Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Rebecca Knox, Nick Jarman (Director for Children’s Services) and Jonathan Mair (Service Director, Organisational Development).  Andy Reid (Assistant Director, Education and Learning) and Grace Evans (Legal Services Manager) attended for them.  In the absence of the Chairman, Cllr Jill Haynes chaired the meeting.

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 27 June 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2018 were confirmed and signed following an amendment to Minute 79, Questions from County Councillors. 

Cllr Nick Ireland drew attention to the section that stated that although the age weighted pupil unit (APWU) was identical to any other secondary school in Dorset it was below the national average.  He also added that there were now 3 governors from the County Council working with Budmouth College.

The Cabinet agreed to the addition of the additional wording ‘below the national average’ and for the inclusion of the 3 governors working with the College.

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. 

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

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Education Learning and Skills which advised members of the public consultation that had been carried out to change the provision of a number of maintained schools to establish Special Education Needs (SEN) provision and to change the age range.

Cllr Andrew Parry explained that the proposed changes were to be implemented in order to satisfy the council’s statutory responsibilities.

Following a comment regarding potential concern about the age range being changed from 11 -16 years to 4 – 16 years at the Dorchester and Forum Learning Centre, Cllr Parry confirmed that for any type of education it would be age appropriate.

Members felt that the key benefit from this report was that more specialist education would be provided nearer to homes for children and their families, which was a good news story and one which needed to be actively communicated to the residents of Dorset.

With regards to the consultation, one member asked if this had been advertised in any other form other than what was shown in the report.  The Senior Manager from Education, undertook to look into this and provide further details to members outside of the meeting.

Resolved

1. That the provision of Complex Communication Needs (CCN) Bases at Parley First School and West Moors Middle School from 1 September 2018 be agreed.

2. That the provision of Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Bases at 3 Dorset Learning Centres (Compass, Dorchester and Forum) from 1 September 2018 be agreed.

3. That the change in age range to 4 to 16 at the Dorchester and Forum Learning Centres.

Reason for Decision

1.To enable the above schools to meet the specialist needs of children in Dorset.

2. As assessment of sufficiency determined that these specialist places were required.

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

The Committee considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources which included the refreshed Procurement strategy which provided the opportunity to formalise the approach the Council had adopted of a business partnering approach rather than category management.

Cllr Tony Ferrari explained that this refresh would carry forward to the end of this financial year and would then be taken over by the new Dorset Council.

Resolved

1. That the refreshed Procurement Strategy for Dorset County Council for the remainder of 2018/19 be agreed and the procurement and contract management effectiveness for the new Dorset Council in 2019/20 be supported.

2. That the revised contract management procedures and the development of contract management training be supported.

Reason for Decision

The documents set out key deliverables for the County Council in the transition to the new Dorset Council and underpin much of the future work plan around contract novation, discussion of arrangements with a Christchurch impact and the bringing together of arrangements across the Dorset area into the new Council.

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 which sought approval to amend the current Adopted Highways Policy so that it clearly set out revised delivery options for such works.  The proposed policy amendment would provide additional delivery options to current practice and would provide Dorset County Council with the choice to design and/or construct highway improvements under specific conditions.

Cllr Daryl Turner explained that 2 consultations had been held but limited responses had been received from both.  He made reference to a change in the recommendations in that following discussion with the Shadow Executive Members the Policy would now not be considered by the Shadow Executive Committee at their meeting on 20 July 2018 as they regarded it as a County matter.  The Corporate Director explained that due to a change in the timing of meetings the Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee had not yet considered the policy.

Resolved

That the proposed amendment to the Adopted Highway Policy be agreed.

Reason for Decision

The proposed policy amendment offered the Council, acting as the Local Highway Authority, the discretion to choose from a number of clearly stated delivery options to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of developer-led improvements to the existing highway network.  The end result would have a nil impact on end users (i.e. residents of Dorset and the travelling public) as this proposal related to delivery and process only.

However, the implementation of schemes should be quicker, more cost effective and more effectively controlled.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings:

The following minutes were received:-

Noted

The Cabinet Member for Health and Care advised members that she had attended this meeting and it had been a very good session.  It seemed that the second half of the session, which was now used for networking with partners, was proving very successful.

Cllr Daryl Turner highlighted a couple of references in the minutes to additional staff and asked where they were going to come from.  Cllr Jill Haynes, in her role as Chairman of the Systems Partnership Board, advised that part of their work was ‘workforce’ and work was ongoing to see how much flexibility there was within the system.  It was well known that there was a constant struggle to recruit nurses and social workers, predominantly as a result of the cost of housing in Dorset, but work was ongoing to look at key worker housing to try to address this.

Cllr Steve Butler added that the locality groups of the Health and Wellbeing Board would need to work more closely with the Family Partnership Zones and the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) locality groups in order to create a better organisation that was well placed to deal with local problems. He also highlighted the increased use of the voluntary sector.

Noted

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on 13 July 2018.

No questions were received from County Councillors.

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 93 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 Health and Care.

The Committee considered an exempt report by the Cabinet Member for Health and Care which recommended that procurement commenced for a new Learning Disability Framework in October 2018.  The framework would be in place from 1 April 2019 – 1 April 2024 and would not exceed the value of £128m.

Cllr Jill Haynes explained that this was a long and complex paper and one that would also be on the agenda for the Shadow Executive Committee at their meeting on 20 July 2018. This would be one of the first large spend reports to be considered by them.

Following a question about the number of options that had been considered, the Transformation Programme Lead for the Adult and Community Forward Together Programme advised that it was important that the report set out the options appraisal details in order for the Cabinet to have assurance that the approach taken was based on delivering quality and value for money for Dorset residents. 

The Transformation Programme Lead for the Adult and Community Forward Together Programme explained that the Council was working closely with Bournemouth and Poole councils to align where possible approach and price though as different Fairer Charging Policies applied in the areas this might mean that people may have to pay different amounts towards their care. 

The Cabinet Member for Health and Care highlighted that the aim was to achieve seamless working from children through to adults, trying to ensure that most of the care was provided in Dorset at an affordable price.

Resolved

That subject to consultation with the Shadow Executive Committee on 20 July 2018:

1. The establishment of an Open Framework Agreement for Adult and Children and Young People including Transitions, with Learning Disabilities 2019 as stated in Appendix 1 of the Director’s report, by way of an open tender process be approved.

2. That delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Commissioning (Adult Social Care) in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and the Monitoring Officer, to agree the Invitation to Tender documentation including the terms of the Framework contract and any call off contracts be agreed.

3. That delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Commissioning (Adult Social Care) to award the Framework contracts to the successful tenderers be agreed.

4. That delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Commissioning (Adult Social Care) to continue discussion and enter agreement with Dorset NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and/or Bournemouth and Poole Councils to integrate commissioning and/or contracting where the change makes no change to the financial model for Dorset County Council be agreed.

Reason for Decision

To develop sustainable health and social care services for people with learning difficulties though a contractually compliant route.