Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Jill Haynes (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Care) and 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 2 May 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 May 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. 

The Chairman highlighted to members that whilst all councils in Dorset were moving into Shadow Council arrangements there would still be the continuation of the County Council.  This would mean there would be separate programmes running which would of course merge as the Council moved nearer to the end of 31 March 2019.  There would still be decisions of the County Council to be made but in the spirit of working together elected members and officers were looking at every item to be considered e.g. policy changes, financial arrangements, etc in order to take them to the most appropriate committee/board for decision. 

Members were advised that in order to free up as much officer and elected member time as possible there could be a reduction in meetings but where items were of significance it might result in longer agendas.  She confirmed that the meeting scheduled for 13 June 2018 had now been cancelled and the items that were due to be considered then would move to the 27 June 2018 Cabinet meeting.

Noted

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Workforce.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Workforce which set out how the County Council would meet its legal duties under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and how it would promote diversity, equality and inclusion as service providers and employers.

It was anticipated that the proposed Dorset Equality Scheme 2018-19 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet member’s report, could provide a useful basis for the new Dorset Council when developing its own equality scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Workforce advised members that the scheme had been shared with a variety of member, community and staff groups and would be monitored by the Corporate Inequalities Group. He highlighted the work ongoing to improve Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) as he felt there was more scope of improved performance and to ensure better decision making.  A Members briefing session was in the process of being arranged for 15 June 2018, to ensure all members were aware and had the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.  Staff training in July and September was also being arranged.

Cllr Croney, supported the proposal and highlighted that within her portfolio area she could assure colleagues that EqIAs were taken very seriously, but accepted there was always room for improvement.  All members of the Cabinet recognised the importance of how EqIAs fed directly into the decisions that were being made.

Following a question about any narrative under the pregnancy and maternity section, the Diversity and Inclusion Officer advised they were anticipating a positive impact in this area, and that she would look at the wording again.

The Chairman highlighted this was an ongoing process to ensure we were keeping up our standards for staff and the residents of Dorset.

Resolved

That the Dorset Equality Scheme, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, be approved, ready for promotion and publication on Dorset For You.

Reason for Decision

Adoption of the Dorset Equality Scheme 2018-19 by Dorset County Council would:

·         Ensure continued compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duties as specified by the Equality Act 2010; and

·         Provide a measurable and accountable framework for the County Council’s work to promote diversity, inclusion and equality, both as service providers and employers.

To consider a joint report by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources.

The Cabinet considered a joint report by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources which included the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix A of the report.  The draft statement provided an overview of the Council’s governance arrangements along with those high risks that were contained in the Councils Corporate Risk Register.  Where weaknesses had been identified, improvement actions were included to strengthen the current arrangements.

Members were informed that final adoption of the AGS would take place alongside the accounts at the Audit and Governance meeting in July 2018.

Cllr Tony Ferrari advised members that the aim of this statement had been to make it more accessible to members of the public.

The Group Manager for Governance and Assurance advised that they had used the helpful feedback provided by Cabinet last year to make this year’s statement more accessible. The report also incorporated the suggested changes from members of the Audit and Governance Committee when they considered the draft at their meeting on 12 March 2018.

Cllr Deborah Croney advised that in respect of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) the timescales had now been met and all work had now been completed to transfer from statements to EHCPs.  They were also continuing to make improvements in this area.

The Chairman noted that the Statement was a good move forward in terms of transparency and of being understandable for residents.

Resolved

That the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix A of the report, as approved in principle by the Audit and Governance Committee on 12 March 2018, be approved in advance of its presentation with the Annual Accounts.

Reason for Decision

Approval and publication of an AGS by the County Council was a statutory requirement and provided evidence that the County Council maintained high standards of governance and addressed significant shortcomings and risks.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings:

The following minutes were received:

Following a question from Cllr Turner regarding sickness rates, officers undertook to provide further information in respect of actual numbers of absence outside of the meeting.

Noted

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on Friday 18 May 2018.

No questions were received from County Councillors.