the challenges ahead as the Children’s Trust Board’s update of its works programme was noted. 

Board Members discussed the importance of Early Year’s Intervention and the London Borough of Barnet’s Education Strategy, in particular its desire to enable young people to be economically independent via employment. 

The Strategic Director for Communities also noted that November 2013 was Safeguarding Month and, as such a good opportunity to remember of the important role safeguarding plays.

Board Members noted that Safeguarding is key priority for all and understood that this strengthens the role of the Barnet Partnership Board.

Resolved

That the Barnet Partnership Board note the contents of the report.

No other business was discussed.