Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report setting out progress in relation to establishment of a Community Engagement Framework (CEF).

The Board was advised that the HSP Performance Management Group (PMG) had established a multi agency sub group to lead on the delivery of the CEF.  

The first phase of the consultation process had now concluded and the second phase was due to commence on 5 March. This would include publishing the consultation document on the Council’s website and circulating this Voluntary Sector groups for feedback. A questionnaire would also be circulated as part of this seeking specific comments in relation to the vision, definition and principles of the CEF. 

During the second phase a each of the Thematic Boards would also be provided with an opportunity to discuss and comment on the draft CEF.

It was noted that the third phase of the consultation process would take place in the Autumn and would focus primarily on the development of the Action Plan.

The Board discussed progress to date and concern was raised that at present there was not sufficient emphasis on Empowerment and the measures in place to achieve this. Representatives from the Third Sector felt that this would form an essential part of the CEF and its success.

The Board was advised that it had not been considered appropriate to carry out a cost analysis or allocate funding until the second phase of consultation had been completed.  Once this phase had concluded work would be carried out work in relation to this would commence.

It was noted that organisations often received requests for the same sets of information on a regular basis and it was suggested that there should be cross referencing with tools such as the Compact Tool Kit to ensure that duplication did not occur.

The Board was advised that the sub-group working on the document had recognised the need to present information in a way that made it accessible to people. To reflect this information had been presented in the form of a matrix rather than in a list.

RESOLVED:

That the draft CEF consultation document be approved for public consultation in early March 2009.