Minutes

Eastern Locality Forum

Tuesday 6th October 2015, 5.30 p.m. at Thornaby Academy.

Members:
Cllr Tracey Stott (TS) – Chair, Cllr Sonia Bailey (SB) – Local Ward Councillor, Cllr Paul Rowling, Nicola Garett (NG) – Five Lamps, Kerry Anderson (KA) – SBC and Maryssa O’Connor (MO) – Thornaby Academy
*Members are representing their nominating body.
Advisors:
Sophie Haste (SH), - SBC
Apologies:
Members: Tom Bowman – Ingleby Barwick Town Council, Simon Feasey – Bader Primary School, Pat Large – Thornaby Town Council
Advisors/ Observers:
ITEM/ISSUE / DOI / ACTION
/
1.  Welcome, Introductions and Apologies
Members were welcomed to the meeting. Apologies were noted. / Noted
2. Declarations of Interest
None
3. Minutes from Previous Meeting on 28th July 2015
Minutes were agreed.
4. Tour of Thornaby Academy
Thornaby Academy aims to provide an exciting and inspirational environment for young people to learn and succeed. The staff at the Academy work closely as a team to support and guide young people as they experience a diverse and challenging curriculum which will provide them with every opportunity to achieve their personal best.
Students at Thornaby Academy are at the centre of a community which includes the support of the lead sponsor, Teesside University and co-sponsors, Stockton Sixth Form College, Stockton Riverside College and Stockton Borough Council.
Together the sponsors and the Academy maintain five core values:
·  To seek excellence and the achievement of the highest educational standards for all students.
·  To provide opportunity and raise students’ aspirations.
·  To gain respect and achieve inclusivity for all members of the Academy community.
·  To empower students as learners and teachers as professionals.
·  To work in partnership with local schools and organisations.
Maryssa O’Connor provided a tour of the building and answered questions from the Forum.
5. Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme
Breastfeeding is a priority in Stockton’s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Stockton has low breastfeeding rates in comparison to national figures
The breastfeeding welcome scheme is a part of a multifaceted/multiagency approach to increasing breastfeeding rates. Surveys tell us that over 85%of adults are happy for women to breastfeed in public. However, 63% of breastfeeding mothers report receiving unsupportive comments or behavior while feeding in a public place.
Mothers report finding it hard to know where they are welcome to feed without embarrassment. Since October 2010, legislation protects breastfeeding in public. (Equality Act) It is unlawful to ask a breastfeeding mum to stop. Asking her to move elsewhere to feed is the same as asking her to stop. For venues to become registered on the NCT website as a Breastfeeding Welcome Venue, they must Ensure that the following checklist is in place:
1.  Babies can be breastfed in any public area of your premises.
2.  Adopt the breastfeeding sample policy as a minimum standard.
3.  Staff are aware of how to implement the policy.
4.  Display the welcome sticker and charter.
5.  Understand that some women prefer privacy, do all you can to support this.
The NCT website has a register of Breastfeeding Friendly Venues and there were none from the Stockton area registered. Breastfeeding Welcome packs are available from Sophie Haste. Venues must display the Breastfeeding Welcome sticker and along with ensuring all staff have read and understood the policy and display. Members are asked to consider volunteering their time to carry out some work in Thornaby Town Centre to get local businesses signed up. / Noted
NG from Five Lamps agreed to issue packs to new business start ups that may be eligible.
6. Task and Finish Group Update
a. Fuel Poverty
Work has been underway to identify residents with Prepaid metres and to identify any support needs to enable them switch to a cheaper tariff and move to a direct debit. Throughout the month of September Stockton Council’s Housing Benefit hotline has been asking callers if they have a prepayment metre and if they would like their details to be passed on. Citizen Advice Bureau have been asking clients in their waiting room and Five Lamps have also been asking the question of their callers. The information gathered will be mapped to identify any hotspot or cluster areas. It is then hoped that targeted work can take place within these areas and with individuals. A map and number of people identified within the Eastern Locality Forum will be provided at the next meeting.
b. Free Nursery Places for 2 year olds
Work is ongoing with SBC and Riverbank Children Centre to arrange several events to target those families which are eligible but not taking up the free child care places in Mandale and Victoria.
c. Breast Feeding Welcome Scheme
Breast feeding welcome packs are available from SH if members would like any. It is hoped that some targeted work could be carried out in the Town Centre. Contact will be made with the owners of Teesside Retail Park to see if they can assist with promoting the scheme. / Noted
Noted
Noted
7. Action Plan
This item will be discussed at the next meeting and members will be asked to look at priorities for next year. / Noted
8. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Tuesday 1st December 2015, 4.30 p.m. at Bannatynes Gym / Noted

3

DOI – Declaration of Interest

http://www.stockton.gov.uk/renaissance/areapartnerships/easternareapartnership/