Notes

Meeting: Launceston Community Network Panel

Date: Thursday 16 March 2017

Time: 7.00pm

Location: The Guildhall, Launceston Town Hall, PL15 7AR

Present Title/Representing Neil Burden CC (Chair) Councillor – Stoke Climsland Adam Paynter CC Cornwall Councillor – Launceston North & North Petherwin Gemma Massey CC Cornwall Councillor – Launceston Central Vivian Hall CC Cornwall Councillor - Altarnun Jade Farrington CC – Launceston South Councillor Leighton Penhale Launceston Town Council Councillor John Harris Launceston Town Council Councillor Paul O’Brien Launceston Town Council Councillor Jane Nancarrow Launceston Town Council Councillor Dave Gordon Launceston Town Council Councillor Margaret Young Launceston Town Council Councillor Rob Tremain Launceston Town Council Councillor Roger Creagh-Osborne Launceston Town Council Councillor Steven Phillips Launceston Town Council Councillor John Conway Launceston Town Council/St Stephens by Launceston Rural Parish Council Councillor Joan Heaton St Stephens by Launceston Rural Parish Council Christopher Drake Clerk to Launceston Town Council Maureen Amy Launceston Medical Centre PPG Pam Davey Launceston Medical Centre PPG Sam Allen Kensey Valley Residents Association David Perry Resident Jim Edwards Resident Karen Farrington Resident Ruth Burden Resident Rob Diebner Resident Lysette Douce Resident Amy Dennis Cornwall & Devon Post Peter Harper Launceston Medical Centre Manager Richard Martin Office of Police & Crime Commissioner Vashti Pearce Devon & Cornwall Police Tamzyn Smith Real Ideas Organisation Chris Sims Community Link Officer (Launceston and Community Networks), Cornwall Council Rosemary Stone Communities Support Assistant, Cornwall Council Apologies for absence: Dawn Rogers (South Petherwin PC); Val Bugden-Cawsey (Launceston TC)

Notes:

Item Key/Action Points Log No. (Action by) 1 Health and Safety Information (Chair / Community Link Officer)

2 Introductions and Apologies Neil Burden (Chair) (NB) thanked everyone for attending, invited introductions, and explained the principles around recording and reporting of public meetings. A particular welcome was extended to Peter Harper, Richard Martin, Vashti Pearce, and Tamzyn Smith.

It was noted the Chair of Werrington Parish Council had sadly passed away. Condolences were expressed to his family.

3 Policing NB introduced Richard Martin (RM) (Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner) and Vashti Pearce (VP) (Police Community Management Officer).

VP explained the background to the Neighbourhood Policing Pilot in the north and east of Cornwall. Backed by the Chief Constable the pilot has run since June 2016 and will end in August 2017. The role of the PCMO has been to bring services together and provide comprehensive reports on local issues. Strategy meetings have been held with various organisations such as the Memory Café, Highways, Cormac, and an environmental audit was carried out recently in involving the College. The strategy is aimed at modernising crime prevention, protecting vulnerable people of all ages, building community capacity, and ensuring safe, resilient, connected communities in line with the Police and Crime Plan. It seeks to identify/’asset map’ support groups and where to get help. Smart communication (i.e. Neighbourhood Alert Scheme) is required to ensure swift and effective connections, and this includes phone messages as many residents do not have access to the internet.

RM indicated the role of the P&CC is to be the elected representative for policing reflecting the needs of communities,

2 whilst the Chief Constable is solely responsible for operational issues. The OP&CC holds the budget and works closely with the Chief Constable on allocation of resources.

RM circulated a summary of the Police and Crime Plan, and referred to the concerns raised and recommendations from the consultation. One big message was that the public felt too remote from policing.

The threat of crime has changed from traditional burglary and car crime, and officers are now drawn into time-consuming and complex areas such as safeguarding, fraud, missing people, child abuse, protection and mental health. The challenge is to balance the duty of care to respond, against the resources required for the police to keep pace with new demands, and being drawn away from more visible areas of policing.

There will be a reduction in the number of PCSOs but an increase of officers by 100 over the next four years. A number of these will be armed to address the terrorism threat. New staff are also being recruited and trained to take statements over the phone which will free up police officer time.

Improving prevention remains a key objective, with the aim of turning people away from crime in the first place to reduce pressure on public service. The introduction of a pathfinder scheme in June will offer some low-level offenders the opportunity to make re-dress through restorative justice or voluntary work rather than adding to the burden on the justice system.

The new Victim Care Unit, run by police staff, provides impartial support, guidance, advice and signposting tailored to the type of crime and victim.

The nature of crime has changed with the advent of technology and as such the Chief Constable is looking at how the police service needs to realign to deal with new challenges.

Questions, Comments and Answers

NB commented that from recent experience, the 101 service had improved and calls were answered quicker.

Does D&C Police still support Neighbourhood Watch, and if so, how? Re-establishing a scheme has proved difficult. Volunteers involved in Neighbourhood Watch often receive personal abuse. Answer – It was acknowledged that Neighbourhood Watch had fallen away over past years but that there is a renewed effort to rejuvenate the scheme. There is a joint initiative with Cornwall Council on neighbourhood alerts and work is ongoing to develop a “how to” guide for Neighbourhood Watch/ Speedwatch, and make the system easier and smarter. Launceston PubWatch uses

3

WhatsApp. There is also an Act of Parliament which will provide Chief Constables with powers to allow volunteers, for example, to issue tickets, stop vehicles etc. Policing/volunteer coordination is being looked at with people involved in Neighbourhood Watch working together across the sector and training each other. CS/VP/ Action – List of local Resident Associations to be provided John for VP Harris

Use of mobile phones whilst driving and defective vehicle lights are major problems, endangering cyclists and other road users, especially at night. Can SpeedWatch help? Answer – Road safety is built on awareness. The recent change in the law means a £200 fine and 6 points for phone use. The incident must be witnessed by officers, but action will be taken and numbers reported. Defective lighting is the drivers’ responsibility. ANPR has been looked at in Delabole and Callington, operating through cameras linked to Plymouth. CCTV is being used in St Mellion.

The proposed reduction in PCSOs is a concern as the role has been a positive influence in prevention. Answer – No final decision has yet been made. It is recognised PCSOs play a significant part and are highly motivated. A balance needs to be achieved between urban/rural resource and a business case made to Unison.

NB thanked RM and VP for attending.

4 Health – Shaping our Future

Medical Centre Update Peter Harper indicated there had been NHS agreement in principle to the extension in December, and the application for planning permission was approved in October.

A process of “due diligence” is now with consultants and advice is expected on what needs to be done. A cost of £50K has been estimated for the process and this has been secured from NHS . A meeting was held with the architects in February, and on completion of this work final approval is dependent on Premises Cost Directions. This guidance has been promised for 1 April and determines what NHS England will commit to the building.

The land acquisition is subject to separate negotiations with NHS Property Services. Consultants are looking into covenants, and this negotiation will also need to meet the 1 April deadline. If this issue does not progress positively in the near future then further support may be sought from the Launceston Community Network Panel to help move things forward.

4

Questions, Comments and Answers

In light of recent proposals for Devon hospitals, is this likely to be replicated in Launceston? Answer – The closure of Launceston hospital would be highly disadvantageous; however there are so many covenants specifying the land is only to be used for medical purposes such an outcome may not impact on the land deal for the extended medical centre.

This has been a very protracted process, is there the possibility of even more delay? Answer – Funds have been made available through the national pot, and Launceston was the biggest recipient in Cornwall. There is an agreement in principle, and a momentum to the process. GPs are responsible for funding and will pay for the building minus the NHS award. They will then be paid a rent by the NHS for use of the building.

PH will report back to the Panel on progress, and CS will act on CS/PH behalf of the Panel during the purdah/election period if there is a need to add Panel’s weight/support to the land acquisition discussions. It was agreed the momentum must be maintained.

Councillor Farrington expressed grateful thanks to PH for his patience and perseverance.

Sustainability & Transformation Plan The Executive Summary of the recent report was circulated. NB reported the Health Scrutiny Committee were unhappy with the proposals and concerned about the business plan. The closure of Devon hospitals would mean Launceston hospital becomes even more important.

Following the recent engagement feedback and the outline business plan, chief officers are currently agreeing the timescales for further engagement with communities and the development of more detailed proposals; this will be published shortly.

Questions, Comments and Answers

Concern was expressed over the removal of community hospitals and MIUs, and the consequential additional travel to other facilities. The Panel agreed the use of Launceston hospital must be supported, and unanimously passed the following Motion –

The Launceston Community Network Panel wholeheartedly supports local community hospitals, in particular the hospital in Launceston serving the town and surrounding area, and would strongly oppose any closure plans due to the rurality of the area and poor access to services.

5

There is a public meeting planned for 4 April in Launceston Town Hall – Scott Mann MP may attend.

5 Real Ideas Organisation

NB welcomed Tamzyn Smith (TS) from the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO).

TS gave a presentation explaining the background of RIO as the premise of social enterprise to benefit planet, profit and people, and address many social issues. It has been run as a CIC gaining experience over the past 10 years, and works with organisations such as the Big Lottery, Department of Work and Pensions, Arts Council.

RIO operates from bases in , Bristol and Devonport, and through The Engine Room programme provides a network for social enterprises in Cornwall, e.g. in Liskeard, , . The programme offers business support for pre start-up and start- up businesses in Cornwall that have a social purpose and who are interested in creating a sustainable social enterprise.

TS indicated there are a big variety of enterprises involved from health, education and wellbeing, to arts, culture and libraries. Some examples of successful projects are: Real Junk Food (addressing food waste), and Fifteen which gets young people into employment, and residential; farm holidays.

The programme is seeking to expand in north and east Cornwall, and TS indicated a desire to run an event to see who would benefit. RIO can offer expertise and direction in Crowdfunding, business modelling, finance, commissioning, trading, income and legal structure. A SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) would be undertaken to identify what is required.

Questions, Comments and Answers

Accessible transport for staff is vital for any enterprise. Answer – There are a number of solutions – see the link to the Growth Hub below.

What day(s) are best to hold events? Answer – This is up to local need. Callington is looking at holding an event in May. Organisations are constantly signing-up, and staff from RIO can attend and support.

If already an organisation how can RIO help? Answer – RIO can assist with marketing, navigating funding, customers etc.

Could RIO get involved in devolution of assets?

6

Answer – One example is Liskeard Library which is the subject of negotiation with Cornwall Council. The aim is to run the building as a social enterprise and transform it into a business/community hub and library. Building costs and management of work backlog can be challenging.

RIO is very keen to work with group and individuals in Launceston and it was agreed to hold an initial meeting in the next couple of months. Ideas should be fed to CS. ALL/CS/ Action – arrange meeting and collate ideas and interest TS

Contact details: https://www.theengineroom.org.uk/ [email protected] https://www.ciosgrowthhub.com/ Handout sent out with Notes

Thanks were expressed to TS.

6 Notes of the last meeting (15 December 2016) Approved. 7 Public Questions None. 8 Urgent Items 8.1 Local Devolution Fund CS confirmed approximately £7K remains available, and will be rolled forward for the devolution of the Library, or other eligible project.

Next meeting: Date: Thursday 15 June 2017 Venue: Launceston Theme(s): AGM, Health Update, Local Devolution Fund

Contact Officers:

If you have any queries about the Community Network Panel, please contact:

Name Role Telephone Email

Chris Sims Community Link Officer 07973 497332 csims1@cornwa ll.gov.uk

Rosemary Communities Support Assistant 01726 223685 rosemary.stone Stone @cornwall.gov. uk Address: OSS, 39 Penwinnick Road, St Austell, PL25 5DR Website: Launceston Community Network

Notes published: 3 April 2017

7