Agenda of Community Services Committee Meeting

ITEM 1 - APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	To allow tendering of apologies for Councillors not present.
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	4.5.1.g - Code of Meeting Practice adopted and implemented.
Annexures	Nil
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS LEAVE OF ABSENCE - 568091

Recommendation

THAT any apologies tendered be accepted and the necessary leave of absence be granted.

General Manager's REPORT

A call for apologies is to be made.

ITEM 2 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	To allow an opportunity for Councillors to declare an interest in any items to be determined at this meeting.
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	4.5.1.g - Code of Meeting Practice adopted and implemented.
Annexures	Nil
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS AND STAFF DECLARATION OF INTEREST - 2014 - 568092

Recommendation

THAT the Declarations of Interest be noted.

General Manager's REPORT

A call for Declarations of Interest.

ITEM 3 - DECLARATIONS FOR POLITICAL DONATIONS

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	To allow an opportunity for Councillors to declare any Political Donations received.
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	4.5.1.g - Code of Meeting Practice adopted and implemented.
Annexures	Nil
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\COUNCIL - COUNCILLORS DECLARATION OF POLITICAL DONATIONS - 568093

Recommendation

THAT any Political Donations be noted.

General Manager's REPORT

A call for Declarations of any Political Donations.

ITEM 4 - CENTROC HEALTH WORKFORCE GROUP

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	CENTROC has recommenced its Health Workforce Meetings
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	3.2.3.d - Participate in CENTROC Health Watch Committee
Annexures	Nil
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNMENT RELATIONS\LOCAL AND REGIONAL LIAISON\CENTROC - 570236

Recommendation

THAT Council provide information on local health workforce issues to the CENTROC Health Workforce Group.

Community Services Manager's REPORT

The Mayor, Councillor Nash and the Community Services Manager recently attended the first CENTROC Health Workforce meeting to be held for some time.

The meeting was well attended and will again be held regularly to build links with health and advocate for the region.

Mr Scott McLachlan from the Western NSW Local Health District spoke on characteristics of the region and of the push to provide treatment to patients within the community where possible. The District has the highest emergency department and hospital admission rates per head of population in the state and the district is actively seeking to address this by bolstering direct services provided within the community. A factor in this is the disproportionately high instances of some diseases, early death and adverse health outcomes for residents of western areas.

The meeting advised that the 61 Medicare Locals are to be replaced by 30 Primary Healthcare networks which will be set up through open tender. The Primary Healthcare networks will have boundaries consistent with Local HealthCare Districts.

The Western Medicare local will be submitting a tender under the new arrangements and because it has strong existing relationship with the area and is sensitive to local needs it is hoping to be successful.

Each year there are approximately 16 Bush Bursaries sponsored by local councils, the CWA and the Rural Doctors network. These have been effective in exposing medical students to rural practice and many of these have gone on to serve as interns at country hospitals.

The meeting was advised that the recent Federal Budget held pluses and minuses for the region. Medicare Locals and the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program will be no longer funded with concerns raised that the scrapping of the PGPPP may make it harder to attract doctors to rural careers.

On the plus side the Medical Research Future Fund could gain up to $20 billion funded by the $7 GP co-payment if this passes into legislation.

Of relevance to rural areas the budget provides for ‘More than $50 million worth of infrastructure grants for doctors’ surgeries in regional and rural Australia – to help improve rural teaching GP practices. The Government will provide at least 175 grants of up to $300,000 each’.

This measure will be monitored to see if opportunities arise for medical practices in Cabonne under this program.

The CENTROC Health Workforce meeting will appreciate feedback from each local government area on health workforce issues in their areas.

ITEM 5 - YOUTH DISCOS AT MOLONG

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	A meeting was recently held with representatives of the Police Force and the PCYC
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	3.1.2 g - Youth services are promoted across Cabonne
Annexures	Nil
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\COMMUNITY SERVICES\SERVICE PROVISION\YOUTH SERVICES - 570618

Recommendation

THAT the recommencement of PCYC Discos be supported.

Community Services Manager's REPORT

A meeting was recently held between Council, the Molong Express and representatives of the police and PCYC.

Previous discos were discontinued when the officer in charge of organising them left the Wellington Police Command.

The PCYC are supportive of recommencing Youth Discos from October subject to overcoming staffing issues.

A silent disco is to be held in conjunction with Molong Show where the participants will listen to the music through headphones. Council is providing $5,000 sponsorship for events at the 150^th Molong Show.

It is hoped the PCYC will recommence their regular discos after this.

The Community Transport Coordinator will continue to support the re-establishment of the Discos and to provide bus transport to them.

ITEM 6 - FAMILY LINKS TENDER

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	A tender for ongoing funding of the Family Links program has been lodged
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	3.1.1.a - Services reviewed and reported on half yearly
Annexures	Nil
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\COMMUNITY SERVICES\GRANTS AND FUNDING\FAMILY LINKS - FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM - CHILD CARE PROJECT - 570723

Recommendation

THAT Council be advised of results of the Family Links tender once a decision is made.

Community Services Manager's REPORT

As previously advised Council’s Family Links Program was extended to December 2014 with tenders called to provide children and parenting support services after that.

Council has prepared and lodged a tender to provide these services from January 2015 valued at over $120,000 per year over a 5 year period.

Tenders will now be assessed by the Department of Social Services for this and a number of other programs and Council hopes to be informed of the outcome within the next three months.

These services have made a big difference to local families and improved the prospects of many young children in identifying and addressing educational and developmental issues early and making them more ready for school.

ITEM 7 - HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE UPDATE

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	To update Council on Home and Community Care matters
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	3.2.2.b - Promote services within Cabonne
Annexures	1. HACC Sydney Overnight Trip Survey results
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\COMMUNITY SERVICES\SERVICE PROVISION\HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE - FOOD SERVICES - 570833

Recommendation

THAT the HACC Service follow up the possibility of constructing a freezer room.

Community Services Manager's REPORT

The outputs for the Cabonne HACC Service for the last financial year are shown below; for 2013-2014 it was funded to provide 13,652 units of meals on wheels and 6,000 hours of social support. Actual outputs were well over the required social support hours and meals on wheels outputs.

2013-2014 MDS Outputs

Quarter	Social Support (hours)	Combined Meals on Wheels & Centre Based Meals (units)
1/7/2013 – 30/9/2013	2,061	3,713
1/10/2013 – 30/12/2013	1,782	3,717
1/1/2014 – 30/3/2014	1,932	4,624
1/4/2014 – 30/6/2014	1,571	4,031
Total:	7,346	16,085

For 2014-2015 the service has been funded for an increase in its outputs: 15,000 for meals on wheels, 500 hours for home maintenance and 6,000 hours for social support.

Community Grants

HACC has recently submitted two grant applications, Community Building Partnership and DSS Aged Care Improvement and Healthy Ageing. If successful the funding will be used to assist with the installation of the freezer room. HACC is also looking at the possibility of selling our two Toyota Camry service vehicles and also using these funds to assist with the project. HACC will then use vehicles from Council’s fleet with HACC paying running costs. The service is still in discussions with the Department of Social Services to confirm this as a possibility.

Improvements to HACC Office

To increase the security for the HACC office Council builders have recently installed a new set of glass doors to the back entrance.

Client Survey Results

A survey to see “How we are meeting your needs” was sent to all clients. Of the 232 surveys that were sent out, Council received 58 back (25% response rate). Most responses were good with only a few suggestions which included:

· Didn’t like the vegetable with the frozen meals

· Lawn mowing wasn’t available when I needed it

· Allow time for shopping on all outings

· Have a list of all services offered in the newsletter

A survey was also sent out to the 30 clients/volunteers who came on our overnight Sydney trip in February. Council received 22 of these back (73% response rate). These results are attached for the committee to view. As the results show it was an excellent trip.

Home Maintenance Service

Although the service has previously provided home maintenance for clients through its social support allocation, it has now received specific home maintenance outputs from the Department of Social Services. These services are subsidised with clients receiving vouchers to assist financially. The services covered include lawn mowing, gardening, gutter cleaning, rose pruning, window washing and yard tidy. With more and more clients requesting the lawn mowing service the service has had to slightly decrease the amount of vouchers given to each client. Last financial year $230 was given out to each client, however this year it has been cut down to $180. There have been a small amount of complaints from clients regarding this reduction.

Overnight Trip

A two night trip, 22-24 October 2014, to the Hawkesbury Valley has been offered to our clients and their carers. This will include a cruise on the Windsor Paddle wheeler, Australiana Village, Tizzana Winery, Ebenezer Church and a few other local attractions. Bookings for this trip open on Monday 4^th August.

ITEM 8 - FAMILY DAY CARE UPDATE

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	To update Council on Family Day Care operations.
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	3.1.1.a - Services reviewed and reported on half yearly
Annexures	1. Monthly Graphs for Council Report
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\COMMUNITY SERVICES\SERVICE PROVISION\FAMILY DAY CARE - FAMILIES AND CARERS - 570823

Recommendation

THAT Cabonne/Blayney Family Day Care continues to provide support and assistance to Educators registered with the Service.

Family Daycare Coordinator's REPORT

The Cabonne/Blayney Family Day Care Service continues to provide quality home based child care for families within the Central Western Region of NSW.

Approximately two hundred and fifty (250) children attend the Service on a weekly basis, accessing child care within a number of rural areas, including Molong, Yeoval, Manildra, Parkes, Canowindra, Orange, Mullion Creek, Millthorpe, Blayney and Portland.

The Family Day Care Service, located at Molong, employs one (1) full time; four (4) part-time and one (1) casual staff member to facilitate this community service. Cabonne Council’s community service trainee also assists with service operations.

Thirty-two (32) home-based Educators are currently registered with the service within the above areas, to deliver child care under the auspice of the Australian Government Early Childhood Education and Care National Law and Regulations.

The service provides support and assistance to family day care educators through monthly support co-ordinator visits, ongoing correspondence, workshops and training events. Bi-monthly evening educator information sessions are held at the Molong office to assist with educator training and development. Guest speakers attend on a regular basis providing information relevant to early childhood education and care. Local presenters have provided workshops in relation to sustainability, workplace health and safety, child behaviour management and educational program and practice.

The service is currently updating the service philosophy and twenty two (22) policies and procedures to align with government regulation. This process involves liaising with all service stakeholders, including educators, families, children, staff and the approved provider of the service, Cabonne Council. Consultation with stakeholders includes meetings, forums and discussion groups. Feed back provided from these consultations forms the basis of the amended policies.

The Prospective Educator Program also has been recently updated with the program now being delivered over a four (4) day period. Prospective educators must meet certain criteria to be selected as an educator with the service. Part of the selection criteria includes the clearance of a working with children check, the attainment of Certificate III in Children’s Services and a current First Aid/Anaphylaxis and asthma certificate. Once selected, the prospective educator attends a four (4) day training course provided by staff at the Molong office.

As part of the Service’s commitment to community partnerships, Family Day Care continues to have strong links with a number of community based services that assist and support families with parenting and well being. Family Day Care aims to strengthen community links to help meet the need of local families and children through networking with Molong One Health Centre, Canowindra Health Centre, Orange ODEEP (outreach centre), Cabonne Family Links, local schools and by attending both the Molong interagency and Blayney interagency quarterly meetings.

The Cabonne/Blayney Family Day Care Service appreciates the full support from Council in consistently supporting the local community needs of families requiring quality home based child care.

Please see the attached graphs in relation to the Family Day Care statistics from 2012 to 2014.

ITEM 9 - WHITE RIBBON DAY

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	The United Services Union has requested Council sponsorship of White Ribbon Day
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	$100.00 from Section 356 vote.
IPR Linkage	4.4.1.c - Provide assistance to community groups
Annexures	1. United Services Union White Ribbon Initiative request for Sponsorship
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT\SPONSORSHIP - DONATIONS\2014 - 570836

Recommendation

THAT Council donate $100.00 to the USU White Ribbon Day Appeal.

Community Transport Coordinator's REPORT

The United Services Union is supporting and promoting the White Ribbon campaign against violence to women and has invited Council to contribute $100.00 and to distribute white ribbons.

White Ribbon Australia is a non-profit organisation and Australia's only national, male-led primary prevention campaign to end men's violence against women by engaging boys and men to lead social change.

White Ribbon Australia seeks to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to and perpetuate men's violence against women, and men and women are encouraged to wear a symbolic white ribbon on 25 November to promote this cause.

No donations to charities have been made to date this year and there remains $7,000 available for this purpose.

ITEM 10 - ANNUAL COMMUNITY TRANSPORT CONFERENCE

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	Invitation for Councillors to attend the Annual Community Transport Conference.
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	1.3.1.a - Implement the Community Transport Program
Annexures	1. Invitation Community Transport Conference 2014
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\COMMUNITY SERVICES\SERVICE PROVISION\COMMUNITY TRANSPORT - 571080

Recommendation

THAT Council consider attending the Annual Community Transport Conference in Canberra.

Community Transport Coordinator's REPORT

Attached to this report is an invitation to Councillors to attend the Annual Community Transport Conference to be held in Canberra on 22, 23 and 24September 2014.

This conference will be covering the changes that are in progress to implement the National Disability Incentive Scheme to be rolled out over the next 3 years.

ITEM 11 - BUSINESS PAPER ITEMS FOR NOTING

REPORT IN BRIEF

Reason For Report	Provides an opportunity for Councillors to call items for noting for discussion and recommends remainder to be noted.
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	4.5.1.g - Code of Meeting Practice adopted and implemented.
Annexures	Nil
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\GOVERNANCE\COUNCIL MEETINGS\PROCEDURES - 571294

Recommendation

THAT:

1. Councillors call any items they wish to further consider.

2. The balance of the items be noted.

General Manager's REPORT

In the second part of the Committee Business Paper are items included for the Committee’s information.

In accordance with Council’s format for the Business Paper, Councillors wishing to discuss any item are requested to call that item.

Reason For Report	To provide Council with an update of the Community Transport Service.
Policy Implications	Nil
Budget Implications	Nil
IPR Linkage	1.3.1.a - Implement the Community Transport Program
Annexures	Nil
File Number	\OFFICIAL RECORDS LIBRARY\COMMUNITY SERVICES\SERVICE PROVISION\COMMUNITY TRANSPORT - 571107