Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 31 October 2017

The notes of the meeting of the PDAG held on 31 October were received.

Update on launch of the Council’s new Voluntary Sector Support Service following the cessation of the grant to Horsham and Mid Sussex Voluntary Action.  An email regarding new Council support to the voluntary sector was sent to all Councillors on 28 March

The Community Development Officer updated the group on the Council’s new Voluntary Sector Support Service.  The Council had taken on this role instead of the Community Voluntary Service and it had been launched on 3 April with the introduction of the Voluntary Sector Support internet portal.  The service was designed to support voluntary, community group or social enterprise within the district, as well as members of the public interested in volunteering. 

The Community Development Officer gave a presentation outlining the help available to Voluntary Sector groups through the portal which gave easy access to support, including: information resources; funding; training; volunteering; venue hire; and other council services.  There were over 700 groups across the district and the service would encourage communication between organisations.  A list of the different groups within each Parish would be available in due course.  An officer group had been set up to oversee and monitor the performance of the service.

The Community Development Team had also launched a fortnightly e-newsletter that had attracted 150 subscribers in less than a week.

The Cabinet Member requested that all Members be re-sent an email inviting them to subscribe to the Voluntary Sector e-newsletter.  It was noted that Parish and Neighbourhood Council clerks had also been invited to subscribe.

Members noted the successful launch of the portal and e-newsletter, and it was suggested that Members could encourage local groups to engage with the service.

The Council currently manages three Neighbourhood Warden Schemes in: Ashington; Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding; and Pulborough.   The PDAG will receive an update on progressing a two-year pilot scheme to extend the Neighbourhood Warden Scheme to other Parish and Neighbourhood Council wards 

The Health & Wellbeing/Community Safety Manager updated Members on progress that had been made in expanding the Neighbourhood Warden Schemes across the District. Billingshurst Parish would be recruiting shortly with a view to introducing a Warden Scheme in a few weeks.  The Neighbourhood Councils had also agreed to introduce a Ward Scheme for Horsham Town and this was being progressed.  Storrington Parish were carrying out a public consultation to gauge interest. Members were also updated on how the existing schemes were working in their communities.

The Head of Community & Culture agreed to ensure that all relevant Parishes were aware of changes that were being made to the financial structure of the scheme.

The group noted the progress on expanding the scheme and the Chairman thanked officers for their work.

The PDAG will be updated, including some case studies, on the work of the Health and Wellbeing Hub 

The Health & Wellbeing/Community Development Officer gave an update on the performance of the Health and Wellbeing Hub, including two case studies.  There had been approximately 800 referrals last year, nearly half of which were made by GPs. 

Members noted the breakdown of users of the Hub; 73% had been female and over a quarter of them were between the ages of 40 and 54.  There had been high customer satisfaction and 89% said they had either achieved or made steps towards achieving their original goals.  The programme’s emphasis was on prevention through changing diet and activity levels.  The pre-diabetes programme had proved successful in reversing type 2 diabetes in some cases.

Members discussed publicity and it was acknowledged that publicity for the service was as good as could be expected with the resources available.

Members were advised that customers came from across the district.  A breakdown of where they had come from would be made available to the group.

The Cabinet Member thanked officers for the positive work of the Health and Wellbeing Hub. 

Officer presentation on social prescribing, including the potential benefits to residents

The Head of Community & Culture advised Members that Social Prescribing sought to address the issue of patients who went to their GPs but did not require clinical treatment.  GPs found that approximately 20% of patients would benefit from referral to other services like the Wellbeing Hub, Health Walks and other services such as friendship services to tackle cases of social isolation or Citizens Advice Bureau for patients where the root cause of health issues was related to debt.

Social Prescribing was already being used in parts of Adur and Worthing, and Pulborough and Henfield Medical Centre were piloting schemes.

It was noted that Social Prescribing was already taking place, for instance with referrals to the Wellbeing Hub and the work of Neighbourhood Wardens.  There was potential to formalise and expand its use although there were cost implications.

The Head of Community & Culture would circulate a paper on Social Prescribing to members of the group.  

Members discussed the potential role of SSAFA, the charity for ex-servicemen, and the Community Development Officer agreed to include an article about SSAFA in a future Voluntary Support Service e-newsletter.

Following receipt of CCG letter regarding Kilnwood and North Horsham developments

The Director of Community Services updated Members on discussions with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).  Progress was being made and there was more clarity regarding the CCG’s proposals for GP services for future residents of the Kilnwood Vale and North Horsham developments. 

There are no items on the current Forward Plan for the Community and Wellbeing Portfolio

There were no items for the Community and Wellbeing Portfolio on the current Forward Plan.