AT A MEETING of the HAVANT AREA COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at WACA Community Centre, 10 Maurepas, Waterlooville on Thursday, 18 November 2004

PRESENT

Councillors: Jenny Wride (Chairman); I.F.E. Beagley; E.F. Gale, MBE; D. Gillett;

R.C. McIntosh; Mrs. V. Steel.

Councillor Mrs. G. Blackett - Havant Borough Council.

Mrs. S. Spencer - Havant Council of Community Services.

P. Turnbull - Havant Residents Association.

Also in attendance: Rev. R. Hines - Vice-Chairman, Havant Local Strategic Partnership.

8 DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed..

The following personal interests were declared:

Councillor Jenny Wride in relation to the grant application from Bedhampton Social Hall Association.

Councillor Mrs. Blackett and Mrs. Spencer in relation to the grant application from Bedhampton Community Allotment Project.

Councillor Gillett in relation to the grant application for Southleigh Youth Recreation and Community Hall.

9 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 29 September, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minute No. 4 - Access to the Countryside

The Chief Executive reported that Havant Borough Council was now in the process of setting up of a Scrutiny Group to look at Broadmarsh Coastal Path and sought County Council involvement.

10 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN HAVANT

(a) Grants Criteria

The Chief Executive presented a report setting out the guidelines for the awarding of financial assistances for community projects in Havant (Item 3(a) in the Minute Book). Members were concerned that the draft guidelines referred to the current electoral divisions and serving county Councillors in Havant without reference to any possible future changes. The Chief Executive confirmed that this would be updated immediately after the County Council elections in May 2005.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to amendments being made to the Havant Electoral Divisions and Standing County Councillors as appropriate, the guidelines be approved.


(b) Applications for Financial Assistance for Community Projects

The Chief Executive presented a schedule of applications for financial assistance for community projects in Havant (Item 3(b) in the Minute Book).


RESOLVED:

That the following grants be made:


(i) Great Copse Conservation Group, Leigh Park £600

(ii) Ramsdale Environmental Group, Leigh Park £525

(iii) Bedhampton Social Hall Association - additional car parking £3,500

(iv) Bedhampton Social Hal Association - improvements to kitchen facilities £4,445

(v) Bedhampton Methodist Playgroup - £450

(vi) Wakefords Copse Volunteer Group - £3,590

(vii) Bedhampton Community Allotment Project £1,650

(viii) Southleigh Youth Recreation and Community Hall £3,500

(ix) Havant Borough Talking News £5,000

Note:

The Committee then adjourned until 7pm when presentations on services for older people, children and families were made.

11 INTRODUCTION BY CHAIRMAN

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Committee Members. She explained that the Area Committee was part of the County Council's approach to involving local residents in decision making in the community and enabling local communities to have a greater voice and for the County Council to share information about its services. The Havant Community Strategy had now been agreed and would be launched in January 2005. She announced the grants for financial assistance for community projects that had been agreed earlier. Representatives of those groups that had received grants thanked the Committee.

12 SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Tony Warnes, Lead Service Manager for Social Services Havant and Petersfield area gave a presentation on the services provided for older people. He outlined the priorities for the service; the process of achievement; current activities, future developments and strategic priorities and development. Questions were asked about the duplication of services in health and social services on therapy services. He said that such duplication would shortly come to an end as the issue was being jointly looked at and a single point of access to the service was being developed to identify which therapist would best meet the needs of the individual. On the question of what proportion of those over 65 who came in contact with the service he said that there were about 1200 people at any one time.

13 SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Maureen Edwards, Social Services Service Manager Family Support for South East Hampshire outlined the work of the service across the County and highlighted the district services in the Havant area and the wider county services. She stressed the importance of close working relationships with partner agencies which included health, education, child and adolescent mental health services and voluntary organisations and gave details of the pressures on the service.

Mike Earls, Social Services Family Placement Team Manager for South East Hampshire explained the role of the Family Placement Service, the regulations it operates under, the various types of care provided and training given. He said that the service was always in need of foster carers and gave details of how anybody interests in becoming a foster carer could contact the service. Questions were asked about the criteria for becoming a foster carer and on adoption. He said that the service was flexible and open about who could become a foster carer, the process for adoption could be very long, in-depth and obtrusive but this was necessary to ensure that children were correctly placed.

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