2010.03.03/01

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Kingston’s Local Involvement Network

Steering Group

Minutes of the Meeting of the Kingston’s LINk Steering Group
held on Wednesday 3rd February 2010, 10.00 am – 12.00 Noon
in Kingston’s LINk office.

Present:

Steering Group Members
John Azah(JA)
Sandra Berry(SB)
Chuyuen Corfield(CC)
Theo Harris(TH)
Helen Hutson(HH)
Rashid Laher(RL)
Alan Percival(AP)
Douglas Reynolds(DR)
Ofra Stone(OS)
Raymond Stonehill(RS)
Monika Wolff (MW)
Joseph Xavier(JX) / Kingston Voluntary Action
(the Host)
Hilary Garner – Chair(HG)
Maria Tunmer(MT)
Staff in attendance
Susie Masters(SM)
Debra McCarthy(DM)
ITEM / ACTION
1. / Welcome and Introductions
HG informed the meeting that Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) has taken over as Host of Kingston’s LINk in October 2009. During this time KVA has been working very closely with an Interim Steering Group and getting on with the work.
All those present introduced themselves.
2. / Apologies for absence
There were no apologies.
3. / Secretariat
HG introduced Debra McCarthy as Kingston’s LINk Administrative Assistant.
4. / Memorandum of Understanding
HG informed the meeting that LINks are truly independent and have a unique relationship with their Host organisations. As such a Memorandum of Understanding is required to establish the formal protocols for working between KVA and Kingston’s LINk and he stressed that it is important to get the document right.
A draft Memorandum of Understanding was distributed to the group. HG explained that the document was drawn upin the format of the Compact for Health between Kingston PCT and KVA on behalf of the Voluntary Sector, setting out agreed undertakings of both parties.
(MT)went on to explain that she had looked at several other examples of LINk guidelines, in particular Hammersmith & Fulham and Richmond LINks,alsosome of the previous LINk work carried out in Kingston.
A small working group from both parties is to carry this work forward. (see Item 7a)
5. / Public Meeting held on 17th December 2009
a) Notes of the Meeting
Kingston’s LINk was re-launched on 17 December 2009 with a Public Meeting which took place in the Friends Meeting House in Kingston.A discussion took place on the Draft Minutes of the meeting, detailing amendmentsto be made. The minutes were then agreed by the Steering Group and signed off by HG. They will be circulated and put on Kingston’s LINk website.
b) Terms of Reference
Agreement was reached that the content of Appendix A in the Terms of Reference should be updated, with reference to the new titles of organisations and to replace the term “disabled” with “disabled people”.
Reference was made to part 14 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act section 221 which was produced at the meeting by AP. This legislation governs all LINk activities and a reference to thisshould be included in the Terms of Reference.
Discussion took place on item 6 (g) relating to bankruptcy and that Steering Group members would cease to hold office if he or she has been legally determined bankrupt. It was agreed not to include this item in the Terms of Reference unless the Steering Group need to raise funds in the future when it could be looked at again.
The Steering Group agreed the amendments to the Terms of Reference and HG signed them off subject to the changes. / DM
MT
DM
6. / Work Plans
There was an analysis of the returned yellow forms showingissues previously identified and approved by LINk members. HG led a discussion on the various issues; this led to the Steering Group identifying working groups for each of these with a lead person for each group to take the work forward. (SeePlanning Structure: Appendix).
It was agreed how essential it will be to gather the right information and a mechanism be set up to communicate feedback and for reports from meetings attended by Steering Group members to the Host and visa versa.
Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks will need to be undertaken for Steering Group members carrying out specific and necessary visits which involve contact with vulnerable people.
It was agreed that the ground floor meeting room space in the LINk office will be available by prior arrangement for Kingston’s LINk members. The space can be utilised for meetings, research or library functions whilst support staff are present. / DM
ALL
MT
ALL
7. / Policies and Procedures
The following Policies and Procedures were agreed as priorities and sub-groups were established as follows:
a) Memorandum of Understanding
Hilary Garner, Maria Tunmer, Sandra Berry and Theo Harris.
b) Other Governance documents It was agreed that a small working group should look at developing other policies and procedures, initiallypolicies for the Code of Conduct; Equality and Diversity and Expenses
Sandra Berry, Helen Hutson, Theo Harris, Monika Wolff and Rashid Laher. / HG, MT, SB, TH
8. / LINk Representation on Statutory Bodies
MT informed the group that she has written to David Smith, Chief Executive, NHS Kingston and Simon Pearce, RBK Head of Community Care Services and the Chief Executive of Kingston Hospital to enquire about LINk representation on the various boards and committees. Both David Smith and Simon Pearce had replied and welcomed involvement from interested members. David Smith had said thatAnna Watson is currently attending NHS Kingston Board meetings as a LINk representative and she would be pleased to continue. He asked if we could confirm this. The Steering Group agreed that Anna should continue in this role.
The Health Overview Panel is an important boardthat requires LINk representation and the Chair will represent Kingston’s LINk on the panel itself.The Steering Group would need identify other relevant boards for LINk involvement and then match the appropriate person to attend meetings.
Discussion took place on how young people could be involved and an obvious choice would be to target KingstonUniversity.
It was suggested that if Trades Unions and Trades Councils were not on the current database for Kingston’s LINk they need to be included. / MT
All
DM
SM
9. / Skills Audit and Training
It was agreed that induction training sessions be available for all Steering Group Members, hours and dates to be agreed. / MT
10. / Co-option of Steering Group Members
It was agreed that Patricia Allwright and Anna Watson should beco-opted onto the Steering Group. / SM
MT
11. / Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Steering Group Members voted and elected Sandra Berry as Chair and Theo Harris as Vice Chair and were congratulated by the Steering Group and Host.
Dates of future meetings
Dates of future meetings are to be arranged

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2010.03.03/01

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