This page provides notes from previous INVOLVE meetings

Notes from INVOLVE, 9th December 2009

1, Transforming Adult Social Care Services

Simon Williams gave a presentation on the future delivery of Adult Social Services at LBM and the implications for the voluntary and community sector. A copy of the presentation is available at the end of these notes.

The presentation focussed on the development of a Target Operating Model (TOM) for adult services. The group discussed implications for the VCS in this process, as follows:

• Mechanisms for procuring services, and getting good value
• Opportunities to participate in the LEAN review of Self Directed Support, starting early 2010.
• Externalisation of services via Self Directed Support (e.g. support services for people taking up direct payments)

Actions:

• MVSC to seek VCS representation via INVOLVE on Self Directed Support Lean review

2. Update on LBM funding

A paper was circulated summarising VCS issues in relation to budget reductions. A copy is available at the end of these notes.

3. Partnership update

Key issues from recent Merton Partnership and Thematic Partnership meetings were discussed, as follows:

Merton Partnership Board – 22nd October
Discussed the draft CAA report (final version available at www.direct.gov.uk/oneplace) and received a presentation on the Place Survey (more information available at www.merton.gov.uk/council/performance/placesurvey.htm)

Merton Partnership Executive Board – 26th November
Discussed process for distribution of LAA performance reward grant, which will begin in mid 2010.

Children’s Trust – 27th November
Discussed development of the new Children and Young People’s Plan, Safeguarding issues and Laming update and new procedures for improving access to high quality independent careers advice

Healthier Citizens
No meeting since last INVOLVE. Current issues include the structure of the group following the merger of the Healthier Communities and Older People’s thematic partnerships, the future role of partnership boards and the creation of 4 new delivery groups under the thematic partnership. Reps are required for the Service Delivery and Safeguarding groups – if interested, please contact dave@mvsc.co.uk.

Sustainable Communities and Transport
No meeting since last INVOLVE. Previously discussed the establishment of a new Infrastructure sub-group, which will meet on a six monthly basis.

Safer and Stronger Communities
No meeting since last INVOLVE. Previously had a presentation on Counter Terrorism, discussion about additional work for managing Prolific and Priority Offenders, and an update on the work to meet the LAA stretch target on volunteering.

For more information on any of these, contact dave@mvsc.co.uk

4. Independent Safeguarding Authority

MVSC will be providing a briefing on this in the new year. The understanding so far is that although the ISA was launched on 12th October, it does not come in until later in 2010.

5. Information Share

A request was made for continuing support in relation to the volunteering stretch targets, which focus on the number of residents volunteering for an average of 2 hours per week over the previous year. If any groups can help reach the target, please contact Volunteer Centre Merton. Deen City Farm have a system for recording volunteering which could be adapted by other groups.

Volunteer Centre Merton have a new outreach programme aimed at supporting the ‘accidental’ volunteer manager.

Dowloads 9th December 2009

Adult Services presentation (powerpoint show) 177kb
VCS consultation on LBM budget cuts (word) 15 kb 

INVOLVE (Community Engagement Network)
8th October 2009

Practice Based Commissioning

Carol Lambe, Practice Based Commissioning Manager at NHS Sutton and Merton gave a presentation outlining how Practice-Based Commissioning (PBC) is being implemented locally. A copy of the presentation is available at the end of this section.

During discussions, the following points came up:

• Most hospital care and some community services are now commissioned through PBC groups.
• NHS Sutton and Merton is still ultimately responsible for commissioning, and makes the final decisions on commissioning. Services are commissioned in line with PCT strategies and priorities.
• The development of Integrated Care Organisations (ICOs) will extend the range of services commissioned around a specific issue, and will allow PBC groups to be providers as well as commissioners.
• NHS tender opportunities are advertised through www.supply2health.nhs.uk. MVSC is registered on the site and will circulate information on future tenders in the local area.
• Organisations can discuss ideas for services with Carol. To e-mail her, click here.

Merton Partnership Engagement Strategy

Kris Witherington, London Borough of Merton Community Engagement Manager, gave a presentation on the development of an Engagement Strategy for the Merton Partnership.

The strategy will aim to clarify what is meant by engagement. Currently a range of activities come under the heading of engagement, from informing the public, to consulting with them on specific issues, to involving them in decisions and ultimately enabling the public to make decisions. It will also promote good practice in engagement across the partnership and encourage greater co-operation and sharing of data between partners. The strategy will also highlight the role of the voluntary and community sector in representing and reaching communities.

Kris pointed to good practice examples of engagement in the borough and how the national Place Survey had identified that people in Merton are more likely to feel they can influence decisions than in most other boroughs (this and other data from the place survey can be viewed at www.merton.gov.uk/placesurvey).

A copy of the latest draft of the strategy is available at the end of this section. Kris has asked for any comments to be sent to him by 30th October, although there will be further opportunities to comment on later revised version. To e-mail Kris, click here.

LBM Transformation Programme and 2010-11 budget

The cabinet will be discussing draft budget for 2010-11 at its meeting on 12th October. A copy of the draft budget paper is available at www.merton.gov.uk/council/committee.htm?view=event&event_id=3103. The paper shows that overall 58% of the target savings have been identified, so it is too early to get a picture on the overall impact on the sector.

The Compact Funding and Procurement sub-group will be holding a special meeting with cabinet members and lead officers to discuss the budget. Any thoughts or comments, including suggestions and ideas for savings within LBM, can be sent to dave@mvsc.co.uk

MVSC is pulling together its information and support to organisations on surviving the recession and will publicise this shortly. 

Local Development Framework Consultation

Valerie Mowah and Sarah Williams from the LBM Spatial Planning Policy Team gave a presentation on the current consultation on the core strategy for the Local Development Framework.. Information about the consultation is available at www.merton.gov.uk/living/planning/planningpolicy/ldf/core_strategy.htm

The Local Development Framework aims to identify the building and infrastructure needs to enable the delivery of the community plan. The consultation closes on 16th October.

Key issues from the thematic partnerships

The meeting discussed the plans to merge the healthier communities and older people’s thematic partnership, and the proposals to set up four new sub groups to the merged partnership.

There was insufficient time to give feedback from the other bodies within the Merton Partnership, but a summary is as follows:

The last meeting in September included feedback on the review of the Merton Partnership, which aims to improve it’s working and structures to give a greater focus on outcomes across the Partnership.

Children and Young People

The meeting of 25th September included detailed discussions on the Annual Report of the Safeguarding Board and the Laming Review. It also discussed the process for putting together a new Children and Young People’s Strategic Plan.

Safer and Stronger

The last meeting included presentations on Counter Terrorism and a discussion about additional work for managing Prolific and Priority Offenders. The meeting also received an update on the work to meet the LAA stretch target on volunteering.

Sustainable Communities and Transport

Discussed the establishment of a new Infrastructure sub-group, which will meet on a six monthly basis.

Representatives required

A table listing Voluntary Sector representation and vacancies on the Merton Partnership and other relevant bodies was circulated at the meeting. A copy of the table is available at the end of this section.

Representatives are currently required for the following groups:

• Environment and Regeneration and Adult Social Care Grant panels: Panel will meet at 10.00 am on 11th November. A further adult social care panel to look at Carers and Mental Health funding is likely to be set up in December.
• Merton Partnership Board: There is a vacancy for a new CEN representative on the board.
• Four sub-groups for the merged Healthier Communities and Older Peoples Thematic Partnerships: Safeguarding; service delivery; healthier lifestyles and citizenship/ inclusion.
• Sustainable Communities and Transport Infrastructure sub group.

For more information or to put yourself forward for any of these vacancies, contact Dave Hobday on 8685 2274 or dave@mvsc.co.uk

Information Exchange

Merton Seniors Forum and Age Concern Merton are holding a consultation event on 27th October, 12.30 to 4.00 pm to look at the new Green Paper on the future of adult social care. For more information, visit http://www.mertonconnected.com/node/2052. To book a place, contact 020 8395 6167. 

Black History Month is currently taking place. For details of activities and to download a leaflet, click here or visit the MertonConnected Calender.

For further information on any issues raised at the meeting, please contact Dave Hobday on 8685 2274 or dave@mvsc.co.uk. 

Downloads 8th October 2009

Practice Based Commissioning Presentation (1.2Mb)

Merton Draft Engagement Strategy (84Kb)

Table of CEN representation (41Kb)

INVOLVE (Community Engagement Network)
Special Meeting 8th July 2009
 
Ged Curran, LBM Chief Executive, attended INVOLVE to discuss the LBM Transformation Programme being implemented following a report from consultants Deloitte. This highlighted the need for the council to:

• plan services based on significantly lower levels of spending through the development of a new Target Operating Model
• improve efficiency
• improve procurement practices

LBM will be looking to save £15m in the current financial year, with a further £11m in 2010/11. Every area of work is being looked at in detail and there are likely to be significant job cuts. Staff are being offered flexible working, reduced hours, voluntary redundancy etc. Further major cuts are anticipated from 2013 as a result of national reductions in public expenditure - LBM likely to be one-third smaller.

Key issues for the voluntary sector are likely to be:

• cuts in grants budgets (impact and value for money will be assessed)
• increased demand from service users
• opportunities to tender for services, where this would reduce costs

 
Voluntary sector concerns
 
Issues raised included:

• The sector is already facing reduced income from charitable trusts, lottery, etc.
• The sector needs to know what is likely to be outsourced, so it can plan ahead
• Service quality could be affected if the emphasis is on savings when outsourcing
• TUPE (employment rights) could be a major barrier to contracting out services
• The local sector mustn’t be squeezed out (competition with larger providers)
• Procurement processes should recognise the value of spending locally
• LBM cuts are likely to mean increased demand for VCS services
• Early dialogue on the impact on services is crucial - not cuts across the board
• The sector wants to be engaged in discussions – a Compact commitment
• The sectors role in delivering preventative services must be recognised
• Transport remains a key issue and the sector should be involved in discussions

Ged suggested groups might wish to identify services they think could be outsourced also potential efficiency savings and approach LBM directly (via him until the new Head of Transformation is in post). Ged was thanked for attending the meeting and offered to attend in the future as plans developed.
 
Next steps
 
Suggestions for discussion at next INVOLVE meeting included:

• Making the most of the opportunity to be involved with the Transformation Programme (i.e. ensure involvement at the highest level with decision makers)
• Exploring the potential of consortia to bid for/deliver specific services
• Greater involvement in Commissioning and Procurement processes (possibly via the Compact Funding and Procurement sub-group)
• Can we learn from what’s happening in other parts of the country?
• Role of Trustees – do they want to be responsible for public service delivery?
• Identifying possible efficiency savings (sector and LBM savings)
• How can we ensure public sector partners are aware of sector issues?

It was agreed to have a meeting of Involve in September. Action: Dave
 
 
AOB

• A review of the LSP is being undertaken w/c 13th July and CEN reps and other members will be interviewed
• LBM will be looking for sector representatives to participate in grant panels later this year and MVSC will co-ordinate the process – details expected end of August

 ____________________________________________________________________________
 
INVOLVE (Community Engagement Network)
15th June 2009
 
Adult Services Transformation Programme
 
Hilary Di Salvo, Transformation Programme Manager gave a presentation outlining how the programme had changed to take on the Putting People First Agenda and the implementation of Self Directed Support. In addition, a reference group is to be established in the autumn to act as a sounding board on the development of the Programme.
Adult Services have a new staffing structure, a copy of which will be circulated once post-holders have been finalised.
 
Local Involvement Network
 
Stephen Bell, LINk Network Manager at MVSC, gave an update on the development of the Local Involvement Network. The LINk is in the process of finalising its work programme for 2009/10, with a focus on enabling a voice for service users and carers in relation to service delivery. Likely areas of work would include: the development of services in polyclinics, the introduction of self-directed support and hospital discharge.
 
For more information, contact Stephen Bell on 8685 8821 or stephenb@mvsc.co.uk
 
Feedback from Community Engagement Network Representatives
 

An update was given on activities within the Merton Partnership and thematic partnerships as follows:
 
Merton Partnership Board
 
The meeting of 23rd April had focussed on the role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Merton delivered by INVOLVE reps. Future meetings will give updates on the Comprehensive Area Assessment and the Recession Action Plan.
 
Executive Board
 
Discussed issues in relation to the LAA, including a decision to re-allocate the pump-priming grant from the worklessness target to other stretch targets. No decisions have been made in relation to the allocation of reward grants, other than their application to future needs.
 
Older People and Healthier Communities
 
Main issue concerns the proposal to merge the Healthier Communities and Older People’s thematic partnerships, which reps felt could be a positive development, especially in relation to securing greater PCT involvement in older people’s issues.
 
Children and Young People
 
Focus on Safeguarding issues and the Laming Review. Also refreshing Children and Young People’s Plan, which is due to complete shortly. Children’s Trust is holding an away day in June.
 
Safer and Stronger
 
Developed workplan for delivery of priorities identified through annual strategic assessment (priority areas are Anti Social Behaviour, domestic violence, knife crime, violence against the person, domestic burglary, hate crime and alcohol related disorder). Also developed workplan for Preventing Violent Extremism programme, which should include opportunities to bid for funding for VCS groups.
 
Sustainable Communities and Transport
 
Developing recession action plan for the Partnership, based on information from other thematic partnerships. Also, recent paper on developing a Gypsy and Traveller Plan and are keen to identify VCS representation for working group.
 
Cross-cutting
 
LBM is about to implement a Transformation Programme, based on reductions in future funding. As this is expected to have a major impact on the sector, it was agreed that reps should seek to get this discussed at thematic partnerships. It was also mentioned that MVSC have invited Ged Curran to a Special Involve meeting in July to get an update on the programme.
 
For Contact details for INVOLVE representatives on the Merton Partnership and Thematic Partnerships, please click here.
 
Information Exchange

• Hanover at Home offer a loft clearing service for older people having insulation fitted, and have a gardening service for overgrown front gardens. For more information contact Katie Dare on 020 8648 0471 or Katie.Dare@hanover.org.uk
• Merton Community Transport gave an update on their Scooterbility programme, which includes a leisure mobility vehicle which can bring scooters to people, outings and excursions and training. For more information contact Roy Dawson on 020 8648 7727 or info@mct.uk.com.
• Councillor Maurice Groves informed the group about a DVD which has been produced on travel issues for learning disabled people. For more information contact Charmaine Jacques on charmaine.jacques@merton.gov.uk
• Carers Support have a new benefit check service for Carers, run with CAB. For more information, telephone 8646 7515.
• Online booking arrangements will be available shortly for the Celebrating Age Festival.
• MVSC will shortly be advertising a vacancy for a CEN representative on the Merton Partnership Board.

 
For further information on any issues raised at the meeting, please contact Dave Hobday on 8685 2274 or dave@mvsc.co.uk.
 
___________________________________________________________________________
 
INVOLVE (Community Engagement Network)
22nd January 2009
 
Train to Gain
  
Simon Forzani from South London Learning Consortium gave a presentation on Train to Gain, the Government’s programme to support employers to improve the skills of their employees. A copy of Simon’s presentation is available at the end of this section. Simon highlighted a few important changes to Train to Gain which would have a significant impact on the voluntary and community sector:

• Employers can access free training for staff even if they already have a high level qualification in another field
• Volunteers can be trained through train to gain
• There is no upper age limit.

Any groups interested in accessing training for their staff, either through Train to Gain or other programmes, can get help from the SLLC brokerage service. For more information, contact South London Learning Consortium, on 020 8774 4040
 
 
Substance Misuse Strategy
 
Mark Robertson was unable to attend the meeting due to sick leave. Arrangements will be made for circulating information about the strategy or attending a future meeting.
 
Funding update
 
Chris Frost led a brief discussion on the difficult funding climate for VCS organisations. Challenges include:

• Decline in Charitable Trust funds
• Possibility of further diversion of lottery funding.
• Cuts in public services leading to increased demands on VCS
• Likely increase in demand for volunteering places
• Standstill budgets and cuts to LBM funding in some areas

It was noted that MVSC, Volunteer Centre and Merton Unity Network can provide support to groups on making the best use of resources, fundraising, managing volunteers etc, and that a training programme is currently available on www.mertonconnected.com.
 
Chris also discussed the recent funding rounds within LBM departments, which had provided an opportunity to compare processes and identify best practice. The issues identified will be taken up by the Compact Funding and Procurement Group.
 
Issues from the Merton Partnership and Thematic Partnerships
 
For Contact details for INVOLVE representatives on the Merton Partnership and Thematic Partnerships, please click here. In addition to the specific issues raise below, Reps on each Thematic Partnership has been feeding in issues in relation to the development of the new Sustainable Community Strategy (previously the Community Plan).
 
Merton Partnership
 
Recently discussed the impact of the Credit Crunch. Fosuah Poku mentioned work being planned by the CAB to support people in planning spending.
 
The next meeting in April will focus on the role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Merton. Suggested topics included volunteering, value for money and good practice in the sector, the wide reach and role of the sector.
 
Merton Partnership Executive Board
 
Executive Board is monitoring delivery of the LAA stretch targets on worklessness, led by the Mental Health Trust. Information will be circulated on how the contribution of the voluntary and community sector might be better recorded in the monitoring for this target.
 
The Executive board Away Day in November had identified ways that the partnership could be more effective, which included focussing on specific issues that affect a number of the partnership.
 
Older People’s Thematic Partnership
 
Reps have been raising the issue of funding cuts in relation to older people’s services. They are also trying to steer the partnership towards focussing holistically on older people, rather than just care services.
 
Other work has included the Energy Advice Day and reaching out to seldom heard groups of Older People.
 
Children and Young People’s Thematic Partnership
 
Key issues for the sector include the recent Commissioning round. It was felt that the process had been handled well and could be an example of good practice for other council departments. Discussions have also focussed on the additional powers for Children’s Trust Boards.
 
Sustainable Communities and Transport Thematic Partnership
 
Key issues relevant to the sector have been work to develop a skills strategy for the partnership. There is also an ongoing issue of agreeing leases for the Community Centres
 
Healthier Communities Thematic Partnership
 
The PCT is interested in exploring a Community Development model for improving health – working on the ground with target communities. Its been used in Tower Hamlets and there may a role for the VCS locally in delivering this.
 
The Thematic Partnership is also about to launch its Healthy Communities Strategy.
 
Safer and Stronger Communities
 
Safer Merton has just completed its public consultation on the Joint Strategic Assessment which sets priorities for 2009/10.
 
On the stronger communities side, LBM has funding via the Preventing Violent Extremism Fund which can be used for projects which build resilience within communities in Merton. Following research by Roehampton Institute, LBM are putting together a paper setting out project outcomes and how organisations will be able to bid for funding.

Information Share
 
Centre for Independent Living: Roy Benjamin gave an update on progress towards developing a CIL. MVSC and the CIL steering group have been asked to put together a proposal for development work for the CIL. If agreed with LBM, the work would start in April 2009. for more information on the CIL steering group, click here.
 
 
Downloads 22nd January 2009
 
Train to Gain presentation (189.5kb)
__________________________________________________________________________
 
 
INVOLVE (Community Engagement Network)
11th September 2008
 

Merton Local Involvement Network
 

Marion Radford, LINk Network Manager at MVSC, gave a presentation on the development of the LINk. A copy of the presentation is available for download at the end of this section.

A steering group is currently being established for the LINk, who will develop the workplan for the coming year. Once establish, the steering group will start to organise public meetings and other activities.

For more information on developing the LINk contact Marian on 020 8685 2281 of e-mail Marian@mvsc.co.uk.
 

LBM Overview and Scrutiny

Daniel Moore, Scrutiny Officer at Merton Council, gave a presentation on the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees. A copy of the presentation is available at the end of this section. Daniel emphasised the role that Voluntary and Community groups can play in suggesting subjects for the committees and in participating in their activities.

For more information on Overview and Scrutiny in Merton, visit www.merton.gov.uk/scrutiny.
 

Mental Health Foundation Trust Consultation

Caroline O’Neill, Foundation Trust Communications Manager at South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust, gave a presentation on plans to become a foundation trust. The Trust is carrying out a consultation on this change to its structure, which will enable members of the public to become Trust Members and stand for election to a new Members’ Council. A copy of the presentation is available for download at the end of this section.

Caroline would be happy to attend other meetings to talk about the Foundation Trust and to promote membership. To take part in the consultation, visit http://www.swlstg-tr.nhs.uk/about/foundation_trust_consultation.asp, or for more information telephone 0800 085 2597 or email ft.office@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk.
 

Information Exchange
 

• MVSC is currently putting together a training programme which will include an awareness raising event on Putting People First and the implications for voluntary groups. More information on this and other courses will be circulated shortly.
• LBM Adult Services are looking for a Voluntary and Community Sector representative for their grants panel, which will meet on 5th November to look at their one year grants. MVSC will publicise this more widely, but if anyone is interested please contact Dave Hobday – 020 8685 2274 or dave@mvsc.co.uk
• There are currently two vacancies for INVOLVE/ CEN representatives, both on the Merton Partnership. MVSC will be publicising these vacancies shortly.
• MVSC is holding a Meet the Funders day on September 18th, aimed specifically at groups working with children and young people.
• A number of Mental Health Organisations are organising a joint event for World Mental Health Day. The event will feature art, music, poetry etc and is taking at Morden Baptist Church, from 11.30 to 4.30 pm. Information to advertise the event will be circulated shortly.
• The Vine have set up a new project working providing support to homeless families. If anyone is working with this client group, contact Jennie Chapman on 8685 6640 or e-mail enquiries@thevineproject.org.
• Volunteer Centre Merton is holding their next Volunteer Organisers Forum on Wednesday 24th September, 10.00 to 12.00 at Vestry Hall. The agenda will include working with young volunteers. Volunteer Centre Merton and Merton Racial Equality Partnership are holding a joint training course on diversity on 11th November. For more information contact Rosemary Tilley on: 020 8640 7355 or email rosemary@volunteercentremerton.org.uk.
• LBM has been awarded three year funding for work on preventing extremism. The council has commissioned research on how best to make use of the funding.
• Merton Racial Equality Partnership is holding a conference on 23rd October, at Morden College on New and Emerging Communities. For more information visit http://www.mertonrep.org.uk/or contact Frank Anti (Director) on 020 8640 4477 or e-mail admin@mertonrep.org.uk. 

  
Downloads 11th September 2008

Local Involvement Network (106kb)
Overview and Scrutiny (172 kb)
Mental Health Trust Foundation Status (1734 kb)
 
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Special Involve Meeting 26th June 2008
Updating the Community Plan

 

1. Introduction – purpose of the meeting
 

This meeting was organised to enable voluntary and community groups to participate in the process of refreshing the Community Plan. The main focus of the meeting was to look at the current outcomes in the introduction to the Community plan, and how well they fit with the new LAA indicators. The meeting was attended by over 40 people from voluntary and community groups and included a presentation from Abdool Kara, LBM Assistant Chief Executive. The resulting discussions form the basis of these recommendations for the content of each section of the Community Plan.
 

2. General and cross-cutting issues
 

• Relationship between the Community Plan and LAA: Whilst there may not always be a strong fit between the two plans, the Community Plan should not be changed to fit with the LAA. We should maintain the aspirational tone of the Plan.
• The Plan should take account of changes in population, especially the needs of new and emerging communities.
• Some groups do not fit into the Thematic Partnership structure and receive little mention in the community plan, in particular adults with disabilities and people with mental health problems. The partnership needs to agree where these should be included.
• The role of the voluntary and community sector: Mention of VCS in each chapter to take account of recent developments (for example, the CEN, Compact Awards etc.).
• Bridging the Gap: The Plan should reflect this overall aim.
• Transport: The importance of transport to the agendas of al of the thematic partnerships means that reference should be made in all the chapters.
• The plan should anticipate greater use of commissioning from the voluntary and community sector.
• The plan should also make more specific mention of partnership working.

 
 
 
3. Recommendations for Thematic Partnerships
 

Sustainable Communities and Transport
 

• Housing: this section to include the importance of estate management.
• Environment: the Plan should make the economic case for environmental sustainability. The section on built environment should consider the need to minimise derelict land and planning blight.
• Economy, enterprise and skills: There should be a stronger focus on employing local people in local jobs. The role and value of volunteering as a route to employment could be more prominent.
• Transport: The introduction to the Plan should continue to include roads are safer for all users as an outcome, regardless of there being no LAA target that relates to this. The phrase ‘all users’ should include pedestrians.

 
Safer and Stronger Communities
 

• Plan should recognise concerns over knife and gun crime.
• There should be specific recognition of the problems of young people and alcohol.
• The focus on community cohesion should include more emphasis on promoting equality and tackling inequality.
• Include the development of Intergenerational Centre
• Strengthen the section on community involvement: the development of the CEN, Overview and Scrutiny, LINk, etc. provide greater opportunity for people to have influence in shaping what happens in their communities. The section needs to demonstrate how we value the role of all in the community (esp. relevant to young people and older people).
• Include something about volunteering and its contribution to community life.

 
Healthier Communities
 

• The Plan should concentrate more on the wider issues around good health, rather than the current focus on health services.
• There should be greater mention of promoting good health generally within the community, and for specific groups.
• There should be stronger focus on access to healthy activities, maintaining good health and wellbeing.
• There should be recognition of the impact of other issues in relation to health, e.g. housing, employment, availability of open spaces, etc.
• Mental health issues need more attention.
• Drugs and alcohol should be included in the Plan.
• Greater mention of chronic and long term health needs.

 
Older People
 

• The aspirations in the Plan may be good, but the concern is that those aspirations are not being met (context is of increasing nursing care, raised eligibility criteria, budget cuts).
• The Plan should emphasise changes in expectations of older people.
• The Plan should recognise the impact of Putting People First, individual budgets, choice, etc.
• There should be more mention of access issues for older people, especially the need for key services to be within walking distance.
• There should be recognition of the role of older people in work.
• Consideration should be given to whether the remit of the Older Peoples Thematic Partnership should be widened to cover all adults, including those with disabilities.

 
Children and Young people
 

• The Plan should seek to present a positive image of young people and be much more upbeat about the contribution young people make.
• There should be a stronger commitment to put young people at the heart of planning, delivering and commissioning of young people’s services.
• There should be more mention of the needs of specific groups of children and young people: those with disabilities and/or living with a chronic illness; young people in care, young people with mental health problems, young carers.
• There should be more mention of employment and skills training for NEET young people.

 
____________________________________________________________________________

INVOLVE (Community Engagement Network)
9th April 2008

 

Merton Intergenerational Centre

Paul Ballatt and Simon Deakin gave a presentation on the development of Merton’s Intergenerational Centre. A copy of the presentation is available for download at the end of this section.

Simon Deakin is Project Manager for the development. You can contact Simon on 8545 3834 or simon.deakin@merton.gov.uk.

A meeting is being arranged for Saturday 17th May at St Marks Academy, which will give more details on the centre, including outline plans. For more information on contact Simon Deakin.

Merton Council Third Sector Strategy

Dave Hill and Daniel Moore gave a presentation on LBM’s third sector strategy, which is now out for consultation. A copy of the presentation is availabe for download at the end of this section.

At the meeting, MVSC was asked to co-ordinate responses on behalf of the sector. If you would like to include your comments in this response, please send them to Dave Hobday on dave@mvsc.co.uk by Friday 9th May.

INVOLVE representatives feedback

CEN representatives reports are available on Merton Connected by clicking on the Forums buttton on this webpage. Claire Gummett gave an update on the LAA refresh which can be downloaded from the LBM website by clicking here.
 

Information exchange
 

• Springfield Advice and Law Centre have a new Young Person’s Legal Advice service. Click here for contact details for Springfield.
• The next meeting of the Merton Community Police Consultative Group has been arranged for 7th May at The Hub. For more information click here.
• Merton Local Involvement Network. MVSC has been participating in a tendering process and hopes to hear the outcome shortly. Regardless of the outcome, MVSC will be keen to share its learning regarding the process.
• Adult services transformation. MVSC has been given the full list of workstreams and projects which are available by clicking here. If anyone is interested in participating in any of the projects, please contact Dave Hobday at MVSC on 8685 2274 or e-mail dave@mvsc.co.uk by 30th April. The latest Briefing Paper on the Adult Services Transformation Programme can be viewed by clicking here.

 
 
Downloads 9th April

Intergenerational Centre presentation (714kb)
Third Sector strategy presentation (94kb)
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INVOLVE (Community Engagement Network)
22nd November 2007

Mission for Merton

Councillor David Simpson and Adool Kara, Assistant Chief Executive spoke to INVOLVE as part of the consultation exercise on the Mission for Merton which is a Council initiative aimed at establishing a refreshed vision and ambition for the Borough. Their presentation was followed by a discussion with members of INVOLVE.

Adult Social Care Review

Hilary Di Salvo and Sarah Wells from LBM Community and Housing Department gave a brief update on the progress of the review (now known as the Transformation Project) and discussed how the voluntary and community sector could be involved in the project groups taking the priority action areas forward. Terms of reference for the project groups were circulated and organisations interested in being involved in any group are asked to contact MVSC.

Local Area Agreement (LAA)

Reps on the Merton Partnership Thematic Groups reported on the action taken by each Group to agree priorities for the new LAA. Several reported that there had been little discussion on the topic but the Children's Trust organised a special meeting to discuss and agree the priority targets that they would put forward to the Merton Partnership.

Everyone was reminded to keep up to date with the work of the reps on the Merton Partnership and Thematic Groups by reading the reports posted by them on the INVOLVE web pages of Merton Connected .

ChangeUp survey

The local ChangeUp Consortium is developing a new strategic plan and is consulting with voluntary organisations about the support services they think are valuable and which they need themselves. A survey has been put on Merton Connected with a link from the homepage and everyone was asked to complete it by 30th November.

Next meeting - An item on private fostering should have been on the agenda for the November meeting. Howard Baines from LBM Children Schools and Families Department will come again to give a presentation on this at the next meeting.

For more information on any of these items contact morag@mvsc.co.uk or 8685 2288.
 
 
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Notes from the INVOLVE (Community Engagement Network) meeting
on 19th September 2007

 

3rd Sector Strategy

Dave Hill, who is leading the work on the Strategy for Merton Council, and Daniel Moore, project manager, spoke about the background to the work on the Strategy, how it will be undertaken and how voluntary and community organisations will be involved in the process.

Commissioning

Groups were reminded to register on Alito, the Council's e-tendering system, and to check it for information on services currently being commissioned. MVSC is running a training course on How to win Contracts, in November at Vestry Hall and is planning a Meet the Commissioners session for later this year. Terry Campbell, who is replacing Terri Hudson as Commissioning Manager, has expressed a wish to attend a future INVOLVE meeting.

Merton Partnership

CEN reps gave reports on the meetings of thematic groups and the Executive Group. Notes on these meetings are posted elsewhere on these INVOLVE pages.
 

Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

Merton Council is inviting Expressions of Interest from organisations interested in tendering to be the host organisation for the Merton LINk.

Reps needed

INVOLVE has been asked to provide representatives to sit on the following bodies on behalf of the voluntary and community sector:

• Cultural Partnership
• Youth Crime Prevention Management Board
• 3rd Sector Strategy Project Group
• Private Fostering Group

 
Anyone interested in finding out more about these opportunities should contact morag@mvsc.co.uk or 8685 2288.

Date of next meeting

Thursday 22nd November, 10.30 - 12.30, at Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham CR4 3UD.

For more information on any of these items contact morag@mvsc.co.uk or 8685 2288.
 
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Notes from Merton INVOLVE (CEN) meeting
28th June 2007

The meeting included:

• A presentation on Local Involvement Networks (soon to replace Patient and Public invovement Forums) by Barbara Jarvis, LBM Scrutiny Officer. To view her presentation, click on the link at the end of these notes.
• A report on the proposed LBM review of arrangements for funding voluntary sector organisations
• An update on the Strategic Review of Adult Social Care. A consultation meeting is being held on 2nd July.
• An update on Selling to the Council, Merton Council's commissioning and procurement policy. The Council officer responsible for work on this policy will be invited to the next INVOLVE meeting.
• Feedback from INVOLVE representatives on issues/information from meetings they have attended. Reports from reps will be posted on the Forums page of this website. To view these, click on Forums in the menu on the left or click here.
• A voluntary sector representative is sought to sit on the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Partnership - Awareness Raising Team. If you are interested in this please contact morag@mvsc.co.uk for more details.
• A report from Paul Rajkumar, London Fire Brigade, on his work with the Pakistani community to raise awareness of fire safety.

 
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Notes from Merton INVOLVE (CEN) meeting
18th April 2007
 
The meeting included:

• introduction of the new community engagement network (CEN) representatives.
• a report from Jenny Phaure on the study undertaken for MVSC on theinvolvement of the voluntary and community sector in work relating to LAA targets
• a report from Simon Williams, Director of Community & Housing, LBM, on how the Strategic Review of Adult Social Care is being undertaken. Anyone interested in being involved should contact simon.williams@merton.gov.uk
• an update from Janie Conlin, Sutton & Merton Primary Care Trust, on health issues, including Better Healthcare Closer to Home, and commissioning.