Halton Together – Executive Meeting

11.00 am Wednesday 7^th January 2004

Sefton House, Public Hall Street, Runcorn

Present

Mike Fry

Bill Edwards

Ian Rigby

George Ross

In Attendance

Kath Parkes

Debbie East

Apologies

Ann Turner Culverhouse

Debbie Dalby

1. Notes of Last Meeting

Sefton Community Chest – need 4 representatives. Kath asked if we had heard anything from them. Mike Fry said no. Bill Edwards is already on the panel and said that nobody was elected at the last meeting whilst he was there but he did have to leave early. Kath said she would speak to Emma Scott regarding this.

Website – to be discussed later in the agenda.

Regional meeting for CEN networks – No structure yet. Another meeting has been set up for 15^th January in Preston. Kath will keep everybody informed.

PMF – to be discussed later in the agenda.

Panel – to increase members. Need to look at the whole structure of the panel and the network before we elect any more members.

Diary dates – copies of meeting dates had been sent out.

Visits to other areas – inter regional. Kath spoke to St Helens CVS and he suggested that a member from each panel should sit in on other areas panel meetings. Further details will be advised later.

An inter regional CEN event will be held in Sheffield on 18^th February 2004. 3 members are invited to attend and it was agreed that Mike Fry, Andy Guile and Kath Parkes attend this first event and feedback to network.

TPAS – Michael Gelling was going to give an update on this at the meeting but was unfortunately unable to attend.

These minutes were agreed as a true record.

2. Performance Management Framework

Everybody had a copy of where we were at. Not yet had any feedback from the Panel so assuming everybody is happy with this.

Performance Management Framework needs to be put to the full network meeting in February.

Community Participation Programme – beginnings of the Action Plan. We need to start thinking about this. Need to set up a half day session where we can forward with the Performance Management Framework. This needs to be a priority for the February meeting. Date of 27^th January at 12.00 at HVA was suggested to start work on this.

3. Website - update

This should have been up and running in December but unfortunately Mark was off sick. Kath spoke with Mark earlier this week and some changes have been made and will soon be ready. It is only basic at the moment but when we get more information together we may need to look at outsourcing.

4. Events – Twinning, Arts & Crafts, Spiritual conference (update)

Making good progress on these.

Twinning – nothing has been planned so far.

Spiritual – this will be the first one. Kath has had a couple of meetings so far with 36 members. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 20^th January at 3.00 pm at HVA (all welcome) and the Spiritual Conference will be held on Friday 6^th February 2004 at the Catalyst Museum at 4-7 pm or 6-9 pm (to be confirmed). It will be opened by Chinese dancers and there will be tables set up with food from the different faiths.

Arts event – they have had their first meeting with 17 people at the moment. This will be held at Norton Priory on Sunday 25^th April 2004 and they are calling it “Take Part In Art” and it is being advertised by Norton Priory. Looking at transport at the moment. The next meeting will be held on 21^st January 2004 at 10.00 am at HVA and everybody is welcome to come along.

5. Admin Support for Existing Forums

No problem with this we just need to know what is required and when. Ian explained that he really needs to get funds to get admin support on a regular basis and to help him with costs of meeting rooms etc.

Kath explained that we need to know what forums are up and running so that we can look into help with funds.

It was suggested that we look at using Lloyds TSB as they are a good source of funding.

6. Any Other Business

How to value community developments (training)

A training day for evaluating communities is being staged on the 18^th February in Manchester. Exec will be asked to put their names forward if interested.

Revised Structure

Looking at how we can engage people more and reduce the overlap and duplication. Kath asked everybody to look at the chart she had done and asked them to give their comments. Each theme group to meet maybe every 1-2 months. This structure will be submitted to the Panel.

Representatives for the SSP

Five names were put forward for the two places on the Crime and Safety SSP. The Executive agreed that they would like Bill Edwards and Mike Shepherd as their representatives. Andy Guile should write to the SSP to confirm.

Candidates for the Fundraising Training Course

This was very well received. The form and letter were redone and we now have a lot more interest. We now have 11 people for 10 places. We need to make sure that people who go on this course can commit to the training and the fundraising forum. Successful applicants will be advised and sent details.

Training with Les Birch – “Do you want to be more effective in your organisation”

A programme of courses is being put together to run from March to June with different stages to enable people to join at the appropriate level. Workshops to be run mornings, afternoons and evenings and in Runcorn and Widnes. Need to do flyers and start getting information out to people.

Kath asked if anybody had any other business.

George Ross confirmed that he will be running a course in Murdishaw – dates to be confirmed.

7. Date/Time/Venue of next meeting

Next Executive meeting to discuss PMF is 12.00 pm on Tuesday 27^th January 2004 (lunch starting at 12.00 pm and meeting to start at 12.30 pm until 3.00 pm at Sefton House.

Actions

§ Kath Parkes to contact Emma Scott.

§ Kath Parkes to advise details of visit to St Helens CVS.

§ Kath Parkes to look into using Lloyds TSB as a funder.

§ George Ross to advise details of course in March.

§ Andy Guile to write to Crime and Safety SSP.