Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Andrew Cattaway (Chairman of the Council), Cllr Hilary Cox (Vice-Chairman of the Council), Cllr Robin Cook, Cllr Colin Jamieson, and David Phillips (Director of Public Health).

There were no declarations by members of disclosable pecuniary interests under the Code of Conduct.

In relation to minute 56a, Mike Harries (Director for Environment and Economy) reminded members of his personal interest in respect of the Dorchester Transportation and Environment Plan as he lived within the area affected by the wider programme. The programme was not discussed in detail and Mike Harries remained in the meeting.)

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2017 were confirmed and signed.

a)         Public Speaking

b)         Petitions

Public Speaking

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1).

There were no public statements received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

Petitions

There were no petitions received at the meeting in accordance with the County Council’s Petition Scheme.

The Cabinet considered the draft Forward Plan, which identified key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet on or after the next meeting.  The following additions were noted:

·           Prevention at Scale – 7 June 2017

·           Care South Contract Arrangements – 7 June 2017

·           Special Education Needs Contingency Funding – 7 June 2017

Resolved

That the Forward Plan be noted, and updated to include the items listed above.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings:

The Cabinet received the minutes of the following meetings:

Noted

Cllr Deborah Croney, Cabinet Member for Learning, Skills and Children’s Safeguarding, provided an update on the areas considered by the Executive Advisory Panel on Forward Together for Children Services which had undertaken a review of progress in relation to the transformation of youth services across Dorset.  In particular, it was reported that issues relating to the Corfe Mullen and Blandford Youth Centres were being progressed, with the Corfe Mullen centre now planned to open after Easter, and some outstanding issues were being resolved at the Blandford centre.  It was noted that the Council had played a facilitation role in enabling issues to be resolved and the progress was welcomed by the Cabinet.

It was also noted that information would be made available in relation to the use of the fund to enable the transformation of the youth service, with £187.5k that had been carried forward 2017/18.

A further meeting of the Panel would be arranged in due course.

Noted

Recommendation 9 – Future Roles and Working of the Health and Wellbeing Board

Cllr Rebecca Knox, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Communities, highlighted the changes to be made to the way the Health and Wellbeing Board operated in order to focus on the Prevention at Scale outcomes that it was responsible for.  The changes were welcomed by members, and it was also recognised that there was a need to ensure that reports were prepared and written in plain English so that the language used could be understood by all partner organisations and the wider public, together with the best use of data available from Public Health to evidence decisions based on performance, risk and cost.

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting be received and the following recommendation be approved.

Recommendation 9 - Future Roles and Working of the Health and Wellbeing Board

That the County Council’s Cabinet be asked to agree the revised Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix 3 of the Board’s report.

Reason for Recommendation

To ensure that the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Board was best placed to take a people and place-based view of how the changes proposed in the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, particularly around Prevention at Scale and Integration, would work for people in Dorset.

To consider a report by the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Leader of the Council on a review of the Forward Together Programme and the expectations that have been, and would continue to be, placed on the Council through the Programme.  The review enabled learning from experiences so far, to share the successes and support the development of a strong plan for what the Programme and future change machinery needed to be for the future.

The Chief Executive provided a comprehensive presentation on the background, achievements in transforming services whilst saving £50m and reducing staff by 30% since 2013, the review of the Forward Together Programme in order to learn and develop the programme for the future, the risks facing the programme, and the next steps to strengthen the programme.  Particular attention was drawn to governance, risk and financial management, and communication and engagement.  The Chief Executive also highlighted that despite the huge challenges faced by staff and services, there was an understanding and drive to transform and improve, which had led to continual awards and achievements, which included being shortlisted for two Municipal Journal Awards for Behaviour Change (Public Health Dorset) and E-court bundling (Legal Services), and a commendation for Children's Services in the category Impact and Learning in Children's Services.

Members discussed the development of Forward Together, and it was recognised that there was still a huge amount of work to do to strengthen the programme, especially in relation to the risks faced.  However, the Cabinet paid tribute to the hard work, commitment and dedication of staff since 2013, especially regarding the innovation and transformation of services to improve in the face of increasing demands on capacity, and supported the steps and direction of the programme to further develop and meet the challenges for future years.

Resolved

That the finding of the review and proposals for strengthening the work of the Forward Together Board be noted.

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Learning, Skills and Children’s Safeguarding.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Learning, Skills and Children’s Safeguarding as an update on the progress made so far in the Syrian Resettlement Programme and to consider the potential for expansion to the end of the national programme in 2020.

Cllr Deborah Croney, Cabinet Member for Learning, Skills and Children’s Safeguarding, highlighted the importance of refugee resettlement, especially in the light of recent events in Syria.  Members collectively expressed their support for the programme and the need to protect the most vulnerable.  It was acknowledged that the programme was fully funded by Government, although lobbying was continuing with Government regarding the programme for Asylum Seeking Children, and the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Programme would see up to seven families arrive by the end of 2017, and a further 12 families per year until 2020 based on the availability of suitable housing.

Cabinet Members were also updated in relation to the wider regional position with regard to the programme and it was noted that there was support provided by South West Councils, together with a collective ambition from councils to learn from experiences and work together coherently across administrative boundaries.

Resolved

1. That the current work and joint work with other local authorities and partners be supported.

2. That the resettlement of up to 12 families per year to the end of the programme in 2020 be approved.

Reason for Decisions

The Government was keen for all local authorities to play their part and Dorset had been asked about resettlement plans to the end of 2020 by the Home Office and a response was required as soon as possible.

To consider the following recommendations:

The Cabinet considered the following recommendations from Committees:

To consider a recommendation from the Regulatory Committee meeting held on 16 March 2017.

Recommendation 14 - Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan (DTEP) - Proposed Turning Movement Bans at South Gate Junction, Dorchester

(Note: Mike Harries (Director for Environment and Economy) reminded members of his personal interest in respect of the DTEP as he lived within the area affected by the wider programme. The programme was not discussed in detail and Mike Harries remained in the meeting.)

Resolved

That having considered the objection and representations received, the proposed prohibition of turning movements as advertised, be approved.

Reason for Decision

The proposals would allow relocation of the controlled pedestrian crossing on South Walks Road considerably nearer to the desired route for most pedestrians and contribute towards the overall DTEP scheme objections of increasing pedestrian priority and freedom, and improving access for the elderly and disabled.

To consider a recommendation from the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 20 March 2017.

Recommendation 21 - Quality and Cost of Care - Inquiry Day

The Inquiry day was welcomed as a new type of scrutiny activity, which promoted discussion between members, service users and service providers, and was used in a positive and productive way to develop two further workstreams to contribute to improvements in the quality and cost of care.  Members supported the use of the inquiry day and the continued focus on the cost and quality of care, and highlighted the need to ensure that the overview and scrutiny function use these and other events designed to engage and work with users, providers, and partners.

Resolved

1.  That the outcomes from the Inquiry Day in the cost and quality of care as set out in the interim Director’s report be noted.

2.  That the discussions outlined in the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 20 March 2017 be noted and the Committee’s resolutions be supported.

3.  That the use of inquiry days, and more flexible engaging events, as part of the overview and scrutiny function be supported.

Reason for Decisions

To promote independence and build on good practice to meet the predictable and growing challenges around the costs and quality of care in Dorset in years to come.

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on 31 March 2017.

The Cabinet received a question from Cllr Clare Sutton to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Highways in relation to 20mph zones.  A copy of the question and answer are attached to these minutes as an annexure.

To consider passing the following resolution:

To agree that in accordance with Section 100 A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting in relation to the business specified below it is likely that if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Resolved

That in accordance with Section 100 A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting in relation to the business specified in minute 59 as it was likely that if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

To consider an exempt report by the Cabinet Member for Adult Health, Care and Independence.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Adult Health, Care and Independencein relation to a temporary loan for a local cultural organisation to pursue an ambitious scheme with major funding allocated in principle by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). It was noted that the HLF funding was conditional on the organisation securing pledges for 90% of the remaining funds from other sources by May 2017 and had approached the Council for a temporary loan facility to bridge any gaps between fundraising income and project budget expenditure.

The Chairman and Director of the organisation attended the meeting and provided a summary of the initiatives within the scheme to secure the funding in the pledges, which provided the Cabinet with confidence regarding the temporary loan.  It was also clarified that the Chief Financial Officer had no objection to the loan facility.

Cllr Peter Wharf expressed his support for the project.  He also reinforced the need for an appointment to be made to the role following the forthcoming elections in May 2017, and suggested that the appointed member be responsible for monitoring the progress of the scheme in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Adult Health, Care and Independence.

Resolved

1.  That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Financial Officer to make available a loan facility to the local cultural organisation of up to £2.7 million for the purpose and on the terms set out in this report after consultation with the Cabinet Members for Adult Health, Care and Independence and Organisational Development and Transformation.

2.  That the exercise of the delegation be subject to approval of a grant and loan by West Dorset District Council and further work by the organisation’s Board on risk and mitigation which is judged to be robust and reasonable by the Chief Financial Officer and Cabinet Member for Transformation and Organisational Development.

3.  That the organisation has agreed to provide quarterly updates on progress and that a progress report will be made to the Cabinet in six months.

Reasons for Decisions

To enable a local charitable organisation to proceed with a valuable project attracting significant external funding to Dorset which would contribute to achieving the desired outcomes of a healthy community and a prosperous economy.

Cllr Robert Gould, as the Leader of the Council, confirmed that the meeting was the last Cabinet meeting before the County Council elections to be held on 4 May 2017.  He paid tribute to Cabinet members and their efforts to deliver services and transform the way the Council worked though the current term.  He also thanked staff for supporting members during the life of the Council.