Derbyshire Partnership Forum Update February 2010 

This update highlights the key elements of the Derbyshire Partnership Forum meeting held at County Hall, Matlock on 11 December 2009 and other useful partnership information.  Formal minutes of all meetings are available on the website.

Please forward this message to your colleagues and wider networks as appropriate.  Anyone can register to receive this update.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list please email becky.lomas@derbyshire.gov.uk. 

Financial Inclusion Strategy and Credit Union Development
The feasibility study for credit union development in Derbyshire is now underway.  For more details contact Sylvia Green at s.green@derbysrcc.org.uk

Reducing Health Inequalities
Dr David Black reported that the work is being undertaken to prepare a health inequalities strategy for Derbyshire.  This was progressing well with the input of partners and a draft would be available in January 2010.  For more details contact david.black@derbyshirecountypct.nhs.uk

Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) – Click here to view presentation
Beverley Parker from the Audit Commission outlined Derbyshire’s Area Assessment. The focus of the 2010 assessment is likely to be:

-          possible national focus on preparation for an ageing population and value for money;

-          helping adults to live independently;

-          preparing for a sustainable economy;

-          health inequalities;

-          housing issues. 

For more details contact sarah.eaton@derbyshire.gov.uk

Local Area Agreement – Performance Update 2009/10 Quarter 2 – Click here to view report
Partners agreed a new format LAA performance report.  All the latest DPF performance information is available online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/partnershipforum in the ‘how we are doing’ section.  This includes information on performance relating to Thematic Partnerships which will be the subject of performance clinics where Chairs of Thematic Partnerships will discuss issues around under performing targets.

Partnership Engagement and Communication – Click here to view the DPF Guide to Engagement and Communication
Partners received an update of engagement and communication methods which have been improved and/ or developed over the last 12 months.  The LSP Co-ordination Group felt that communications between partners could still be improved.  Partners agreed to utilise the processes in place to share information, e.g. liaising with contacts from their own organisations who attend DPF meetings, submitting articles for the DPF newsletter and promoting the website.

Targeted Timetable of Action – Click here to view the timetable
Following the success of Operation Relentless, partners agreed to a targeted timetable of campaigns where all organisations will simultaneously promote partnership priority issues such as safeguarding vulnerable people, economic downturn, community cohesion and supporting carers.  Partners agreed to submit information in relation to addressing health inequalities, which runs between 3 Jan and 14 Feb, or responding to economic downturn (21 Feb to 4 April) to Sarah.eaton@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Click here to find out more information about the community cohesion campaign and launch of the new ‘Bringing People Together’ small grants fund for community projects and activities.

Safeguarding Vulnerable People and Reducing Alcohol Harm – Click here to view presentation
The current partnership targeted campaign focuses on safeguarding vulnerable people and reducing alcohol harm.  Following a workshop held after the September DPF meeting partners felt there was a need for more information about safeguarding adults.  Partners received information about safeguarding adults and campaign posters were distributed.  Partners agreed to promote safeguarding over the festive period, ensure their organisation is represented on the Derbyshire Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Partnership and make referrals where appropriate.  For more information contact Andrew.hambleton@derbyshire.gov.uk   

Click here for more information about safeguarding vulnerable adults

Derbyshire County Compact
Achievements of the County Compact Group were reported.  Partners agreed to nominate Compact champions to represent them at the County Compact Group and to promote Compact within their organisations.  For more details contact louise.collins@derbyshire.gov.uk  

2010 and Beyond – A Plan for Sport and Active Recreation in Derbyshire 2010 – 2015 -  Click here to view plan

Partners endorsed this new plan and were reminded of the many ways that different organisations can help to achieve its objectives to encourage people in Derbyshire to become more physically active.  For more details contact david.joy@derbyshire.gov.uk or visit www.derbyshiresport.co.uk

Backing Young Britain - Click here to view presentation
Partners received a presentation about two new government initiatives to increase employment opportunities for young people – Backing Young Britain (BYB) and Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG).  As significant employers, partners agreed to consider how they could help to support these schemes and create job opportunities for young people.  For more details contact Jackie.thompson@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk      

Family Reading Matters – Click here to view presentation
Derbyshire is participating in a national pilot to investigate how reading in family homes can be encouraged.  A free partnership conference will take place on 23 February 2010 and partners were encouraged to attend this event to help plan the way forward for this work across Derbyshire.  For more details contact Sarah.burkinshaw@derbyshire.gov.uk  

Finally, click here to view Partnership Matters the DPF newsletter