The Chief Executive of the City Council has announced the appointment of Cath Roff as the new Strategic Director of Adults, Health and Housing.  Cath joins Derby City Council from Sheffield City Council, where she was Director of Adult Services and has over 25 years experience.  This appointment means that the recruitment of the new Strategic Directors is now complete, with Don McLure the Strategic Director of Resources, Paul Robinson the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Ros Vahey the Strategic Director of Children and Young People.

 

The Derby City Partnership city theme groups met in February. Here we bring you a round up of the main items. Minutes from the individual meetings will shortly be available on the Derby City Partnership website.
 
Cultural City
UK 'City' of Culture 2017? There was an update from the recent event held for key partners to consider the merits of Derby and Derbyshire potentially bidding to become 'City' of Culture in 2017.  Positive support and enthusiasm was received from partners across the city and county to the idea and the potential social and economic benefits that could result. A steering group will develop the next steps.
      

Sport City, Activity City. A new draft sport and leisure strategy for the city and initial plans for development of the city's sport and leisure facilities was introduced; the new strategy will be coming out for consultation.
 
City for Children and Young People
Statutory Guidance on Children's Trusts. It is anticipated that new guidance will be issued from the Department for Children, Schools and Families establishing Children's Trust Boards as statutory bodies from April 2010.  The boards will have responsibility for developing, publishing, reviewing, revising and monitoring the implementation of the Children and Young People's Plan.  This follows a consultation which closed on 29 January. To read the consultation visit the DCSF website.

Voices in Action - Three priorities were agreed for the coming year: Perceptions of young people; Influences on young people; and University Fees (Youth Parliament Campaign). 
      

Children and Young People's Plan - Action Plan 2010-2011.  There will be a stakeholder day on Friday 5 March to develop the new action plan for the coming financial year.
 
City for Safer Stronger and Cleaner Communities
Perceptions of Anti-Social Behaviour.
The bi-annual Place Survey is the main source used to measure perceptions of anti-social behaviour.  Reports of incidents are reducing but this is not reflected in the measurement of public perceptions.  A large amount of partnership work, including Operation Relentless, is taking place in the city to address this issue.

 

Community Cohesion Update and Review. At the review discussion the key areas of focus included understanding the breadth of the agenda - cohesion is more than Gangs/Terrorism, and understanding that neighbourhood working is key to supporting the cohesion agenda with the the need to 'join up' all agencies.    
 
City Growth
Marketing Derby future activities presentation highlighted that

Derby has the highest average salary outside London and that
Westfield has generated over 3,000 jobs and much needed money into the local economy.

A new publication entitled Quality City, Quality Opportunities was distributed.  The publication focuses on Derby as a city of opportunity and 'on the up'.

Derby Museums Review 2009/10. The museum currently attracts 80,000 visitors but the footfall needs to be increased. 

 

 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently consulting to support implementation of the Equality Bill.  It will simplify, streamline and strengthen the law, give individuals greater protection from unfair discrimination and will make it easier for employers and companies to understand their responsibilities. It will also set a new standard for those who provide public services to treat everyone with dignity and respect.  The deadline for responses is 16 April. For more information visit the EHRC website.