Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Spencer Flower and Barry Quinn.

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

There were no declarations by members of disclosable pecuniary interests under the Shadow Dorset Council’s Code of Conduct.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 February 2019.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 February 2019 were confirmed and signed.

To receive any public questions or statements on the business of the Shadow Executive Committee.

There were no public questions or statements received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 28.

To consider the Forward Plan of the Shadow Executive Committee.

The Committee received the latest draft Forward Plan, which included all decisions to be taken throughout the Shadow Dorset Council period until 1 April 2019.

Noted

To consider the draft Forward Plan for Dorset Council.  The Plan has been populated with items for consideration throughout 2019/20 by each of the Programme Theme Boards.

The Committee considered the draft Forward Plan for Dorset Council and made the following changes:

·           A report on the Better Care Fund would come to the new Cabinet as a recommendation from the Health and Wellbeing Board in June 2019.

·           A request was made that before Car Parking Charges were considered by the new Cabinet, that effort be made to discuss the role and economic impact of car parks in a 21 century setting, which would be of particular interest to town and parish councils.

Noted

To consider a report by the Programme Director.

The Committee considered a report by the Programme Director which provided an overview of the Local Government Reorganisation Programme including workstream activity, key achievements, the second gateway review, risks and issues.

In relation to the risk regarding Dedicated School Grant funding, it was confirmed that a disapplication request had been agreed by the Department for Education to reallocate funding into higher needs which was welcomed by members. 

Cllr Nick Ireland asked a question regarding plans for implementation of a Members ICT Strategy and budget for provision of devices.  The Programme Director responded by confirming that there was an ICT Policy for members and this would include provision of a choice of corporately enabled devices for members, which would be met by corporate budgets.  This provision would be included within the Members Induction Programme and all members would be encouraged to use the new devices which would be complemented with a personalised learning plan.  It was noted that this approach was welcomed at the Shadow Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 7 March 2019.

Noted

To consider a report by the Lead Member for Governance.

The Committee considered a report by the Lead Member for Governance on the Dorset Council policy in relation to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (“RIPA”).

Decision

1. That the draft RIPA policy attached as Appendix 1 of the Lead Member’s report be adopted;

2. That the Chief Executive be designated as the Council’s Senior Responsible Officer in respect of the exercise of the Council’s RIPA powers; and,

3. That the Executive Directors be granted delegated authority to authorise officers within their service areas to exercise the Council’s RIPA powers.

Reason for Decisions

Compliance with the Revised Code of Practice on Covert Surveillance and Property Interference (August 2018).

To receive a briefing note from the Lead Member for Environment, Roads and Parks.

The Committee received a briefing note by the Lead Member for Environment, Roads and Parks on the maintenance of the highway network in Dorset.  A summary of the briefing note was provided and welcomed by members and thanks were expressed to the Highways Team.  General comments and observations were received in respect of specific locations across Dorset.

Noted

To consider a recommendation from the Tricuro Executive Shareholder Group from its meeting held on 20 December 2018.

It was explained at the meeting that the recommendation from the meeting had been subsequently updated since the meeting held on 20 December 2018 which meant that the recommendation was now a resolved item and did not require consideration by the Shadow Executive Committee.

Decision

That the recommendation be withdrawn from the meeting.

To consider a report by the Chairman of the Police and Crime Panel.

The Committee considered a recommendations from the Dorset Police and Crime Panel on the future arrangements for the Panel in accordance with the Police and Social Responsibility Act 2011 which had been endorsed by the Home Office.

Decisions

1. That the arrangements for the Dorset Police and Crime Panel be endorsed, to ensure compliance with the Police and Social Responsibility Act 2011 post April 2019.

2. That these arrangements be formally adopted into the Constitution of Dorset Council as part of the Monitoring Officer’s delegated authority to make consequential changes at the Shadow Dorset Council meeting on 20 February 2019.

Reason for Decisions

To ensure safe and legal arrangements were in place for the Dorset Police and Crime Panel following Local Government Reorganisation.

To receive a recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board of Dorset County Council held on 29 January 2019.

The Committee considered recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board of Dorset County Council from its meeting held on 29 January 2019 in relation to the findings and outcome of the Inquiry Day into Children’s Services held on 15 January 2019. 

The recommendations were supported by the Dorset County Council Cabinet on 6 March 2019 and the Executive Director, People (Children) was asked to continue to address the recommendations.  The Executive Director also confirmed that the recommendations were embedded within improvement plans and progress would be reported back to members in due course.  It was noted that the recommendations were being taken forward by the Children’s Service Improvement Board, and that some had already progressed.

Cllr David Harris, as the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, highlighted:

·           The need for a high quality induction for members of the new Council in areas which affected the most vulnerable in Dorset.  It was confirmed that this was an integral part of the Member Induction arrangements.

·           For the relationship with the NHS to be enhanced in respect of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). It was noted that this was a national issue. In relation to performance, over 90% of EHCPs were completed within the 30 week timescale.

·           Improvement in communications with parents, which had already been addressed.

·           The need for a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) transport review.  It was confirmed that this would be reported back in due course.

Decisions

That the Executive Director, People (Children) be asked to progress the recommendations for Dorset Council.

To receive a recommendation from the Joint Public Health Board held on 4 February 2019.

The Committee considered recommendations of the Joint Public Health Board from its meeting held on 4 February 2019 regarding the future arrangements of the Board for Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

Decisions

1. That the proposed role and remit of the Joint Public Health Board to provide oversight and assurance on public health services delivered via the Public Health Grant be supported; and,

2. That the updated Terms of Reference for the Joint Public Health Board, in particular the revised membership of the Board, be agreed.

To consider a report by the Lead Member for Safeguarding.

The Committee considered recommendations from the Shadow Overview and Scrutiny Committee from its meeting held on 4 February 2019 on new Safeguarding Children Partnership Arrangements.  Members supported the report and welcomed the prominence of the voices of children, young people and families as a significant part of the future of safeguarding.  It was also recognised that progress would need to continue to be made in respect of integration with neighbouring local authorities.

Decisions

1. That the Pan Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership Plan be approved.

2. That delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director – People (Children) for the plan to receive independent scrutiny ahead of submission to the Secretary of

State for Education by 29 June 2019.

To consider passing the following resolution:

To agree 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 below it is likely that if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Decision

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 below it was likely that if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

To consider an exempt report by the Lead Member for Adult Services.

The Committee received a report by Cllr Jill Haynes as the Cabinet Member for Health and Care, Dorset County Council in respect of the contract award arrangements for the Bridport Gateway Care Campus Development.  The report was considered by the Dorset County Council Cabinet at its meeting held on 6 March 2019 which agreed the recommendations. 

Cllr Haynes provided an extensive overview of the history and progress to date to arrive at a point of considering preferred bidders for the campus..

Members recognised the significant achievement of the project in realising the potential for the site and the benefits that residents and service users would gain from the development as well as the local community. 

Questions were asked in relation to the quality and cost of the future provision as well as the contractual monitoring arrangements throughout the life of the development.  Responses to the questions provided assurance for the Committee.  Members were also briefed in relation to the communications arrangements for the development.

Decision (unanimous)

That the decisions of the Dorset County Council Cabinet be supported.

To consider any items of business which the Chair has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be specified in the minutes.

There were no items of urgent business pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972 considered at the meeting.