Agenda and minutes

To note any changes in membership of the Panel made in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3.

The Panel noted that Councillor Letts was in attendance as a nominated substitute for Councillor R Williams in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 12^th January 2012 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Committee meeting on 12^th January 2012 be approved and signed as a correct record.  (Copy of the minutes circulated with the agenda and appended to the signed minutes).

Report of the Senior Manager – Customer and Business Improvement providing an introduction to Placebook, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Senior Manager – Customer and Business Improvement providing an introduction to Placebook and Business in the Community. (Copy of the report circulated with the agenda and appended to the signed minutes).

Pat Smith, Area Manager for Business in the Community, made presentation that detailed:

• the aims of the organisation were national and local
• the make up of the organisation;
• the roles played by the organisation in linking business to taking a responsible approach to and within the communities they operate in;
• the activities undertaking by the organisation; and
• the value of the royal patronage to the organisation
• The development of a web portal that links businesses and organisations together

Stephen Press and Ross Borman, Directors of Stepacross, made presentation that detailed

·  the Community Interest Company (CIC) aims;

·  how Stepacross supported the Big Society Agenda

·  how Southampton Placebook works and its current set up;

·  identified limitation put on the system by the Internet standards imposed by the Councils website; and

·  Southampton Placebook’s potential to provide intelligence and target resources

RESOLVED that the presentations made by Business in the Community and Stepacross be noted and the information provided be entered into the Inquiry’s file of evidence

Report of the Director, Economic Development providing the Committee with information about some of the resources available locally and nationally for the Big Society, attached.

The Committee noted the report of Director, Economic Development providing the Committee with information about some of the resources available locally and nationally for the Big Society. (Copy of the report circulated with the agenda and appended to the signed minutes).