Devon Strategic Partnership Board
2.00p.m Thursday 13th February 2014
Fortescue Room, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QD
Minutes of meeting
Attendees:
Cllr John Hart, DCC (Chair)
Richard Sheard, South Hams and West Devon Councils (representing District Councils)
Diana Crump, representing the Voluntary and Community Sector
Karen Hooper, Dept. of Work and Pensions
Carol Thresher, Devon JobCentre Plus (DWP)
Paul O’Sullivan, NEW (north east west) Clinical Commissioning Group
Phil Norrey, DCC
Ryan Doyle, Devon and Cornwall Police
(Cllr Barry Parsons, Devon County Council cabinet member, attending in support of item 3)
(Caroline Rae, DCC)
(Holly Whitbread, Exeter University student, shadowing John Hart, observer)
Apologies: Alan Burrows, Environment Agency
Paul Davies, Devon and Cornwall Police
Cllr Jeremy Christophers, representing District Leaders.
1. Welcome. John Hart led introductions. This was the last meeting for both Karen Hooper and
Richard Sheard; they were both thanked for their work for and personal commitment to the
Devon Strategic Partnership over many years. Carol Thresher, Integrated District Operations
Manager for Devon Jobcentre Plus (DWP) was welcomed as Karen’s replacement on the
Board.
2. Minutes of last meeting. The minutes were accepted. There were no matters arising not on
the agenda.
3. Devon Local
a. Richard Sheard presented his paper, which was tabled at the meeting. This agenda item
was supported by Cllr Barry Parsons.
Report to DSP Board
DSP - December
- 13 February 2014.doc2013 Proposals.doc
b. Since the last meeting, Richard had held meetings with Devon County Council officers,
with Devon District Forum (District Councils CExs and Leaders), and with the DSP Task
and Finish Group. There was positive feedback from each meeting, as well as a
recognition of barriers to be overcome:
i. That cultural change was more important than structures
ii. Uncertainty as to whether fundamental change would happen
iii. Capacity issues – were there enough people championing the cause?
iv. Short term funding issues causing tension with the long term aim for change.
c. It was proposed that alongside the actions in the proposal,
i. that Richard Sheard and Cllr Barry Parsons write to statutory partners with an
offer to meet to talk through proposals and invite them to help shape proposals.
This includes seeking ‘buy in’ from District Council CExs to the proposals
ii. that the principle of working at the lowest appropriate level of decision making is
adopted
iii. that consideration is given to a bid to DCLG’s forthcoming Transformation Grant,
details of which are expected to be released at the end of March.
d. It was agreed that maintaining momentum was important,
i. that Richard Sheard and Barry Parsons should talk to partners on behalf of the
Board;
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
ii. that they should liaise with Paul O’Sullivan about linking with GP membership
fora in the 3 CCG localities;
iii. that talking to super-clusters of parishes when they meet may be helpful; and
iv. that DWP should be invited to sit on the Task and Finish Group.
Outcomes. Following the paper presented at the last meeting, and the limited response to
the approach to partners that followed it, the board discussed the next steps. It was agreed
that there would be benefit in seeing if there could be alignment between partners. Diana
Crump stated there was a real enthusiasm amongst Voluntary and Community Sector
colleagues for a clear strategic direction. Phil Norrey shared verbally the latest version of
high level priorities Devon County Council were considering; it was agreed to share these,
even though they were draft, and see how partners were thinking, and whether partners
could dovetail priorities. It was agreed that Richard Sheard and Barry Parsons would
approach this topic in their conversations as part of Devon Local.
Terms of Reference The proposed changes to the Terms of Reference were agreed; in
addition it was agreed to invite representation from Devon Association of Local Councils to
join the Board; to change ‘senior Health rep’ to ‘senior CCG rep’; and to add an additional
clause to the role of the Board as follows: ‘Help to shape how strategic partners work
together at local level’.
Community Impact Fund. A verbal update was provided to the Board; it is still hoped to
develop a Community Impact Fund, and it has been agreed in principle by District Councils,
and will go to Devon County Council Cabinet in March. However, it is not yet finalised or
assured.
AOB
a. The Board considered whether there was anything to be considered at this Board
regarding recent floods and storm damage; it was felt that agencies had generally
worked very well together during the crisis, but that the recovery phase would be key,
and this would largely happen at community level. Phil Norrey was to chair an
overarching strategic peninsula recovery group. Diana Crump stated that a BSL video
about what to do in emergencies, commissioned by Devon, had gone viral as it was
probably unique in Britain.
b. The Devon Digital Strategy was discussed and endorsed
DONM
a. DSP workshop Friday 9th June 2014 9.30 a.m. -1.00p.m
b. DSP Board Meeting Friday 18th July 2014 2.00p.m.
(all meetings at County Hall Exeter, exact room to be advised)
ITEM
3d
4
5
ACTIONS
1. that Richard Sheard and Barry Parsons
should talk to partners on behalf of the
Board;
2. that they should liaise with Paul
O’Sullivan about linking with GP
membership fora in the 3 CCG localities;
3. that talking to super-clusters of parishes
when they meet may be helpful; and
4. that DWP should be invited to sit on the
Task and Finish Group.
WHO
Richard Sheard ; Cllr
Barry Parsons
Richard Sheard and Barry Parsons would
approach the topic of outcomes in their
conversations as part of Devon Local.
Additional members to be invited to join the
Board; changes as agreed to be made and
final Terms of Reference to be circulated
Richard Sheard ; Cllr
Barry Parsons
Caroline
Caroline