Meeting documents

An apology was received from Jonathan Mair (Service Director – Organisational Development (Monitoring Officer)).  Grace Evans (Legal Services Manager) attended the meeting for Jonathan Mair.

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 4 April 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2018 were confirmed and signed.

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.  Following withdrawal of an item from the agenda relating to the Alternative Provision Strategy, it was noted that the report would not be reported to the Cabinet for decision at this stage.

Members were informed that there was a need to make sure that the Forward Plan was used for business-critical issues and decisions which were statutorily needed by the Cabinet. This focus was strengthened by the need to spend time taking the Council forward as part of Local Government Reorganisation into the new Dorset Council.  It was further noted that consideration would be given to decisions needed by the Cabinet and those required by the new Shadow Executive, and a report would be considered by the Organisational Transformation Board on 15 May 2018. 

Noted

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills on the closure of Goslings Nursery at the Somerford Primary School due to the level of use and sustainability, and reduction in age range at the School from 3-11 years to 4-11 years.  The proposal followed full statutory consultation in accordance with the DFE Guidance on prescribed alterations to a maintained school – April 2016.

It was further explained that the nursery was undersubscribed at 18 users when the site required over 30 to be sustainable and there was a downward trajectory for the number of users.  In addition, there was no lunch provision and another locally run nursery was available and could expand as required.  It was therefore necessary to make changes as the school was currently subsidising the nursery with funding that should be directed towards the national curriculum.

Local member engagement had taken place with Cllr David Jones since February 2018, although this had not been expressly identified on the cover of the Cabinet member’s report.

Resolved

1. That the closure of the Local Authority Maintained nursery unit at the Somerford Primary School be agreed.

2. That the reduction in the aged range of the Somerford Primary School from 3-11 to 4-11 provision be agreed.

Reasons for Decisions

1. An appropriately constituted consultation had taken place under the Department for Education - ‘Making Prescribed Alterations to maintained schools’ – April 2016.

2. An assessment of sufficiency had determined that there were sufficient places in the area.

3. The Local Authority was satisfied that the provision as constituted was not viable financially.

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment in relation to the leadership approach to the management of transport through an Operator’s Licence Policy for organisations that operated goods and passenger vehicles. This would ensure appropriately documented instructions, policies and procedures to meet the Council’s Operator Licence statutory undertakings.

Cllr Turner also suggested that an additional recommendation be added to the report to read ‘That delegated authority be granted to the Service Director for Highways and Emergency Planning, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment, to make any minor changes to the policy as required’.  Any minor changes that included a financial impact would also be shared with the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources as necessary.

Resolved

1. That the Operator’s Licence policy (attached to the Cabinet Member’s report) that will provide a clear leadership approach to transport operations as recommended by Freight Transport Association, the Traffic Commissioners Office and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), be approved.

2. That delegated authority be granted to the Service Director for Highways, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment, to make any minor changes to the policy as required. 

Reason for Decision

To support key corporate outcomes ‘Safe’, ‘Prosperous’, ’Independent’ and ‘Healthy’.

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment.

The Cabinet was informed that the item was withdrawn from the agenda and that a briefing note would be sent to all councillors outside of the meeting.  A suggestion was made that there needed to be appropriate coordination between Dorset councils.

Resolved

1. That the report be withdrawn from the agenda.

2. That a briefing note would be circulated to all councillors outside of the meeting to explain how the matter would be dealt with.

3. That delegated authority be granted to the Service Director – Economy, Natural and Built Environment, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment, to agree the final submission.

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment on the Dorset Growth Deal programme for transport scheme funding to deliver jobs and homes along the A338 and B3073 corridor, which included contributions to the improvement of Hurn roundabout and Blackwater junction improvements as part of the programme.  The report addressed the need for prioritisation of improvement of Parley Cross and Blackwater junctions as an important part in the efficient operation of the transport corridor, economic growth and housing delivery.  Further information on the projects in the programme were circulated prior to the meeting and were made available online.

The Cabinet was informed that the Bournemouth International Growth (BIG)Programme Steering Group supported the proposal, and that in addition to the Council’s commitment to move funds, the Local Enterprise Partnership was committed to move funds to switch the priority of the projects.  Cllr Butler, as a local member, explained that the improvements to the Parley Cross junction would fit well with the East Dorset Local Plan and housing development in the locality.

As part of a master plan, there would be coordinated arrangements in place to address the implications on traffic and congestion throughout the periods of the works, and that works would be timed appropriately to not coincide with busy periods such as the summer holiday period.  However, there was still the possibility of multiple works being undertaken by other organisations although efforts would be made to include these in the coordinated arrangements.

It was suggested that a communications and engagement plan would be required for local members when the works were underway, to which it was confirmed that a plan was being developed and would be in place in addition to ongoing engagement with representatives of other partners councils on the BIG Steering Group.

Resolved

1. That an enhanced, reduced cost improvement scheme to the existing Hurn roundabout that avoids the needs for third party land be approved.

2. That the corporate funds from the delivery of the Hurn roundabout improvement be switched to delivery of a Parley Cross eastern link road and Parley Cross junction.

3. That commitment to corporate funds and to forward fund developer contributions for the improvement of Blackwater junction and A338 widening, subject to being repaid via agreement between the two new authorities, be reaffirmed.

Reasons for Decisions

1. Funds would be used more effectively to improve more junctions along the B3073 corridor to give a wider network benefit to residents and businesses in the area. Delivery of cost effective transport infrastructure including road, cycle and walking links along this corridor would meet the corporate aims to encourage economic growth through the provision of housing and jobs, and enable safe, accessible, healthier communities.

2. To ensure current commitments are kept and future Dorset funding bids are supported by the LEP.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings:

The following minutes were received and recommendation considered:

Noted

Noted

Recommendation 12 - Proposed Consultation Proposal on Setting up Social Emotional Health and Complex Communication Needs Resource Provision.

Draft Alternative Provision Strategy

In relation to the recommendation 13 in the minutes, it was reported that more work was required in relation to the Alternative Provision Strategy as there had been significant developments on provision outside of mainstream education. The recommendation in the minutes was therefore not considered at the meeting.

Proposed Consultation Proposal on setting up Social Emotional Mental Health and Complex Communication Needs Resource Provision

With regard to a recommendation at minute 12 of the Executive Advisory Panel minutes, members considered the consultation arrangements following previous approval by the Cabinet on 4 April 2018 to commit to extra provision in this area.

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting be endorsed, and the recommendation approved.

Recommendation 12 - Proposed Consultation Proposal on setting up Social Emotional Mental Health and Complex Communication Needs Resource Provision

Recommended

That the Cabinet be asked to approve that a ‘Statutory Process’ 6-week consultation be undertaken in May-June 2018.

Reason for Recommendation

This was a statutory requirement for a Local Authority who wished to add SEN places to an existing provision.

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on 27 April 2018.

No questions were received from County Councillors.