Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children's Services regarding the Porksoken Early Intervention Review findings and recommendations.

The Director of Community and Children's Services advised the Committee that the proposals to join up facilities in Portsoken marked a new joined up effort to link the two communities at Mansell Street and Middlesex Street via Artizan Library.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the Portsoken Early Intervention Review, attached as Appendix One to this report, and any comments received by partners, be noted;

b)    the principle of the six priorities for action set out in the review, be endorsed as set out below;

a.    A coordinated approach be taken for the commissioning and delivery of services, bringing the services, providers and facilities in the ward together under a ‘One Portsoken’ umbrella;

b.    better use be made of the assets and facilities in the ward;

c.    the development of a health education strategy targeting those residents and city workers who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly, and also young people, who can be difficult to access, be authorised;

d.    investment in the community initiatives that help to maintain a sense of community on both estates in the ward, be continued;

e.    a coordinated service that brings City Advice and Adult Learning together to help residents manage their benefits and budgets be put in place; 

f.     a targeted employment and skills programme to continue to provide access to employment support be put in place;

c)    recommendation 1.1 in the review that the Portsoken Health and Community Centre should be managed by the Centre Manager of the Artizan Street Library and Community Centre from 1^st April 2014 onwards be agreed; and

d)    the Director of Community and Children’s Services decision to waive the City's Procurement Regulations in accordance

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services informed Members that in April 2012 Toynbee Hall were commissioned to manage the Portsoken Health and Community Centre. Following this appointment an Early

Intervention Review was undertaken to prepare for the new health and

wellbeing responsibilities in the area. The review had now been completed,

discussed with Portsoken Members and senior officers and distributed to all

partners for comment.

Members were informed that a Portsoken Early Intervention Review project board consisting of officers and key partners (including City and Hackney Primary Care Trust, Toynbee Hall and the Sir John Cass School) produced a brief for the review. The project board, through a competitive tender process, then commissioned Rocket Science to undertake it.

The review recommended a new way of managing the Portsoken Health and

Community Centre, the establishment of a One Portsoken Forum and other

improvements to service delivery and community engagement aimed at

improving the health and wellbeing of both residents and workers in the area.

Members welcomed the report and agreed that the consultation process had captured a good range of people. It was agreed that the onsite café should remain a social environment and not a commercial enterprise. Members suggested that courses should be made available for those who were currently out of work regarding work ethics and basic skills training.

In response to a query from Members, Officers noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board should be engaged in this review and consulted when appropriate.

RESOLVED: That Members:

• Noted the Portsoken Early Intervention Review and any comments received by partners.

• Endorsed in principle the six priorities for action set out in the review:

1. A coordinated approach for the commissioning and delivery of services, bringing the services, providers and facilities