Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Derek Beer, Katharine Garcia and Ros Kayes.

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.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2017 were confirmed and signed.

To consider a report by the Transformation Programme Lead for Adult and Community Forward Together Programme.

The Committee considered a report by the Transformation Programme Lead for Adult and Community Forward Together Programme which updated members on progress with items considered at the last meeting.

The Chairman referred to the duplication of items with those on the Progress on Work Programme report later on the agenda.  The only item which did not appear later was that of the Dorset Syrian Refugee Programme  where a follow up report was expected, but no date had been set for this. 

Following discussion it was agreed that officers be asked to provide a brief update on the current situation by email so that members could decide whether any further action was needed.

Resolved

That officers provide a brief update on the current situation by email so that members could decide whether any further action was needed.

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

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).

To consider a report by the Corporate Director for Children, Adults and Communities.

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director for Children, Adults and Communities which provided an update on progress against the review/scrutiny areas that they had previously identified as being required.  The progress update included whether the scope was fully developed and, where applicable, views from officers about timings of reviews to be undertaken.

The Committee considered each scrutiny area individually as follows:-

Dorset Education Performance 2016

It had previously been agreed that an inquiry day be held but no date had been set for this.  Members noted that performance figures for 2017 were now available and the suggested half day review with stakeholders would provide an opportunity for a discussion on how performance could be improved. It was agreed that other members should be given the opportunity to take part in the review.

Resolved

1.   That a half day review be undertaken before Christmas with stakeholders to discuss how performance could be improved.

2.   That the Chairman, as Lead Member, and the Assistant Director - Prevention and Partnerships, as Lead Officer, would progress the inquiry day.

3.   That other members be given the opportunity to take part in the review.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Budget

It was noted that the Schools Forum would be considering a report on the budget on 20 October 2017. The Chairman reported that he and the Vice-Chairman were members of a group convened by the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills to look at SEN delivery.  In order not to duplicate effort, he suggested that this matter be referred to this Group with he and the vice-Chairman reporting back on progress.

Resolved

That this item be referred to the Group on SEND delivery.

Worrkforce Capacity

It was reported that work was ongoing across Children's and Adult and Community Services.  The Lead Officers would provide an update on progress and key findings in the New Year.

Resolved

That an update be provided in the New Year.

Community Transport

At the recent member scrutiny training it had become evident that a number of Committees had expressed an interest in scrutinising aspects of community transport and the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board was tasked to ensure that there was no duplication.  Lead Members had recently met with Lead Officers when it was agreed that an Inquiry Day would be held in February 2018 and a list of invitees drawn up.  All members would be invited to take part.

Noted

Mental Health

The Vice-Chairman  reported that the workshop scheduled to have taken place on 10 October 2017 had been cancelled as it clashed with another event.  This would now take place in November 2017 and would involve the Clinical Commissioning Group, key professional staff and service users.  A scoping document had been provided for members following publication of the agenda.

Members noted that the workshop would also take into account the review of Children and Adults Mental Health Services by the  Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee and members' views about children's mental health and access  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

To receive the People and Communities Overview & Scrutiny Work Programme.  So as to stimulate debate, the Transformation Programme Lead for Adult and Community Forward Together Programme (Lead officer) encourages members of the committee to give some thought as to what they consider the scope of the committee to be and the expectations they have for what might be achievable (how this can be put into practice). These can be then given due consideration at the meeting.

The Committee considered a report by the Transformation Programme Lead for Adult and Community Forward Together Programme which detailed the updated work programme for 2017-18 and were asked to request additional items through the Chairman.

The Chairman suggested that, as homelessness appeared to be on the increase, a review be undertaken.  This was agreed.  Councillor Clare Sutton would be Lead Member and officers were asked to send her relevant data so that she and the Strategic Commissioning Manager could complete the scoping report. Councillors Trite and Walsh would also be involved.  Members noted that a count of homeless people was to be undertaken in November 2017 and that better data would be available after this date.

The Committee considered items previously identified for potential review and concluded:-

·         Housing - was being progress through the Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee and this item could be deleted from the Work Programme

·         Adoption and Fostering - that this be re-considered in six months' time when recent changes had bedded in

·         Elderly Care - the review of the cost and quality of care had addressed this and this item could be deleted from the Work Programme.

Resolved

That the Work Programme be amended to reflect the above changes and those contained in minute 47.

To consider a report by the Service Director - Economy.

The Committee considered a report by the Service Director - Economy which set out how Brexit was likely to affect the Council and proposed how the Council should dedicate its resources to planning, preparing for, and shaping future policy.

The Service Director - Economy explained that the report would also be considered by the Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 16 October 2017. It sought members' views on the allocation of resources in preparation for Brexit in order to minimise risk and maximise opportunities for the Council to further corporate aims and shared objectives.  It suggested that a Brexit Advisory Group be established to progress this and that such a Group should include member involvement.

The Economy and Enterprise Team Leader then briefly outlined scoping work undertaken, Lead Officers identified for the various elements.and highlighted the need to focus effort on opportunities to influence outcomes from the Dorset perspective.  He also informed the Committee that the Council had representation on a national working group looking at the implications of Brexit.

The Committee discussed the report and in particular non-UK citizens working in the UK, the possibility of the future workforce coming from commonwealth countries, the need for a consistent approach to be taken across the whole County and, as the whole country had the same issues and required the same answers, a plea for no duplication of effort.  Members supported the establishment of a Brexit Advisory Group which included member representation.  They also asked  that Cllr Andrew Parry be appointed to the Group.  In order to take this matter forward and to reduce duplication, the Committee referred this matter to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board to progress.

Resolved

1.   That this matter be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board to progress.

2.   That the establishment of a Brexit Advisory Group be supported.

3.   That its membership include elected members.

4.   That Cllr Andrew Parry be appointed to sit on the Group.

To consider a report by the Transformation Programme Lead for the Adult and Community Forward Together Programme.

The Committee considered a report by the Transformation Programme Lead for Adult and Community Forward Together Programme which was the first monitoring report against the new Corporate Plan.  It included Performance measures by which the County Council could measure the contribution and impact of its own services and activities on the Corporate Plan's four outcomes and riskmanagement information.

The Senior Assurance Manager presented the report highlighting that it now included an analysis of the Council's contribution towards Corporate Plan outcomes and measured the impact on services and activities.  He then gave a detailed presentation as a means of illustrating this.  He explained that more detailed information was now available to support scrutiny work and asked members to contact him if there were any areas they believed to be priorities for further development.  Value for money information would be provided for the January 2018 meeting.  

The Transformation Programme Lead for Adult and Community Forward Together Programme welcomed members challenging identified performance measures particularly where activities were being undertaken but no impact being made.  She asked that members provide feedback by 30 October 2017 so that work could start on information for the next meeting.

Members found the report both interesting and helpful and welcomed the opportunity to comment.

Resolved

That members send comments on the report and its content to the Senior Assurance Manager by 30 October 2017.

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on Friday, 6 October 2016.

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