Advisory Board – Minutes of Meeting

Date: Friday 5th May 2017Venue:The Roundabout Centre

Date Minutes Agreed :
Signed:
Print Name:
Organisation:

Present:

Claire RobertsChildren’s Centre Manager

Penny GeraghtyChildren’s Centre Administrator

Amber FoxChildren’s Centre Family Worker

Steven TiktinChair of School Governors

Jo BuckiSchool Governor

Pam SkinnerChildren’s Centre Volunteer

Natalie DickmanEarly Help Team Locality

Coordinator

Annette MartinDinky Dragons Manager

Marea RawlingsHead Teacher St. George’s

Lower School

Gina CroxfordVoluntary Community Action

Katie GreySpecial Needs Group member

Alison BodsworthGateway Housing

Michael HoweFamilies First

Action Required
1. / Welcome & Apologies; Introductions
  • Claire Robertswelcomed everyone to the meeting and all present introduced themselves. Claire explained that David Wood (Chair) couldn’t attend and there hadn’t been time to appoint a new chair for the meeting. Therefore, unless there were any objections, she would chair the meeting in his absence. This was agreed.
  • Apologies were noted.

2. / Matters arising from previous meeting
  • The minutes were agreed by all present.
Action points from last meeting:
  • CRwill look into the report for the GEG Group.
  • Pam Skinner asked if we had a good representation of the community within the Advisory Board. CR stated we need an overhaul as to who is invited, i.e. faith groups, the library service, etc.
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3. / Leadership & Governance
Manager’s Report: Q3
Claire presented a synopsis of her Manager’s report (please see attached) and the following points were raised from it:
  • There is no data for Q4 due to the conversion to the new CONNECT PLUS system.
  • Pam asked if the LSOA had changed. Sandhills is now included, however, we do not get CBC funding for this area as they use the 2011 census information to calculate it and Sandhills was not built in 2011.
  • Michael Howe asked how we can engage with Sandhills residents as the Community Centre has been closed. Gina Croxford stated that the CVA have been working hard to support residents during the closure. Astral Park is expensive to hire and the Parent’s and Tots there has also closed due to problems with Aldwyke Housing, the building is inadequate and costs too much to hire. CR to meet with Gina Croxford to discuss partnership opportunities in accessing the Sandhills residents. CR will also contact Connor Johnson, the Baptist Minister for the area.
  • CR will look into a member of the Children’s Centre Team to reintroduce a Parent Forum Group.
  • The Children’s Centre are introducing a nurture group, from referrals we receive, for women who find it difficult to attend our universal groups. It will be a very supportive and relaxed group.
  • Michael Howe asked how Early Years Teacher – Sarah Flint is supporting us. He suggested that we need to put more of our time into liaising with settings to keep engagements for those children once they attend nurseries, etc. CR explained about how Sarah’s role has changed and therefore wouldn’t be able to take over the link worker role.
  • CR gave the meeting Emily Winch’s report. (Please see attached).
  • Michelle Farrish will advise Claire regarding the Weaning Workshops and when they will start.
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5. / Information sharing from partner/Networking
Jo Bucki & Katie Grey: would like to advertise an Opportunity Group they are establishing for children with additional needs and their parents and siblings within the Leighton Buzzard area. It is called Freddie and Friends and is held on a Monday and Wednesday 10:00-11:30 at the Bassett Road Clinic.
Gina Croxford (CVA): Fed back regarding CVA workshops in Leighton Buzzard Library including employability courses. There is also the Volunteer Service, which the Children’s Centre has made use of. A member of CVA staff has been down to one of our Universal Sessions explaining about the Volunteer service to parents who attended. The Children’s Centre will continue to display information about the CVA on an Employment and Training noticeboard at the Roundabout Centre.
Alison Bodsworth (Gateway Housing): Gate Way Housing are at Bossard House on a Friday morning. She advised that the foot fall has not been great at their drop-ins.
Natalie Dickman: Explained about a directory of community groups she is devising, for Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding area. There will be the facility to send emails to these groups to let people know about what services are going on. There will be a Locality Meeting on Wednesday 24th May 9:30-11:00.
6. / Any other Business
No other items were discussed.
8. / Date and venue for next meetings:
Friday 28th July 2017 – 9:30 at The Roundabout Centre
Actions Required - to be reviewed at next meeting / Person responsible / Date completed
1 / Claire will look further into the Great Expectations Group / CR
2 / Claire and Gina Croxford to arrange a meeting / CR & GC
3 / Re-introduce Parent Forum Group / CR
4 / Michelle Farrish to advise Claire regarding Weaning Workshops / MF
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