Minutes of the Children's Services Reference Group

 

 

Meeting Date:     Monday, 16 October 2017

Location:            Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time:                   4.05pm

 

 

The following members were present:

 

Clr Nina Cheyne - Chairperson

Clr Patricia White

Ms Kim Stouse-Lee

Ms Cathy Ryman

Ms Leisa King

Ms Linda Windley

Ms Melissa Wicks

Ms Pam Arnold

 

Others present:

 

Melissa Andrews – Community Development Officer

Liliana Hutchinson – Social Infrastructure Planner

Bonnie Hittman – Social Planner

 

 

  

 

Apologies / Leave of Absence

 

Apologies were received from Clr Gartner, Belinda Hibbert and Julie Parkinson.

 

 

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Linda Windley / Pamela Arnold)

That the Minutes of the Children's Services Reference Group held on Tuesday 02 May 2017 be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

 

PRESENTATION

 

CS17.14     Additional Item - Presentation - Berry District Park

Liliana From Social Infrastructure provided a presentation and handed out information in relation to the Berry District Park.

Moving forward to detailed design.

Now is the time to make comments and take information back to the service providers and make submissions for consideration in the detailed design phase.

Note suggestions:

·         Mud kitchen and sand pit for scenery play for early childhood years

·         Rolling hills and mounds

 

 

 

Reports

 

CS17.12     Planning Session Report

HPERM Ref: D17/253134

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Children’s Services Reference Group:

1.    Receive this report for information.

2.    Review and complete the mapping document attached to this report.

 

RESOLVED (Clr White / Linda Windley)

That the CSRG members, Clrs White, Gartner and Cheyne and the Community Development Officer (Melissa Andrews) meet with the Group Director’s and General Manager to develop a framework and have a discussion on how to move forward with a Memorandum of Understanding.

CARRIED

 

 

CS17.13     Revised Terms of Reference

HPERM Ref: D17/253148

The following points were made:

·         Actively seek out representation from multi-cultural diverse groups

·         Also ask for the Aboriginal Advisory Committee to nominate a representative to be a member of the CSRG to connect the Council Committees

·         Contact AMS and Cullunghutti to advise them of the outcomes of todays meeting

 

Recommendation

That the Children’s Services Reference Group adopt the Terms of Reference with the proposed amendments.

 

Recommendation (By consent)

That:

1.      The Children’s Services Reference Group adopt the Terms of Reference with the proposed amendments; and

2.      Insert a note to read as follows: Community representatives that do not attend three (3) meeting without an apology will be sent a reminder/courtesy letter advising that their membership will lapse unless they confirm their membership in writing.

CARRIED

      

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

CS17.15     Additional Item - Membership and Terms of Reference

Based on the previous resolution of 2 May 2017 which advised the following:

That:

1.    An audit of the membership take place and any vacancies that arise, expressions of interest be called through the Community Development Networks

Vacancies have been identified and the committee discussed possible areas where the vacancies can be filled.

·         Families NSW (0-5)

·         A member of the ACG

·         Invite Primary Schools – Local Area Council representative from Primary Schools (Can give feedback to all the schools)

 

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the current vacancies be filled by way of invitation through the Community Development, Children’s Services Database.

CARRIED

 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

CS17.16     Additional Item - Shoalhaven Preschool Art Expo

Kim Stouse-Lee advised that the Shoalhaven Preschool is holding an Art Expo on 28 October 2017 at 10.30am. This is a free event and celebrating Children’s Art.

Early Learning STEM Australia Project which Shoalhaven and Bomaderry preschools are taking part in.

 

 

CS17.17     Additional Item - Children's Week and Prosperity in the Park

Melissa Andrews handed out a Children’s Week activities flyer. This will be pushed through social media and members are encouraged to advise others in their network.

Prosperity in the Park (Parramatta Park) flyer was handed out and passed onto families. Council will have a stall to consult with the public regarding the learn to ride facility.

 

 

CS17.18     Additional Item - Nowra CBD - Christmas Promotion

Clr White advised the Committee of the following promotion taking part in the Nowra CBD over the Christmas period:

·         Christmas CBD decorations – Council along with the Nowra CBD Committee, will be having a big Christmas promotion

·         Over 100 shops have committed to putting Christmas trees and lights in windows

·         A prize for up to 13 years of age for a tree guessing competition with vouchers as a prize.

·         In the old Spotlight Building there will be dedicated space, shop window and we are seeking artwork/decorations from Children from local schools etc. The streets will be decorated with wreaths and flags and lights, on 21st night will have a community BBQ in the CBD to look at the decorations etc

·         Clr White will forward EOI details to Committee members

 

 

CS17.19     Additional item - Early Childhood Australia

Linda Windley advised the Committee that Early Childhood Australia (south coast network) holding a meeting at Shoalhaven Community Preschool at 5.45pm on 25 October 2017.

 

 

CS17.20     Additional Item - PPP - Parenting Programs

Pam Arnold advised the Committee that the PPP Parenting Programs are running focused on ages 0-12 and due to the high demand are considering hosting another course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5.38pm.

 

 

Clr Nina Cheyne

CHAIRPERSON