COMPACT IMPLEMENTATION GROUP
Notes of meeting held on: Wednesday 20th December 2011. CR6 Civic Centre
Present:
Alan Patchett (AP) Sunderland Community Network
Jessica May (JM) Sunderland Partnership (SP) – Chair
Andrew Copland (AC) Sunderland Partnership
Graham Burt (GB) Sunderland City Council
Sean Halliday (SH) SOTW NHS
Gillian McDonough (GMcD) VCA Sunderland
Sarah Woodhouse (SW) Sunderland City Council, Diversity & Inclusion
David Curtis (DC) Volunteer Centre Sunderland
Graham Watson Northumbria Police (check spelling)
Stephanie Blayney Sunderland City Council
Apologies: Check apologies
Carol Harries City Hospitals Sunderland
Ailsa Martin Sunderland Community Network (SCN)
Peter Harrison Gentoo
Shaun Kelly Tyne and Wear Fire Services
Gordon Bell Sunderland City Council
Action
1. /Welcome & Apologies
JM thanked everybody present for attending and welcomed them to the meeting.2. / Council Restructure and Changes in Responsibility
JM noted that prior to the Council’s restructure the Community Development Team had supported the Compact on a day to day and strategic basis. Following the restructure Sunderland Partnership would be supporting Compact on a day to day and operational basis with strategic policy support coming from Strategy, Policy and Performance Management.
JM noted that whilst there had been organisational changes the Council’s and Sunderland Partnership’s commitment to a successful and effective Compact remained in place.
JM asked if everybody present was happy for her to Chair this meeting. There was agreement that JM should continue to Chair.
3. / Minutes of Previous Meeting and Matters Arising
JM noted that the last meeting had not been quorate and that not everybody present today was at the meeting in April, however, it might be useful to review the notes for completeness, accuracy and matters arising
· It was noted that Tracy Morgan was now on maternity leave
· It was noted that the Third Sector Commissioning Group had not be held since the meeting in April; Sean Halliday would provide an update at the next meeting.
· Communications Plan: it was noted that a strategy had been completed but no action plan had been developed. AC would discuss with Yvonne Ewington, Partnership Engagement officer and action as appropriate. GMcD noted that she had been involved previously and was happy to continue offering support. / SH
AC
4. / Moving Forward
Areas for Prioritization
JM asked those present to begin a discussion about the present status of the Compact and what changes if any are required. SB added that she would appreciate any feedback on progress or otherwise with the Compact.
AP began by saying that he felt that the Compact had ground to a halt and that the committment that the Compact will be part of all that the partners do was tenuous. AP felt it was very hard for organisations in the present context to be Compact compliant and that it needed to be easier to comply.
GB added that he felt that the Council was compliant but it was uncertain at this time if the changes in personnel would assist or hinder continued compliance. SW said that smaller organizations had difficulty holding on to knowledge as staff turnover was higher. It was also noticeable that Compact compliance was not celebrated. GMcD felt that the total number of organizations that were interested in registering as Compact compliant had probably been achieved. Consideration should be given to what resources were available to keep the concept alive and to maximise the opportunities for celebration and communication e.g. Compact Week.
SH felt that given the resource constraints that the bar for Compact should be kept quite low locally so that targets and outcomes were achievable and a record of success built. It would also be important to meet every two months for the next six months at least.
AP asked if a major change in the management of Compact locally was being considered, JM replied no but agreed with AP that the Compact should be a tool to look outwards and engage/communicate with others. Any change would be one of emphasis.
GB wondered if there were any examples of non-compliance that the CIG could consider and use as a catalyst for raising issues and concerns.
GW said that the relationship between the Police and Compact was positive at an organisational level as it wished to engage but it did not have leadership locally nor was their a designated senior manager for Compact compliance. GW felt that the council was very much the initiator of Compact related issues locally.
GB asked how the clinical commissioning groups were getting involved with the Compact. SH responded that he was unaware of the CCGs knowledge of the Compact
In response to GB, AP noted that the recent consultation circulation by the HWBB in regard to Health watch had been non compliant as had the request for information on successful Health and Well being Boards. AC noted that he would investigate and add these to the log. JM added that all partners must try to be compliant and that the log should be part of the CIG agenda. JM asked if it would help if the log was anonymous. GW responded that the process should be open and that to be compliant the log has to register issues between Compact members. It was also noted by the group that there was a potential tension, with members unwilling to raise issues with their potential funders.
DC asked how the Partnership Board could become more Compact aware. JM responded that the there was no Chair at this time but consideration will given to a paper going to the Board in the near future.
SB raised the issue of the equalities code of practice and the need to make progress. SW added that the work on the code of practices across the various groups been based upon building relationships that had taken considerable time to build. Given this it would be important to consider the way forward so that all parties maximised their outcomes in regard to the codes. AC noted that he would add this to the work plan and agree details with SB and SW. / AC
JM
AC
5. / Annual Review of CIG ToR
JM clarified that the CIG would now meet every two months for an hour. In addition a report would go to the SIIG in February regarding the CIG; the report will examine how the SIIG can support the CIG. Consideration of the membership and the possibility of reps from Sunderland City College and the University would be part of a report to the SIIG.
The TOR will be amended to reflect the discussions today and the relationship with the SIIG
Lisa Webb would replace Sarah Woodhouse from the cohesion team.
Dates for future meetings will be circulated, meeting to occur on a Tuesday or Wednesday at the Civic Centre. / AC
AC
SW
AC
6. / Draft Work Plan
The revised work plan will form part of the report at the SIIG in February and a draft will hopefully be circulated to the CIG members ahead of that date.
E learning:
A brief discussion was held about the E-learning module. SB asked how the members would like the licences to be distributed to the Compact members. SB to clarify the number of licenses available and their costs. It was also noted that there was considerable interest from Durham Compact and a wish to purchase the module for their own use. / AC
SB
7. / Update on Implementation Progress from Organizations
There were no updates at this time from those present.
8. / Compact Voice Regional Leader Update
GMcD noted that she was no longer the representative on this group and she had not been replaced. GMcD was not sure if the meeting was still diarised.
GMcD added that she hoped that the planning for this year’s Compact Week would begin early as the opportunity had been missed this year.
SB added that the National Audit Office is reviewing Compact take up by Central Government, review closed on the 18th November, report to be published in early 2012.
9. / SCN Interim Period (Update)
This item to be held over to the next meeting.
9. / Any Other Business
There was no other business
15. /
Date and time of next meeting
To be circulated post meeting. /3