Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Shane Bartlett.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Mark Roberts to his first meeting.

To consider nominations from Councillors Shane Bartlett and Mary Penfold for the appointment of Vice-Chairman for the year 2018/19.

At the County Council meeting on 27 April 2018 nominations from Group Leaders had been received for the position of Vice-Chairman for both Shane Bartlett and Mary Penfold,  It was agreed that the Committee would decide the appointment at the next meeting.

On putting this to a vote, it was

Resolved

That Councillor Mary Penfold be appointed as Vice-Chairman for the remainder of the year 2018/19.

To note the Committee's Terms of Reference.

The Committee's terms of reference were unchanged.

Noted

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.

Councillor Mark Roberts stated that his company had a small adult care contract with the County Council so he would not take part in discussions about contracting arrangements.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2018 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 set out outstanding actions from previous meetings and an update on identified reviews.

Members noted that the Brexit Group would not continue to meet as this work could be dealt with more efficiently elsewhere.

Noted

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

Public Speaking

There were no public questions, statements or petitions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Orders.

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 set out performance against the 2017-19 Corporate Plan and population indicators for the Healthy and Independent outcomes.  The report also included performance measures which showed the Council's Services contribution and impact on outcomes, and risk management information relating to outcomes and population indicators.

Attention was drawn to performance relating to LiveWell Dorset services to tackle alcohol and substance abuse and promote healthy weight, which appeared to have declined.  It was reported that these services had recently been brought in-house, and monitoring procedures had become more rigorous. Figures for the next quarter would give a better idea if there was a genuine decline in performance.   A new population indicator for  mental health was based on the percentage of people on GP registers suffering from depression, which was a more accurate and timely indicator for trends in mental health.

In discussion members highlighted that changes to the way mental health was understood measured made comparisons over time difficult; sleep deprivation and social media might be causes of depression; social isolation and loneliness were more significant in deprived neighbourhoods rather than rural areas; schools' role in promoting emotional health and wellbeing, particularly given current concerns for education in Weymouth and Portland; the dip in the number of children being adequately prepared to go to school; and the increase in young people not in education, employment or training (NEETS).

Members were concerned about the sharp increase in the proportion of care leavers who were NEET and suggested a further explanation be sought about what was being done to address this.  They thought a short review might be needed.

Noted

To consider the Committee's Draft Annual Report.

The Committee considered its draft Annual Report 2017-18.

Whilst the Annual Report was welcomed by members, one member pointed out that it seemed to suggest that the committee's reviews were capturing outputs rather than outcomes and the impact they had.  Members were reminded that the purpose of the Corporate Plan was to focus on outcomes for residents. Other Committees had similar outputs but reviews later on the agenda would give an indication of whether improvements were being achieved.

Noted

To consider a report by the Service Director, Economy, Natural and Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report by the Service Director, Economy, Natural and Built Environment which presented the findings of the inquiry day into Integrated Transport held on 26 February 2018.

The inquiry day had been attended by 86 people representing community transport groups, commercial bus operators and members of district and borough councils.  Sessions were led by guest speakers with a focus on different ways of looking at transport and what could be done to help communities develop local transport schemes which was not based on bus provision.  Information was readily available to help communities develop their own schemes but better signposting was needed.

A brief summary of the development of integrated transport since 2013 was given, including the development of a community transport toolkit, available grants, support available to help communities develop schemes, and links to health and skills.  89 schemes had been established with 97% coverage across Dorset.   Officers were working with the NHS as part of the Sustainability Transformation Plan on sustainable transport for the future.

The Lead Member for the review drew attention to the need to promote progress made, show communities that support to develop their own schemes was available and for transport officers to have more time to invest in this.  He also thought officers should liaise more with rail operators.

The Committee noted that the previous day a meeting had been held with the Heart of Wessex (rail operators) and that the outcomes would be reported to a later meeting. The Lead Member welcomed this.

Members noted that officers were working towards a one stop shop for transport solutions and that the inquiry day had increased awareness of available services and the need to connect services to provide joint community schemes.

Some members remained sceptical about transport arrangements within their electoral divisions.

Resolved

That the approach taken by Dorset Travel to continue to support the Passenger Transport Strategy be supported.

To consider a report by the Senior Assurance Manager.

The Committee considered a report by the Senior Assurance Manager which provided evidence about homelessness in Dorset. Supporting the report, the Committee also received a joint presentation by the Senior Assurance Manager and Councillor Clare Sutton, Lead Member for the review.

The evidence showed that homelessness was on the increase in Dorset but this was not an even trend, with some district areas having a peak in 2012/13, and a more steady increase in the Weymouth and Portland area.  The District and Borough Councils’ Dorset Homelessness Strategy provided a vigorous approach to try to prevent homelessness. 

In 2017 there were 18 rough sleepers in Weymouth at the time of the annual count, a rate of 0.62 per 1000 households - the 17th highest ratein the Country.  Nationally, 70 rough sleepers died on the streets in 2017, a number that had more than doubled in 5 years,three of whom were living in Weymouth.  Rough sleepers were much more likely to have substance abuse issues, be the victims of violence or traffic accidents, more prone to suicide and to infections or hypothermia, all of which had an effect on the wider community.  These figures did not show how many more people were on the edge of homelessness, for example through sofa surfing or sleeping with strangers.  

Members were provided with a brief outline of the District and Borough Councils’ duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018 (HRA) - to get involved at an earlier stage, and to provide meaningful personalised support in order to prevent homelessness, regardless of their priority need.  The new duty to refer would result in an increased workload for housing officers.  These duties would be inherited by the new unitary Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils following Local Government Reorganisation in April 2019.

Funding of £72.2m over three years was to be provided for local authorities.  This would mean an additional £90k for the district and borough councils in Dorset.   Housing officers welcomed the Act’s introduction as it strengthened councils' duties to intervene and provided moresolutions for those at risk of homelessness.

There was some exploration of the possible reasons for homelessness and its causes.  An explanation of current interventions was given, including the Weymouth bus which could accommodate up to seventeen people and its positive effect in Weymouth.

Members  then discussed the information shared in some detail including: the fact that Universal Credit could not be paid direct to landlords so they were less likely to take tenants on benefits; that somelocal authorities provided grants for rent in advance and deposits in certain circumstances; somelocal authorities were looking at effectively acting as letting agents for private sector landlords, taking on all the associated risks; the shortage of appropriate housing with registered providers building 2, 3, or 4 bedroom properties when more single accommodation was needed; members' individual experience of people becoming homeless; that support was largelyonly provided on a Monday to Friday basis; that HM Services support organisations did  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

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

The Committee considered a report by the Director for Children's Services which provided an update on the significant progress which had been made with the improvement plan so far in enabling a three year improvement drive within the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) Services for children and young people. It also included an update on the consultation with schools around the future relationship with the local authority and the support being provided to schools in the Weymouth and Portland area.

Members were reminded that the Ofsted inspection in January 2017 had identified four significant areas of weakness (strategic planning, low conversation rates, parental feedback and quality assurance) which had resulted in a statement of action to improvement performance.  Since then significant progress had been made in all four areas and a brief summary was provided.  Members were directed to look at the local offer for their electoral divisions.

Particular attention was drawn to transfers of children on statements to Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) where conversion rates were completed by the end of March 2018 with additional funding provided by Cabinet.  Concentration was now on achieving targets for the three stages for the new EHCPs - at s6, 16 and 20 weeks.

With regard to the consultation with schools about their relationship with the authority, this would not proceed until two key appointments had been made - one was now in place, the other to be in place shortly.  The consultation would be carried out by way of workshops facilitated by the Staff College.

A number of senior schools in Weymouth and Portland had been deemed "inadequate" by recent Ofsted inspections.  Although some of these were academies with greater autonomy, the local authority was offering support to these schools to ensure that agreed actions plans were followed through as a means of improving standards and life chances for children,

In response to questions officers were confident that the local authority would fare well if another Ofsted inspection took place; would report the suggestion that school improvement services should help the Weymouth and Portland Schools at no cost; that Children's Services were working with Governing Bodies on solutions and identifying good practice and experience which could be shared; that every means available was being used to help these schools; that printed material was available for families with no access to the webpages; that the Dorset Parent Council were members of the SEND Delivery Group and were able to identify families with no internet access and facilitate their engagement; and that the advisory service focused on maintained schools with a view to early support being provided.  Members were reminded that it was the academies' decision as to whether they took advantage of support offered.

Attention was drawn to the fact that although there were some schools where improvements were needed, other Dorset schools had dedicated teachers who provided a good education for their pupils enabling them to achieve grades and secure university placements. 

Members were keen to hear more about the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To consider the responses from organisations to the recommendations arising from the Enquiry Day held on 13 December 2017.

The Committee considered a report by the Senior Democratic Services Officer

which provided an update on the Delivery Plan arising from the Mental Health inquiry day held on 13 December 2017 and the response received from relevant organisations.

Members noted that two responses had been received from partner organisations; that the local authority now had representation on the Mental Health Integration Board; Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust were expanding psycho-therapies, increasing investment in psychiatric liaison services and out of area placements; the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group were working to provide better local support for those in crisis, develop a crisis intervention service and retreats; there was a commitment to follow up on people with serious illnesses; increased opportunities for employment by joint working across health and social care; a review of dementia services was planned; the suicide prevention plan was overseen jointly by partners; the local authority was to review the out of hours service and consult on plans to extend mental health services to evenings and night-times; communications between partner organisations had improved; more integrated pathways for mental health and disability services were being developed; practical changes for service users and staff were to be considered; work was to be undertaken to look at pathways to homelessness, and a review of supported lodgings scheme was to be undertaken. In summary there was a need to build on existing meetings and priorities identified in the workshop to integrate these into programmes of work.

Officers agreed to established whether there was an equivalent to the Disability Partnership Board for those with mental health issues as this was seen as a good example of service user inclusion.

The Lead Member for the review drew attention to the key message that came out of the inquiry day that another day with service users and carers should be held so that they could be made aware of action taken as a direct result of the inquiry day.  It was explained that each of the work programmes would include engagement.  Officers agreed to ask the Partnership Board whether they wished to carry out engagement overall or whether this should be done on a project by project basis.

In summary, the inquiry day was seen as a great success, with meaningful outcomes which had been shared with stakeholders for them to consider.  Stakeholders would be contacted again later in the year to establish progress on the implementation of the Delivery Plan which would be reported to the January 2019 meeting.

Resolved

That stakeholders be contacted again later in the year to establish progress on the implementation of the Delivery Plan which would be reported to the January 2019 meeting.

To consider the final report.

The Committee considered the final report of the Member Working Group on Social Isolation.

The Lead Member of the Group explained that as social isolation was a big topic Beaminster and Blandford had been selected as areas to investigate what problems they experienced and how they were being tackled. 

The review discovered that there were a number of common issues which were raised consistently - the lack of transport, lack of knowledge about available transport, and people not being aware of what was available.  It also showed that isolation and loneliness could be experienced  not only in rural areas but also in towns and communities.  Information gained through the Young Researchers' Survey was highlighted as this had given a picture young people's lives and their issues.

The Group had made recommendations which would they thought would address the issues and they hoped this this work could progress and not be lost through the forthcoming local government reorganisation.

Members recognised that the County Council could not solve loneliness and isolation, but by creating caring communities and looking after neighbours isolation and loneliness could be reduced.

Recommended

1.  That the Committee agreed that the key issues identified in the report and addressing them at a strategic level across council activities and expenditure will combat social isolation and was recommended to the Cabinet (as set out in Appendix 1, paragraph 4.3 of the report).

2.  That the Cabinet's attention be drawn to the potential benefit of further action being taken on a corporate basis informed by the toolkit of the Campaign to end Loneliness (as set out in Appendix 1, paragraph 6.1b of the report)

3. That the Cabinet consider the recommendations with a view to drawing these findings and associated action to the attention of  the Shadow Executive for the new Dorset Council and to the Health and Wellbeing Board (as set out in Appendix 1, paragraph 6.2 of the report).

To consider an update 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 provided an update of delayed discharge performance within the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Board area.  The report included some cases studies which members had requested at the last meeting.

Members noted that performance continued to improve and this was important as Better Care Funding depended on the Local Authority and partners meeting delayed discharge targets.  The need for health and social care teams to work closely together to enable patients to be provided with the resources to enable their return home was highlighted.

The case studies illustrated the pathway followed by some patients in order to be able to return home with appropriate support.

One member referred to a case within his own electoral division whereby a patient wanted to leave hospital yet was not medically fit to return home.  The Assistant Director would discuss this further outside of the meeting.

Members recognised that the majority of patients wished to return home but that in some cases the cost of this to the local authority could be high. They also recognised that support needed to be provided to enable patients to return home, that care providers could be given short to put care in place, and that there was no way of predicting this which made planning difficult. 

The Cabinet Member for Health and Care highlighted that the Government were challenging local authorities to ensure patients were discharged quickly from hospital and that if this was not done funding would be reduced.  The Local Authority's performance had improved considerably but other authorities had also improved their performance which meant that Dorset remained in the bottom quartile.  There was a reablement service and domiciliary care was also provided if required on discharge, but shortage of supply could sometimes lead to short delays.  This was thoroughly monitored and the Brokerage Service sourced a service as soon as it was available. The Local Authority needed to work closely with health colleagues to further improve performance and she thought more emphasis should be put on keeping people out of hospital in the first place.  She reminded members that the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Board received regular reports on delayed discharge performance and suggested that the Committee receive an update in six months' time to see whether performance continued to improve.

With regard to whether the system would be able to cope with the closure of beds at the Portland Community Hospital, it was explained that a lack of nurses had led to the closure and that nurses working there currently would be moved to Weymouth.

Discharges from Dorset County Hospital would not be affected by this change.  The local MP was to answer questions on this at a local church the following evening.

Resolved

That an update report on delayed discharge performance be provided for the Committee's meeting in January 2019.

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 its work programme.

The Chairman reminded members that  due to the transition to the new Shadow Dorset Council, there were limited opportunities to undertake scrutiny reviews.  Any new scrutiny work would need to be of a short duration rather than in depth.

Items added to the work programme were:-

10 October 2018 meeting       Update on the schools workshop

                                                Education Health Care Plan performance

January 2019 meeting            Update on mental health review and implementation of                                            recommendations

                                                Integrated Transport  - actions  and outcomes and next                                           stage for delivery

                                                Delayed Transfers of Care performance

Resolved

That the above items be added to the Committee's work programme.

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on 29 June 2018.

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