Halton
Strategic Partnership Board – 13th October 2004
Transport
issues
Phil Cornthwaite
from Halton Borough Council presented a report about transport issues in the
light of the recent Government white paper and the current consultation about
the local transport plan.
The need for
quality provision of local transport was discussed, and it was noted that the
report brings up wider issues about ways of working and the importance of
embracing new technologies. Both these factors have an impact on transport
choices and the accessibility of opportunities for local people.
The Board
endorsed the approach being taken and the establishment of themed consultation
groups through the Specialist Strategic Partnerships.
Children’s
Fund presentation
Pauline Ruth gave
a presentation about the work of Halton Children’s Fund, which outlined its
background, themes and the wide range of projects taking place in the area.
Partnership
work programme
The Board was
presented with suggested themes for the Partnership’s work programme over the
next two years. The eight proposed themes were approved, and it was agreed that
the first three to be tackled will be branding, pooled budgets, and
neighbourhood working.
Board
awayday
This year’s
second Board awayday is scheduled for the 3rd November at the Halton
Stadium. A draft agenda for the day was presented and approved, and will see
members tackling the issues of community engagement, branding, sustainability,
and second generation local public service agreements.
Policing
– building safer communities together
The results of a
Home Office consultation were presented to the Board, covering a range of areas
including accountability of policing, modernising the police service,
operational effectiveness and increasing community engagement. Partners were
invited to submit their comments to the Partnership support team.
The full document
can be found by going to: www.policereform.gov.uk/docs/policing_bsct.html
Roll
forward of action plans
The first drafts
of Specialist Strategic Partnership action plans are being worked on and will
be available during November.
Updates
from Partnerships
The Board
received reports from the Community Empowerment Network and the Specialist
Strategic Partnerships. Events of note since the last Board meeting included:
- The Kingsway Centre was officially
opened by the Countess of Wessex on 14th September
- The Children Bill will become an Act
shortly and all partners are addressing the implications - visioning days
have recently been held with the Children and Young People’s Strategic
Partnership
- The POPO (Prolific and Other Priority
Offenders) scheme has been introduced and has seen excellent partnership
working taking place between a number of agencies
Date of next
meeting – 8th December