Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Steve Butler, Mike Harries (Director for Environment and the Economy), and Debbie Ward (Chief Executive).  Andrew Martin (Service Director – Highways and Emergency Planning) attended for Mike Harries.

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

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 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 changes were noted:

• July 2017 – Fostering Business Improve and Support Programme.
• September 2017 – Special Educational Needs and Disability – Written Statement of Action and Capacity Update
• November 2017 – Direction of Travel and Programme for Care and Protection.

It was noted that each of the items were being considered by the respective Overview and Scrutiny Committees except for the Fostering item, which was urgent due to the nature of the business case that needed to be brought to the Cabinet for decision, although this had been considered by the Fostering Panel. Cllr Croney also confirmed that the Executive Advisory Panel on Forward Together for Children’s Services would be holding a meeting soon to discuss areas within the directorate’s programme.

General comments were expressed about the role of Overview and Scrutiny Committees in being able to scrutinise items prior to Cabinet decisions being made. It was confirmed that all Overview and Scrutiny Committees monitored the Cabinet Forward Plan and could scrutinise any matters they wished on the way through the decision making process.  It was agreed that a meeting between Cabinet members and Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the committees would be held to discuss the current arrangements, including policy making, and to ensure the right level of engagement with councillors.  It was also suggested that there may be too few meetings of the committees, to which it was confirmed that more meetings could be arranged as needed.

Resolved

1. That the items in the minute above be added to the Cabinet’s Forward Plan.

2. That a meeting between Cabinet members and Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the overview and scrutiny committees be arranged, as outlined in the minute above.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings:

The Cabinet considered the following minutes from Panels and Boards:

Cllr Ferrari and Cllr Turner provided summaries of the meeting, which included positive feedback on the budget position and service delivery. 

Noted

To consider a report by the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Leader of the Council on the County Council’s outcome based Corporate Plan 2017/18, together with data relating to indicators for the four outcomes in the Plan.  The Cabinet also received a presentation from officers on the draft Plan, the vision for the Council, the Outcomes Framework, Population Indicators, and the monitoring of performance indicators through the Outcomes Tracker.

Councillors discussed the content of the report, and asked about the provision of up to date information throughout the report in order to inform decision making on a monthly basis rather than some content being up to six months old.  It was confirmed that the data used throughout the report was provided by services directly, which informed the live Outcomes Tracker.  However, it was clarified that some of the population level information was reported less frequently.  More information would be provided on population and performance indicators as the use of the Tracker increased over time.

It was also suggested that benchmarking information needed to be as balanced as possible in order to compare Dorset’s performance with other authorities, such as the Delayed Transfers of Care which were higher due to the large number of hospitals within the County. Officers clarified that the benchmark information provided a guide to the national picture (or other relevant benchmark) and it was necessary to consider the background to many areas due to causes, forces, geography and infrastructure.

Cllr Knox highlighted the need for the visibility of population indicators under each of the Corporate Aims to reflect the level of investment and whether this was proportionate to meet each outcome.  Officers agreed to support the development of these linkages.  It was also noted that there was an outcome delivery strategy being produced for each outcome and that these would help to ensure that both population indicators and corresponding financial information would provide better visibility to enable challenge, and the development of the strategies.

In relation to the role of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, it was recognised that performance reports were considered by each committee and that a number of current scrutiny activities had been commissioned.  It was suggested that scrutiny topics needed to ensure that the work reflected the efforts of partners as necessary, such as the forthcoming Task and Finish Group on Road Traffic Collisions which would also be a priority for the Community Safety Partnership.  It was noted that a scoping report on this topic would be considered by the Safeguarding Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 6 July 2017.

It was agreed that a discussion should be held between the Cabinet and Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Overview and Scrutiny Committees to explore the best ways to link scrutiny with priorities, outcomes and performance.

The Chairman of the Council welcomed the report as a vast improvement of previous iterations of the Corporate Plan and performance monitoring.

RECOMMENDED

That the County Council be recommended to approve the draft Corporate Plan at Appendix A of the Leader’s report (attached as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet member for Community and Resources which provided the first update of the new financial year, and the national and local issues impacting on the County Council’s finances to be taken into account when developing the three-year MTFP from 2018/19 to 2020/21.  The report also summarised information for consideration by the Audit and Governance Committee on 24 July 2017 related to the 2016/17 outturn, balances at 31 March 2017, and the most recent 2017/18 forecast of outturn.

Cllr Ferrari introduced the report and summarised the outturn position from 2016/17 which included significant overspends for Children’s and Adults Services.  He then provided an overview of the forecasted budgets for the Council for 2017/18 which indicated that there were projected overspends in both children’s and adults services again.  He also drew attention to the new practices in the finance team which resulted in a greater level of financial information being available at this point in the financial year, and congratulated officers for their hard work.

The Cabinet recognised that the projected overspends were due to a number of complex areas, but that progress was being made to identify ways of delivering a balanced budget by the end of the year.  However, it was noted that the projected overspend in Children’s Services was a clear area of concern due to the significant increased projection in comparison to the previous year. The number of children looked after, Special Educational Needs transport, agency workers, and the number of foster carers were highlighted as contributory factors in the potential overspend, and it was noted that a report on fostering would be considered by the Cabinet on 19 July 2017.

In addition to the areas discussed above, it was noted that the Budget Strategy Task and Finish Group would be re-established to consider the ongoing budget position.

The Chief Financial Officer also took the opportunity to outline the discussion held by the One Council group on 27 June 2017, to look at options over the next couple of weeks to develop recovery plans.  He also confirmed that when the plans were in place it would be necessary to look corporately at how to address the budget gap in order to deliver a balanced budget. 

Resolved

1. That the unaudited outturn position for 2016/17, including the respective underspends and overspends within service Directorates be noted.

2. That the Directors’ early estimates included in the forecast of outturn for the current year and the operational reasons causing the Council to diverge from the balanced budget agreed by the County Council in February 2017 be noted.

3. That the starting position for the current MTFP and budget round including the level and adequacy of balances on the general fund be noted.

4. That the latest, savings expectations from the Forward Together programme be noted.

5. That the proposals to consider an increase in the flexible use of capital receipts, subject to formal approval to be brought to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

To consider the following recommendations:

The Cabinet considered the following recommendations:

To consider a recommendation from the Regulatory Committee meeting held on 1 June 2017.

Recommendation 36 - Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan (DTEP) - Proposed waiting restrictions in High West Street/ High East Street, Dorchester

Cllr Turner introduced the recommendation and summarised the history of the proposal in the context of DTEP.  He also confirmed that the local members had been consulted and were in support of the recommendation.

In relation to the proposed changes to Glyde Path Road, it was suggested that further consideration should be given to the use of the road for cyclists.  The Head of Highways and Emergency Planning undertook to clarify the position outside of the meeting.

Further discussion related to the availability of disabled parking, noting that due to increased pedestrianisation there would be less disabled parking access. A suggestion was made for improvements for increased disabled access, but it was clarified that through consultation there had been no objections to the proposed changes.

Although the Cabinet supported the recommendation, it was suggested that consideration be given by the Regulatory Committee to enhancing the use of shared space, consideration of cycling, and the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity when considering this type of proposal.

Resolved

That the waiting and loading restrictions for High West Street and High East Street, Dorchester, be approved as advertised.

Reason for Decision

The proposals would allow construction of a disabled access to the Shire Hall Heritage Centre without obstructing through flow of pedestrians on the footway and improve the flow of traffic in the high street at peak periods which should provide some improvement to air quality.

To consider a recommendation from the Regulatory Committee meeting held on 1 June 2017.

Recommendation 37 - Proposed Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting - Various Roads, Wimborne

The Cabinet noted that the local members had been consulted on the recommendation.

Resolved

That the proposed prohibition and restriction of waiting on various roads in Wimborne, be approved as advertised.

Reason for Decision

The proposals would remove the current inconsiderate and dangerous parking situation at the roundabout and the junctions of Cranfield Avenue, Rowlands Hill, Royston Drive and St John’s Hill and would contribute to the Corporate Policy outcomes enabling people to be safe and prosperous.

To consider a recommendation from the Regulatory Committee meeting held on 1 June 2017.

Recommendation 38 - Proposed Toucan Crossing - East Road, Bridport

The Cabinet welcomed the recommendation, and recognised the wider improvement scheme around East Road Roundabout, and that the crossing would link West Bay to the south and Bradpole to the north, with the longer term aspiration of providing a trailway link northwards.  It was also acknowledged that the local members fully supported the recommendation.

Resolved

That the provision of a Toucan Crossing, for East Road Bridport, be approved as advertised.

Reason for Decision

The proposals should allow the provision of controlled Toucan crossing facilities on East Road without adversely affecting traffic flows in the vicinity of the roundabout.

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on 23 June 2017.

No questions were received from County Councillors.

At the end of the meeting the Leader of the Council took the opportunity to inform councillors that work was being undertaken across partners in Dorset in the light of the recent fire at Grenfell Tower. It was noted that a statement would be issued regarding the partnership working later in the day.