Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Keith Day, Lesley Dedman, Peter Hall, Colin Jamieson, Steven Lugg, Margaret Phipps, Bill Pipe, Mark Roberts, and Debbie Ward (Chief Executive).

To appointment a Vice-Chairman for the remainder of the year 2018/19.

The Chairman invited nominations for Vice-Chairman of the County Council. 

Cllr David Shortell was proposed by Cllr Andrew Parry, which was seconded by Cllr Pauline Batstone.

Cllr Janet Dover was proposed by Cllr Nick Ireland, which was seconded by Cllr Susan Jefferies.

On being put to the vote Cllr David Shortell was duly appointed.

Resolved

That Cllr David Shortell be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the County Council for the remainder of 2018/19.

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 26 April 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2018 were confirmed and signed.

Public Speaking

There was one public question received at the meeting from Mr Rob Pearce, Equality Group Dorset, in accordance with Standing Order 21(1) in relation to the Equality Trust manifesto.  The question and answer are attached as an annexure to these minutes.

There was one public statement received at the meeting from Dr Richard Sloan, Chair of West Dorset Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, in accordance with Standing Order 21(2) in relation to the Motor Neurone Disease Charter. The statement is attached as an annexure to these minutes.

Petitions

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

The Chairman reported that she had attended a range of invents including:

·         A Syrian Refugee Event;

·         Royal visits (HRH Prince Charles to reopen the Bridport Literary and Scientific Institute building, the Princess Royal to the Tank Museum at Bovington, and the Duke of Gloucestershire at an exhibition at the Nothe Fort in Weymouth);

·         Long service award celebrations at Kingston Maurward;

·         The Local Government Association conference; and,

·         Citizenship ceremonies

It was also announced that a final long service award and farewell event for the County Council would be held on 29 March 2019.

The Leader of the Council reported on the following issues facing the Council, and invited questions from all members:

Thank You

The Leader thanked Cllr Deborah Croney for her work and commitment to the role of  Cabinet Member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills.  She had recently stood down and Cllr Andrew Parry was welcomed as her successor.

Future delivery of services.

Attention was drawn to the increased use of social media to highlight the Council's increasing role with partners in local government reform and the future delivery of services for residents based community involvement.

Awards

The Council had received a number of awards which provided national recognition and prominence.  These included the Dorset Armed Forces Health and Wellbeing Project, Durlston Country Park's Parks for People Programme and the four Green Flag awards for Dorset country parks.

Programmes

A number of programmes were highlighted including the Children in Care Council information pack created by young people, the support for out of county placements and the reduction of travel times agreed by Cabinet, and the recent LGBT lottery event which was attended by staff from the Fostering Team.

LGA Conference

There had been a real change in emphasis for local government priorities with. Ministers reflecting on the social care agenda, both for children and adults.  The Minister for Local Government was clearly aware of Dorset and this reflected well on the work by officers and partners. 

To consider a report by the Chief Executive.

The Council considered a report by the Chief Executive on the progress of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.  The Monitoring Officer explained that the Structural Change Order was in place to enable the transition of the County Council and the other 8 Councils in Dorset to form two new councils. The report provided details of the three phases of the LGR programme: The creation of the 2 new councils through the order; the delivery of safe and legal services from 1 April 2019; and the designing of the new councils. The first meetings of the Shadow Dorset Council had been held on 7 June 2018 (when Cllr Cox had been elected Chairman of the Shadow Council) and the Shadow Executive on 18 June 2018 (when Cllr Knox had been elected as Shadow Executive Leader).

Two Judicial Reviews were under way and at different stages: one by Christchurch Borough Council which was to be heard in the High Court on 30 July 2018 with an anticipated outcome the same day; and the second from an individual (a decision was awaited on whether this challenge would be given permission to proceed).   The County Council had asked for the second challenge to be expedited if permission to proceed was granted.

Cllr David Jones stated that Christchurch Borough Council had been made aware that the Judge was minded to reserve judgement on a decision and that this might not be made until the beginning of August 2018.  The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Council had not had any contact with the Judge and that it was not unusual for judgements to be reserved.

Cllr Richard Biggs, whilst welcoming the increased pace of LGR, asked whether the Group established to look at Brexit had met, given the need to establish Brexit's impact on organisations, goods and services.  The Leader explained that the County Council had little influence on Brexit, but agreed that it needed to be aware of the position going forward. A group of members and officers were meeting regularly and this work covered both Dorset and the region.

Cllr David Jones, in the light of the Judicial Review, abstained from supporting the approach being taken.

Noted

To consider a report by the Chief Executive.

The Council considered a report by the Chief Executive on the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) consultation on the future electoral arrangements for the new Dorset Council to be implemented from the elections on 2 May 2019.  The Monitoring Officer introduced the report and summarised the work of the Boundary Review Task and Finish Group, chaired by Cllr Spencer Flower, which had consulted members of all Dorset area councils on the future electoral arrangements which had largely been reflected in the consultation document by the LGBCE.

A number of concerns were raised in opposition to the recommendations within the LGBCE consultation in relation to the ward boundaries suggested for the Chickerell, Weymouth and Portland area as follows:

·         A preference was expressed for single member wards. Alternative proposals had been included in the consultation feedback in the submission in May 2018.

·         A democratic deficit, and the ability for local members to represent a logistically smaller area as the three-member divisions would have close to 11k electors.

·         There was disregard for the most important of the LGBCE review criteria: community interests and identity.  This was particularly evident in boundaries affecting Upwey, Littlemoor, Broadmayne, Corfe Road, Manor Road, Chickerell, area of Lanehouse, Wyke, Portland Tophill, Portland Underhill, Bincombe.

·         Polling districts should be amended where needed to find the right community fit.

·         Cllr Harris made a request to amend the first recommendation in the Chief Executive’s report for the Chickerell, Weymouth and Portland area to be reviewed again.  This amendment was seconded by Cllr Kate Wheller.

·         Multi-member wards would discriminate against independent candidates and smaller political groups at elections.

·         The effectiveness of individual members in multi-member wards was influenced by fellow ward councillors who were less active.

·         Local councillors are the people who know their communities.

·         Local resident’s awareness of which electoral ward they were in.

·         Assumptions in the consultation document were incorrect.

·         There were housing developments that would adversely impact the mapping in some areas, particularly in the Linden Lea area.

·         The role of the councillor would be increased due to the reduction in tiers of local government and large numbers of electors in comparison to the size of former district/borough wards.

·         There would be more pressure on Town and Parish Councils to deal with representations made by the public.

·         There would be more call on members to receive higher allowances.

·         Many of the concerns raised were shared at the consultation roadshow of the Boundary Review Task and Finish Group in April 2018.

Counter views in support of the recommendations were expressed by other members, particularly in relation to:

·         Time had been taken carefully to look at the criteria of the LGBCE and adhering to the criteria, including community identity.

·         Multi-member wards across the county worked well and strengthen local democracy.

·         Small amendments had been made to the warding pattern as a result of the consultation roadshows undertaken by the Task and Finish Group.

·         The warding in Weymouth and Portland was in line with the approach taken across the Dorset area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

The Chairman of the Council, Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members, or chairmen of appropriate committees to answer questions on any business not covered on this agenda, including any questions on the discharge of the functions of the Fire Authority.  The closing date for the receipt of questions is 10.00am on 16 July 2018.  This item is limited to 45 minutes.

There were no questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 20.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 2 May 2018 be adopted.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 23 May 2018 be adopted.

Medium Term Financial Plan

In relation to minute 73, Cllr Richard Biggs asked how the closure of Maumbury House and children now being placed out of county would reduce pressures on budgets.  The Cabinet Member for Safeguarding explained that residents of Maumbury House were now in foster care.  Children with significant needs continued to be placed out of county but work to increase the number of foster carers was underway so that these children could be looked after within Dorset in future.

Schools in Weymouth

In relation to minute 79 Cllr Jon Orrell referred to the reduction of standards within two secondary schools in Weymouth and asked whether any lessons could be learned from this with a view to supporting schools in vulnerable areas in future to ensure this did not recur.  The Cabinet Member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills explained that it was important for members to have a clear understanding of the reasons for the downgrading by Ofsted of Budmouth College and All Saints Church of England School.  These related to weak leadership, governor infighting, poor discipline and absenteeism.  In the cast of Budmouth College, the use of extra funding it had received in pupil premium payments not been monitored and its impact limited.  The new Principal had a good understanding of the situation and, given sufficient time, a return to the previous standard would be realised.

Cllr Kevin Brookes asked whether there were any improving schools within the Weymouth and Portland area.  In response Holy Trinity Primary School was highlighted as a school with over 650 pupils, of whom 100 received pupil premium and 150 had special educational needs. This school had achieved a "Good" rating from a recent Ofsted inspection and was working towards achieving "Outstanding".  .

Cllr David Harris asked how an Interim Executive Board member, who attended few meetings and lived out of the area, could improve education standards.  The Cabinet Member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills stated that it was inappropriate to comment, but he would work with officers to ensure that action was taken to deliver the improvement referred to.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 27 June 2018 be adopted.

Outcomes Monitoring Report

In relation to minute 32, Cllr Clare Sutton asked whether there had been any outcomes from the suggested help the school improvement service might provide for schools in the Weymouth and Portland area.  Members noted that an update report would be provided for the Committee's next meeting.

Homelessness in Dorset: Review of Evidence

In relation to minute 35, Cllr Clare Sutton drew attention to an inaccuracy within the minute: the 18 rough sleepers referred to were in Weymouth and this illustrated the disparity between Weymouth and the rest of the Country.

The Committee had recommended the continuation of the Emergency Local Assistance Funding, which had subsequently turned out to be a matter for the new Shadow Dorset Council to consider, so Cllr Sutton asked whether the Cabinet Member for Health and Care would support this within the Shadow Dorset Council.  Cllr Jill Haynes, as the Cabinet Member, stated that it would be for the new Council to decide its priorities.  Cllr Rebecca Knox, as the Leader of the Council, added that governance arrangements for the new Authority were still being developed, but any decisions or policy changes by the County Council which affected the future could also need to be considered by the Shadow Executive and the Shadow Dorset Council.  The Monitoring Officer added that during the transition to the new Authority there was a different route for decisions to be taken and a Budget Task and Finish Group had been established to make recommendations to the Shadow Executive and the Shadow Dorset Council for the budget in 2019/20.

Cllr Sutton then asked whether Scrutiny Committees were effective.  Cllr David Walsh, as the Chairman of the Committee, referred to the recent Mental Health Inquiry Day which he felt was a good example of scrutiny working well and which had resulted in good outcomes.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 4 July 2018 be adopted.

Causes and Forces of Road Traffic Collisions - Road Safety Plan

In relation to minute 36, concern was raised in relation to the recent highways performance report which showed that the objective to reduce people killed or seriously injured, and specifically in relation to cyclists between 2004-2018.  Cllr Daryl Turner, as the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment, explained that the number of people killed had reduced, but the number of seriously injured had not and that this was a key area of attention for the Dorset Road Safety Partnership, and the Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 26 July 2018.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 5 July 2018 be adopted.

Joint Health Scrutiny Committee re Clinical Services Review and Mental Health Acute Care Pathway Review - Update  

In relation to minute 20, members were informed that the Clinical Services Review Task and Finish Group meeting was scheduled to meet on 1 August 2018, but this had subsequently changed to 22 August 2018.  The meeting would include a number of interested members of the public.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 15 June 2018 be adopted.

There were no changes to committee appointments announced at the meeting.

Noted

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 60 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 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

To consider a report by the Monitoring Officer. NOT FOR PUBLICATION

The Council considered a report by the Chief Executive.

Resolved

That under section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 the absence of Cllr Steven Lugg from Council meetings until 31 March 2019 due to reasons of ill health be approved.

Reason for Decision

In order for Cllr Lugg to remain a member of the County Council after the period of six consecutive months from the date of his last attendance at a meeting his absence must be approved in compliance with the Local Government Act 1972.

(Note: It was subsequently reported that Cllr Steven Lugg passed away on 20 July 2018.)