Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Spencer Flower and Mary Kahn.

Members are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 regarding disclosable pecuniary interests.

·         Check if there is an item of business on this agenda in which the member or other relevant person has a disclosable pecuniary interest.

·         Check that the interest has been notified to the Monitoring Officer (in writing) and entered in the Register (if not this must be done on the form available from the clerk within 28 days).

·         Disclose the interest at the meeting (in accordance with the County Council’s Code of Conduct) and in the absence of a dispensation to speak and/or vote, withdraw from any consideration of the item.

The Register of Interests is available on Dorsetforyou.com and the list of disclosable pecuniary interests is set out on the reverse of the form.

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

Councillors Drane and Jones declared general interests in that their wives were in receipt of care.

Councillor Kayes reported that she would be recording a new disclosable pecuniary interest as a member of a group of psychotherapists who had just won a contract to provide counselling for carers.  There was nothing of relevance on the agenda which would require her to leave the meeting.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2016 were confirmed and signed.

To consider and make any recommendations on the report by the Interim Director for Adult and Community Services.

The Committee considered a report by the Interim Director for Adult and Community Services which set out progress on matters raised at the previous meeting.  Three of these related to items on the agenda for the meeting and one confirmed that recommendations made at the previous meeting had been adopted by the Cabinet on  26 October 2016.

Noted

To receive any questions or statements by members of the public.

Public Speaking

One public question had been received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1) and which related to proposed changes to the Registration Service.  This is reported at minute 32 below and is included as an annexure to these minutes.

There were no public statements received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

That members consider the attached report to the meeting of the County Council on 26 January 2017 and provide their comments to help inform the Council’s decision.

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive on the future of Local Government in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.  The Committee was asked to scrutinise and comment on the report prior to it being considered by the County Council on 26 January 2017.

The Chairman reminded members that their role at the meeting was to consider and comment on the report from the County Council’s perspective and how it affected its constituents.  Members had a further opportunity to comment as district and borough councillors when the report was considered by them throughout January 2017.

The Chief Executive presented the report in detail summarising previous discussion of the subject at County Council meetings, the case for change report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, financial analysis from the Local Partnership, the results of the public consultation, the involvement of the Shaping Dorset’s Future Group and the Leaders and Chief Executives Group.  This had led to a common approach being agreed by all nine local authorities on the sustainability of local government in Dorset as set out in the report being considered.   Each of the councils would consider the report in January 2017. 

A very thorough and rigorous approach had been taken throughout this process and there had been a robust challenge of the figures and principles to ensure that a good evidence base was used to help councillors in their decision-making.  Reports had been made available and briefing sessions held for councillors in order to provide time for questions, debate and discussion prior to any decisions being taken.  The evidence provided a case for change for local government in Dorset with Option 2(b) - two unitary authorities, one based on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and one on East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland – being the favoured option.

Some members favoured Christchurch being included in Shire Dorset and some spoke in favour of keeping the current close working relationship between the County Council and district and borough councils and the flexibility this provided. Some expressed concern about the transfer of power away from residents and some spoke in support of devolution and the involvement of Town and Parish Councils.   In response to the latter point, it was explained that the Shaping Dorset’s Future Group was progressing this.  The Chief Executive of the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils (DAPTC) had attended the last meeting and the Head of Organisation Development attended the Executive meeting of the DAPTC to progress joint working. 

Some members advocated services being provided at the most appropriate level and for decisions to be taken at the most appropriate level nearest to the people affected by them.  Some concern was expressed about the increased number of people councillors would represent under any new arrangements and whether this would be "democratic". The need for strong democratic representation under any new arrangements was highlighted.

In response to concerns expressed about the consultation process, the Chief Executive confirmed that the consultation process followed had been valid and supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider a joint report by the Interim Director for Adult and Community Services and the Director of Public Health.

The Committee considered a joint report by the Interim Director for Adult and Community Services and the Director of Public Health which set out outcome indicators relating to the Committee’s areas of responsibility under the Corporate Plan.

The Senior Assurance Manager and the Assistant Director of Public Health presented the report.  Members were reminded that the Corporate Plan was based on important outcomes for residents and the Committee’s role was to scrutinise progress towards those outcomes under the headings of Independence and Health.  The report provided information on the current state of play in these areas and highlighted areas where improvement was needed so that the Committee could identify areas for scrutiny.  Members noted that some data within the report was out of date but information included on the outcomes tracker which could be followed through the link provided in the report was current.   It was also explained that some trends had been misidentified and showed a worsening situation when the long term trend was more even. Members noted that a few outcome indicators were still being developed.

Members welcomed this report and the detail contained within it.  It provided areas of interest and concern and it was suggested that further consideration would be needed to identify areas for future scrutiny, possibly by way of a workshop.

There was some discussion about information concerning SEN transport and self-harm, and the need for psychological health education in schools and increased mental health services to help address this for children. Particular concern was expressed about the worsening direction of travel for many areas. 

The Interim Director for Adult and Community Services Committee highlighted that activity undertaken did not necessarily mean that this was having any impact on outcomes and if there was no impact that activity should be refocused.  She also explained that Dorset may not follow national trends and she cited the example of delayed discharges where there had been a recent improvement in Dorset compared to the worsening situation in the rest of the country.  She asked the Committee to help identify where resources should be focused in order to improve outcomes for residents. 

Resolved

That Cllr Ros Kayes (Lead Member), Cllr Kate Wheller and John Alexander complete a scoping report to help identify items for scrutiny for consideration at the Committee’s next meeting.

To consider a report by the Director for Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report by the Assistant Director for Design and Development which provided an update on Hate Crimes for Quarter Two 2016/17, as requested at the Committee’s last meeting.

The Assistant Director reminded the Committee of the Council’s duty of care under the Equality Act to address hate crime issues.  Whilst the number of crimes was low, there had been an increase in incidents in all areas, although this had subsequently reduced.  However, there was a need to get a better understanding of the figures and more work was being undertaken with regard to the local impact of crimes against the disabled and those with mental health issues. He suggested that the Committee might like to hold an Inquiry Morning to consider current and planned activity which helped the Council fulfil its public sector equality duty and how that activity was supporting the reduction in hate crime and incidents.

Questions were posed as to whether any reported incidents were mischief-making, whether the peaks in July were related to the influx of holidaymakers and they reported their own experience of hate crimes.  They recognised the importance of continuing to monitor the situation and for them to encourage action to be taken to address hate crime.  They noted the role of Dorset’s Safeguarding Boards, the Community Safety Partnership and the Police and other partners to address hate crime.

Members supported the suggestion of holding an Inquiry Morning and Councillor David Jones would act as Lead Member for this review.

Resolved

1.     That an Inquiry Morning be held to consider current and planned activity which helped the Council fulfil its public sector equality duty and how that activity was supporting the reduction in hate crime and incidents. 

2.     That the Inquiry Panel comprise Steve Butler, David Jones (Lead Member) and David Walsh.

3.       That other County Councillors be contacted to see whether they would want to be involved in this review.

To consider the minutes and final report of the Policy Development Panel on Registration.

Lead Member: Councillor William Trite                 

Lead Officer:   Paul Leivers, Assistant Director – Early Help and Community Services

The Committee considered the minutes of the final meeting of the Policy Development Panel on Registration held on 2 December 2016 and its report on future Registration Service proposals.

A question had been submitted under the Council’s Public Participation arrangements by Councillor Jon Andrews, Sherborne Town Councillor, which related to changes to the Registration Service provided in Sherborne.  This, and the response provided, is attached to the minutes as an annexure.

Comments had also been received from the County Councillor for Rodwell, who supported the retention of a service in Weymouth.  Her comments are included in the annexure to the minutes.

The Chairman of the Policy Development Panel presented the Panel’s report and drew attention to an amendment to it in that Option 5C(h) should be italicised, not Option 5C(e) as shown in the report.  He explained that the review had taken nearly a year and had proven more complex than originally anticipated.  The review had been detailed, the need to make financial savings accepted, and had led to the recommendations put forward which would cause least disruption.  He confirmed that Town Councils had agreed to financially support outreach services in Gillingham, Sherborne and Swanage.  Officers were thanked for their work in supporting the Panel.  The Assistant Director – Early Help and Community Services highlighted the success of the Service which was self-funding and reminded members that the Panel had been established to address potential forthcoming legislative changes to marriage ceremonies and budget pressures arising.

Recommended

That the Cabinet approve:

1.  That the service provided be developed into a more customer focussed service, through six office locations across Dorset (at Blandford, Bridport, Dorchester, Ferndown, Wareham and Weymouth) and for outreach services to be provided at (Gillingham, Sherborne and Swanage), subject to Town Council support being secured for the outreach services.

2.  That the service be based on seven ceremony rooms across the County. (At Blandford, Bridport, Ferndown, Gillingham, Sherborne, Swanage and Weymouth this reflects the present circumstances, however, as property matters emerge in the future it might be appropriate to make changes to these arrangements).

3.  That Officers be encouraged to develop a schedule of fees and charges based on a full cost recovery model in relation to ceremonies, and to authorise the Assistant Director - Early Help and Community Services, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independence, to set the schedule.

4.  That the Tell Us Once service for deaths be retained, and the service for births be withdrawn.

To consider the scoping document for the review.

Lead Member:  Councillor David Walsh                

Leader Officer: Paul Leivers, Assistant Director – Early Help and Community Services

The Committee received an update on progress with the Policy Development Panel on Community Capacity Building and Social Isolation.

The Chairman, as Lead Member for the review, explained that the completion of the scoping document had shown how complex this subject was and further consideration was needed prior to the Panel’s first meeting.

Noted

The Initial Scoping Document is attached and the final paragraph provides an update on action taken since the last meeting to progress the review.

Lead Member: Councillor David Walsh                 

Lead Officer:   Sally Wernick, Safeguarding and Quality Service Manager

The Committee received an update on progress with the Inquiry Date into the Cost and Quality of Nursing and Residential Care across Dorset.  This was to be held on Monday, 13 February 2017 and would involve four evidence gathering sessions.  Representatives from the Council’s quality improvement team and commissioners, service users, carers, Healthwatch, the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group and the Care Quality Commission would be attending.

The Senior Democratic Services Officer was asked to re-send members details of the day.

Noted

The Initial Scoping Document is attached and the final paragraph provides an update on action taken since the last meeting to progress the review.

Lead Member: Councillor David Walsh                 

Lead Officer:   Michael Ford, Service Manager - Policy, Welfare Reform and Income Generation

The Committee received an update on Making Charges Fairer for Adult Social Care, which included reference to the work of the Executive Advisory Panel on Pathways to Independence and highlighted that any recommendations would be considered by the Cabinet in March 2017.

Noted  

To receive the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme.  So as to stimulate debate, the Interim Director for Adult and Communities Services (Lead officer) encourages members to consider the scope of the Committee and identify potential items for future scrutiny for consideration at the meeting.

The Committee considered its work programme. 

Additional items to be added to the work programme were set out in minute numbers 7 and 8.

Noted  

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on 6 January 2017.

No questions were asked by members under Standing Order 20(2).