Issue - meetings

[Ros Jervis, Service Director – Public Health and Wellbeing and David Watts, Service Director – Adults, to present report]

Ros Jervis, Strategic Director – Public Health and Wellbeing and David Watts, Service Director – Adults presented the report.

The Service Director – Public Health and Wellbeing introduced the report and stated that the event had proved extremely successful in engaging with both partners, community groups and local residents and had been very well received, with considerable positive feedback.  Suggestions had also been received for any future events and it was important not to lose momentum and to consider the way forward.

The Service Director – Adults referred to the importance of engaging at a local level and working with local communities.  The event had also highlighted local knowledge which had added valve to the event.  In future events could be themed to target problems highlighted in specific areas.

The Board referred to large community events held annually in various locations, including Durham but considered that, smaller, more frequent, localised events were more beneficial as local communities and neighbourhoods could relate to them more.  It was also important that the impetus between events was not lost, which could happen when annual events were held.

Alan Coe, Chair of Wolverhampton Safeguarding Board stated that it was important to help the socially isolated who were prone to vulnerability and it would be helpful to identify what local people found helpful when such events were held and any input from Stephen Dodd from the Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council would be advantageous.

Chief Supt Jayne Meir, West Midlands Police referred to the Active Citizens Funding of £80,000 to be awarded to community groups towards crime prevention and resilience and it was hoped in the future to become increasingly involved in community activities.

The Service Director – Public Health and Wellbeing confirmed that the Steering Group was Chaired by Stephen Dodd and a representative from the Police would be invited to the next meeting on 12 April. 

In answer to a question regarding GP involvement, the Service Director – Public Health and Wellbeing confirmed that the Clinical Commissioning Group was well engaged and help would be given to improve engagement with GPs.

Resolved:

1.      The Board noted the feedback from the Living Well, Feeling Safe Event.

2.      The Board receive a range of options for further events at a future development session.