Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Chief Executive attached.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Paul Foster), the Interim Chief Executive (Gary Hall) and the South Ribble Partnership Manager (Howard Anthony) presented an update on the work of the Partnership to the Committee and responded to members’ comments and queries.

Much of the Partnership’s recent work had been in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and included supporting the council’s community hub, South Ribble Together, by helping those experiencing hardship to access food, medicine and support services. 

The Partnership operated with a collaborative approach and members requested further elaboration of this. In response, it was understood that prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, partnerships with other agencies and organisations were still in development and delivery had shortly begun but the common goals of partners had been strengthened by work during the pandemic and greater cooperation was now possible.

A community recovery task group had been established and members queried who was involved in this. It was reported that this was a cross-sector group consisting of Citizen’s Advice, Lancashire Adult Learning, Lancashire Constabulary, Department of Work and Pensions, Progress Housing and more.

Members requested an update on progress of implementing the Refernet service and were informed that 30 organisations had signed up to participate to date, including KEY and Preston Community Transport, and that this would help with the ‘one front door’ approach to accessing support services.

Interest in the link between the Partnership and Chorley Public Service Reform Board was expressed. The Reform Board was a similar model to the Partnership and worked with similar partners in Chorley. Greater work between the two was being undertaken as many partners, such as the Clinical Commissioning Group, worked within the two boroughs and greater collaboration would ensure minimal duplication.

In response to queries regarding the resources provided by partners, it was emphasised that the Partnership is reliant on collaboration and cross-sector working, as opposed to financial contribution.

The method for measuring success of the Partnership’s action plan was also questioned and members were advised that metrics for this were still in development. It was acknowledged that these could change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and further information would be provided.

A further update on the work of the Partnership would be provided to the Scrutiny Committee in January 2021 but it was acknowledged that the Partnership was facing significant challenges as a result of COVID-19. Whilst forecasts in progress were impractical, assurances were provided that community interests would continue to be met.

The committee thanked the Leader of the Council, the Interim Chief Executive and the Partnership Manager for attending.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the Scrutiny Committee

1.    commends the work of the Partnership in supporting our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic

2.    welcomes greater links being made between the Partnership and Chorley Public Service Reform Board and;

3.    looks forward to receiving an update in January 2021.