WA Joint Steering Committee
Monday 28 April 2014
3:30pm – 5:00pm (AEST)
1:30pm – 3:00pm (AWST)
Chairs: Rebecca Cross (Deputy Secretary – Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet)
Tom Leeming (Executive Director – WA Department of Premier and Cabinet)
Members: Tom Leeming , Felicity Hand, Marita Walker, Peter Edwards, Robyn Massey for Ron Chalmers, Helen McDevitt for Rebecca Cross, Secretariat: Claire Harding
Apologies: Rebecca Cross, Ron Chalmers, Tim Marney, Grant Avery
Observers: Julie Yeend, Anne Skordis, Nick Hartland
MINUTES
Item / Objective/s / Papers1. Opening and welcome / Welcome / Nil
The meeting was convened and Joint Steering Committee (JSC) members welcomed by Co-Chair Tom Leeming. Apologies noted.
2. Terms of Reference / Overview of ToR
Agree protocol for proxy membership / Joint Steering Committee ToR
Members discussed the JSC quarterly reporting requirements and requested a reporting timeline be drafted.
Members AGREED:
· Only those identified in the ToR are officially meeting members and proxy membership should be kept to a minimum.
· Standard agenda items to include:
1. Update from trial sites.
2. Independent evaluation.
3. Funding flow and arrangements.
4. Communications and engagement.
5. Any other business.
Action:
DSC to capture reporting requirements and timelines, for circulation to JSC members.
3. Funding Governance arrangements / Development of agreed funding arrangements for WA trial sites / WA Disability Reform Governance Structure
· DSS NOTED progress on the WA Cash and In-kind Schedules, Actuary arrangements and Data Sharing MOU.
4. WA Independent Evaluation / Update on evaluation tender / Evaluation Timeline Update
WA Independent Evaluation ToR
DSC NOTED:
· The WA Independent Evaluation Tender was released on 3 April and a mandatory tender briefing held at the DSC on 7 April 2014. The briefing received strong market interest with 17 respondents attending.
· The tender contract for the WA independent evaluator closes on 28 April 2014.
Members discussed the differences between the two models and AGREED the evaluator/s would need to acknowledge and take account of some of the key differences and challenges between the two models, so that genuine comparisons can be made and there are no misconceptions that this is a homogenous population.
Members requested that the appointed evaluator/s present an overview of the evaluation methodology at the next JSC meeting, if appointment occurs within the required timeframe.
Action:
DSC and NDIA to discuss NDIA participation on the evaluation tender panel out-of-session.
Evaluator/s to present at next JSC meeting if appointment occurs within the required timeframe.
5. Communications and Engagement / Discuss joint communications and engagement strategy / Communications and Engagement Framework and Protocols
The Communications and Engagement Framework and Protocols developed and agreed to between NDIA, the Commonwealth and the DSC was tabled.
Members NOTED the potential for confusion which could result from independent messaging.
Action:
DSS to identify a DSS communications contact to connect with the WA DSC.
DSS to propose amendments to the existing Communications and Engagement Framework and Protocols documents if required.
6. Site Readiness / Update from NDIA and DSC on site readiness / Verbal update
NDIA NOTED (for the Perth Hills trial site):
· Recruitment is currently occurring, with further interviews to take place next week.
· Training will be conducted mid-June 2014.
· A new office will be ready to open by 1 July 2014.
· Work is continuing on pricing and quality assurance framework.
· NDIA staff will be traveling to Perth end of May 2014 to meet with mainstream agencies.
· Transition / intake arrangements are currently one of the most pressing issues.
DSC NOTED (for the Lower South West trial site):
· Recruitment is progressing smoothly, including the appointment of staff with mental health expertise to accommodate the inclusion of people with psychosocial disability who will be included from trial commencement.
· Additional disability sector organisations have been endorsed to enable them to provide supports and services in the Lower South West from 1 July 2014.
· Transition arrangements are on track to be finalised by the first week of May 2014.
· The WA NDIS My Way Reference Group has been established and is meeting on a monthly basis. The LSW Local Advisory Group is due to commence meeting in approximately one month.
· Cash and In-Kind Schedules are still being discussed and have proved challenging.
7. Other business / Agree next meeting date
Agree mailing lists for agendas / meeting material / Nil
Members AGREED that the next meeting would take place towards the end of June 2014, following the appointment of the evaluator/s.
Action:
DSC to schedule next meeting for late June 2014.
File path: w:\ndis\governance\joint steering committee\minutes\joint steering committee minutes - 28april2014.docx
1 | Page