Meeting documents

To consider and make any recommendations on the report by the Director for Children’s Services.

The Chairman informed the Committee that a written statement had been received from the County Councillor for Chickerell and Chesil Bank division, Ian Gardner, which he read out in full to the Committee.  A copy of the statement was distributed at meeting and is attached to these minutes as Annexure 1.

The Committee considered a report by the Director for Children’s Services that sought members’ comments and contribution to the further development of the Community Offer for Living and Learning.  The report contained a draft outline business case for the proposals that reviewed how and where service users and local communities could access services in future. The approach required working with community organisations and other public services, with pilot areas to explore and develop the approach suggested in Weymouth, Portland, Beaminster, Blandford, and possibly Ferndown.

The Head of Early Help and Community Services reviewed the ambitious proposals and emphasised that it was not a property programme.  He acknowledged that one size would not fit all and work would be undertaken with local people to enable the Authority to respond appropriately and to enable local communities to help themselves.  The future direction is for more multi-functional buildings and fewer single purpose buildings.  Further details would be informed by engaging with councillors and partners in pilot areas, helping to identify opportunities for action and further developing the business case and what was affordable.

Member engagement and contributions to the approach was envisaged in a number of other ways, including The Way We Work Board and engagement with Cabinet Members on specific areas as appropriate.  A further report would be presented to the Committee in October 2016 following the pilot period to detail the final outline business case.

The County Councillor for Portland Tophill district, Paul Kimber, was invited to address the Committee.  He spoke to the Committee as the Member Champion for promotion of learning through life and advised that he fully endorsed the proposals and recommended the Committee approve the report’s recommendations.

Members discussed the report, commenting positively on the efficient use of the Authority’s resources, both people and buildings.  They asked officers to ensure that the final business plan was forward thinking, particularly in regards to potential building availability within a future unitary authority.  Members agreed that the proposals, if managed appropriately, would serve the community well and reduce expenditure.

A member commented on the importance of a ‘one stop shop’ to certain individuals who needed to access a range of information in a short period of time.  He asked whether this could be extended in order to offer some form of resettlement support for prisoners recently released and whether information could be given to prisoners before their release date.

The Head of Early Help and Community Services advised officers were already working closely with a number of Cabinet Members and also with a number of local members.  He welcomed the additional input of Committee members to ensure both a local and strategic balance of views were received.  When considering how members could be engaged in the process, it was agreed that a members’ working group would be appropriate.   

Resolved

That a member working group be set up to engage in the development of the Community Offer.  That group to consist of Councillors Fred Drane, Steve Butler, David Walsh and Kate Wheller.

Recommendations

That the Cabinet be recommended to:

1.       approve the development of the Community Offer for Living and Learning, enabling officers to prepare the business case as well as engage both locally and on a countywide level;

2.       approve progress in the pilot areas;

3.       delegate powers to the Director for Children's Services to proceed with action in the pilot areas, if appropriate, after consultation with the Cabinet member for Organisational Development and Transformation, other Cabinet members as appropriate and the local County Councillor(s), subject to the Section 151 Officer being satisfied that there was a sound financial basis; and

4.       delegate powers to the Director for Environment and the Economy after consultation with the Cabinet member for Environment, Infrastructure and Highways and the local County Councillor(s) to enter into such property transactions (whether by acquisition or disposal), as necessary, to make appropriate progress with the introduction of living and learning centres.

Reason for Recommendations

The approach was in line with the Council’s vision of working together for a strong and successful Dorset.  Was part of the action required as part of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan and contributed to the four corporate outcomes of Safe, Healthy, Independent and Prosperous.