Agenda item

A presentation will also be provided on this item and there will be discussion on the following:

• Progress in the negotiation of the Local Area Agreement

• Feedback from the Local Area Agreement Workshop
• Progress on the development of the Greenest Borough Strategy
• Discussion about how the Better Places Partnership should shape itself to deliver against its objectives

The Board received a presentation setting out how it was proposed that its objectives and the LAA targets within its responsibility, would be delivered within the new frameworks currently being established. 

The Board was responsible for the delivery of two key areas that sought improving the quality of life in Haringey:

• Delivery of Local Area Agreement (LAA) targets both specifically within the Boards responsibility and relevant targets within the remit of other Boards
• Delivery of the Greenest Borough Strategy (endorsed by the HSP in April 2008)

The LAA targets had been negotiated with GOL and the LAA document had been formally submitted on 30 May and was currently awaiting ministerial sign off. The Board had responsibility for delivery of the following LAA targets:

• Reducing CO2 emissions
• Improving levels of recycled waste and composting
• Improving street cleanliness
• Increasing the number of Green Flag Parks in the Borough
• Increasing the percentage of people who were satisfied or fairly satisfied with local parks and green spaces
• Access to services and facilities by public transport

The Greenest Borough Strategy had been adopted by as a Partnership Strategy in April 2008. This had been considered appropriate in order to reflect that need to work in partnership in order to achieve the Strategies objectives. It was noted that the Strategy included seven priority themes:

• Improving the urban environment
• Protecting the natural environment
• Managing environmental resources efficiently
• Leading by example and managing partnership resources efficiently
• Sustainable design and construction
• Promoting sustainable travel
• Raising awareness and involvement

The Board was advised that the intention of the presentation was to stimulate discussion around how future Board meetings should be organised. It was suggested that the format of the Boards meetings should be revised with one area being focussed on for discussion. In addition to this it was suggested that there should be a review of the current membership of the Board to ensure that it was ‘fit for purpose’ and best placed to deliver its objectives.

It was noted that there should be a review of the Boards structure to ensure that the Partnership’s strategic decision making function was complemented by a more focussed working groups that could assist the Board deliver its objectives.

It was proposed that the quarterly meetings of the Board should be used to provide a strategic focus and an overview of priorities and the allocation of resources.

Following the presentation the Chair opened discussion by asking the Board for feedback in relation to proposals around the structure of future meetings. There was a general consensus that it would be helpful if each meeting was used to discussion a maximum of two of the priorities contained within the Greenest Borough Strategy. It was noted that it would be helpful if an overview was provided, prior to discussion of how the LAA targets within the Boards responsibility related to these priorities.

It was also suggested that, where appropriate, experts from external organisations should be invited to attend Board meetings to inform discussion. There was agreement that this would be useful. The Assistant Director, Service Improvement, suggested that an overview of the key projects across the Council relating to the specific objectives being discussed, could be brought to the Board.

There was agreement that Action Plans setting out how each of the objectives within the Greenest Borough Strategy should be compiled and brought to the Board to inform discussion.

In response to a query the Board was advised that Council officers would be responsible for compiling a Delivery Plan in relation to the Greenest Borough Strategy. As part of this commitment from partners to assisting in the delivery of the Strategy’s objectives would be sought.  

The Board discussed how work would take place at a practical level between Board meetings and it was contended that there should be a formal mechanism in place to ensure that the views of the Community and Voluntary Sector were being considered by officers responsible for implementing decisions.

The Chair advised Board members were free to contact officers between meetings to discuss how particular issues were being progressed.

It was noted that, through their election to the Board, it was implicit that the CLF representatives would convey the views of the organisations they represented at Board meetings. There was an expectation that this would happen between meetings.

Following discussion there was agreement that the following topics should be discussed at future meetings:

• Improving the Urban Environment / Protecting the Natural Environment
• Managing Environmental Resources Effectively / Leading by Example
• Sustainable Design and Construction / Promoting Sustainable Travel

There was agreement that as Raising Awareness was a cross cutting issue this should be considered at all meetings.

The Chair noted that the Board had strong links to the Integrated Housing Board and suggested that its Members should be invited to attend the Boards next meeting.

RESOLVED: