Venue: Committee Rooms A/B, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, DT1 1EE
Contact: Lindsey Watson Email: lwatson@dorset.gov.uk - (01305) 252209
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Declarations of Interest Councillors are required to
comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 regarding disclosable
pecuniary interests. Minutes: There were no declarations to report. |
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To confirm and sign the
minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 December 2018. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
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Public participation To receive any public
questions or statements on the business of the Shadow Overview and Scrutiny
Committee in accordance with the procedure rules as set out in the Shadow
Dorset Council Constitution. Minutes: There was no public participation to report. |
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Programme Highlight Report PDF 116 KB To review the latest
Programme Highlight Report, to be considered by the Shadow Executive Committee
on 14 January 2019. A copy of the report will be added to this agenda as a
supplement, in advance of the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: The committee considered the latest Programme Highlight Report
which set out progress since the last meeting of the Shadow Executive Committee
on 17 December 2018. The Programme Director noted that overall progress
remained at Amber. Work on the implementation
plans continued, with theme boards making significant progress on developing
the detailed service continuity plans. The Programme Director reported the following key achievements
since the last meeting of the committee. ·
Draft constitution nearing completion
following Member review, pending final minor outstanding items ·
Finance Order now ‘made’ in law from 2/1/2019 ·
Transitional Structures plan ready to be
launched into consultation in January ·
A balanced budget proposal reviewed by Budget
Working Group ·
Council Tax Harmonisation approach agreed by
the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ·
Branding ready to launch ·
Service delivery approach for eastern Dorset
agreed ·
‘Master list’ of Dorset Council policies complete And
the senior leadership recruitment process was nearing completion. The
Programme Director also reported that there were challenges around the Data
Disaggregation work which sought to identify, prepare and pass the case data
and associated files from Dorset Council (DC) to Bournemouth, Christchurch and
Poole Council (BCP). Work in this area was increasing in intensity to agree
plans and approaches with the BCP Programme, but there was an issue with the
availability of the detailed plans required by Dorset Council. This was being
escalated within the programme structure in order that it was resolved
urgently. The
committee noted that service delivery approach, accommodation arrangements and
recruitment processes were all on track. In response to questions regarding
data disaggregation, the Interim Transformation Programme Lead confirmed that
if cases were not able to be transferred to BCP there would be an agreement
between with two authorities that the DC would continue to hold that
information until such time that it could be transferred. However there were many options and
methodology available in order that disaggregation takes place in a timely
manner. The Interim Transformation
Programme Lead confirmed that on Day 1 information would be available in order
that statutory responsibilities could continue to be fulfilled. In
response to a question about the use of Capita to deliver a fully connected set
of financial systems, the Chief Executive confirmed that he was comfortable and
content with the current proposals. Members
thanked the Programme Director for his comprehensive report and update. |
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Readiness of critical/key services To receive a verbal overview
of issues relating to the readiness of critical/key services. Members can refer to the information contained within
the Programme Highlight Report (agenda item 5) to assist with discussion on
this item. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed officers who attended to respond to members
key lines of enquiry regarding readiness of critical and key services. The Chairman highlighted the following key
lines of enquiry:- (1)
Clearly there was a risk during a period of significant stress
that all will not go according to best hopes and plans. (2)
Some services will be more affected than others by staff issues a.
Which are affected, and maybe have been for some time? b.
Which are affected by national issues e.g. shortages of staff with
the required skills? c.
Which services are regarded as “at risk” because of the above? d.
Are there concerns about competition for staff between the two new
Unitaries? e.
Are there any emerging signs of increased problems with
recruitment and retention? f.
Are there any key time periods when they might emerge? (3)
Apart from personnel are there any other areas which pose a risk
to seamless service delivery? In response to a question, the Chairman confirmed that these points
of enquiry were circulated to members over the Christmas period. However they were not set in stone, but a
prompt to enable and start a conversation. The Chairman invited Cllr P Wharf to address the committee as the
Lead of the HR Work stream. Cllr Wharf asked members to be content that the
work stream and highlighted that officers had taken these matters
seriously. He reported on progress of
the process, but could not necessarily share staff structural or functional
details at this time. In discussions with key officers the following information was
shared or comments were made:- ·
That many staff were doing the day job as well as preparation work
for Day 1 ·
The HR work stream was working closely and constructively with
Unions ·
Although this was a challenging time, it was also exciting and
opportune for individuals. ·
In respect of Place; there were difficulties in recruiting
Environmental Health officers, however nationally there were shortages in this
area and this included Building Control, Planning plus some housing posts. This was not an exclusive Day 1 issue, but a
common challenge for many local authorities. ·
There was also a local training programme and a healthy
apprenticeship scheme in place. ·
In respect of People; for Children and Adults, it was expected
that Adult Social Care for Day 1 Dorset would be in a stronger position than
many of the surrounding areas. Vacancies would be at a manageable number. ·
There was a clear transition plan in place for the TUPE
arrangements for staff to transfer to the BCP Council. ·
Dorset and neighbouring councils working were together to ensure
that no employment destabilising took place. ·
In respect of Children services; Dorset was in a better position
compared to other local authorities, in relation to vacancies. ·
Children services would have a stable workforce in place as the
job was attractive, not just financial but offered manageable caseloads
compared to the national average. · Members recognised that this was an uncertain time and that officers were busy ... view the full minutes text for item 74. |
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Local Council Tax Support Scheme PDF 129 KB The
Shadow Overview and Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on the proposal set
out at 4.1 of the report. Committee’s
feedback will be presented for consideration by the Shadow Executive Committee
at its February 2019 meeting. Additional documents:
Minutes: The
Head of Revenue & Benefits (DCP) presented a report setting proposals for
Local Council Tax Support scheme (LCTS) for Dorset Council. As part of the LGR discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities
and Local Government (MHCLG) it was agreed that the Council would be allowed up
to two years to agree an aligned LCTS scheme. This was in recognition that
significant resources would be utilised to successfully implement the new
Unitary Council and that there may not, initially, be the capacity to support
the creation of an aligned scheme. However, members were advised that officers were of the view that
there was the capacity within existing resources to create an aligned LCTS
scheme from 1 April 2019. The report considered the benefits of
having an aligned scheme for 2019/20 and the opportunities that this would
bring to help reduce customer confusion and local authority administration. A
consultation exercise had taken place with customers and stakeholders. In presenting his report and in response to comments
from Councillors outside of the meeting, the Head of Revenue & Benefits
reported the following amendments to his report. 1.
Appendix 2- Existing LCTS schemes (pages 25
and 26 of the agenda) needed to be amended for EDDC and NDDC so that the
section headed “Who is protected under the scheme? Reads:- Pensioners Those
receiving: Disability Premium,
Enhanced Disability Premium, Severe Disability Premium, Carer Premium, Disabled
Child Premium, The Support Component
within their Employment Support Allowance Those in receipt of War
Disablement Pension, War Widows Pension or War Widows Disablement Pension Universal Credit
recipients, who are not pensioners, but the applicant or their partner is in
receipt of an income or premium listed above. 2.
Appendix 3 – LCTS Options (pages 27 and 28 of
the agenda) needed to be amended for Option B so that part was amended to:- Option B - aligned
scheme with a maximum support for those of working age (not protected) limited
to 90% Under this option, the
Dorset Council CTS would be aligned as follows: •
The scheme would be means tested and similar
to the old Council Tax Benefit scheme (where appropriate) •
Protection would be provided to the following
types of claimant: § Pensioners § Those
where the applicant (or partner) are receiving: ·
Disability Premium, Enhanced Disability
Premium, Severe Disability Premium, Carer Premium, Disabled Child Premium or
the Support Component within their Employment Support Allowance ·
Disability Living Allowance or Personal
Independence Payment but are not in receipt of one of the premiums mentioned
above § Those
in receipt of War Disablement Pension, War Widows Pension or War Widows
Disablement Pension § Universal
Credit recipients, who are not pensioners, but the applicant or their partner
is in receipt of an income or premium listed above. •
The maximum entitlement for protected
claimants would be 100% •
The maximum entitlement for those claimants
who are not protected would be 90% (based on Council Tax liability) • The scheme would provide support for those that have a second adult living with ... view the full minutes text for item 75. |
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Shadow Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme PDF 56 KB To consider the work
programme for the committee for 2018/19. To review the Shadow
Executive Committee Forward Plan. All members of the Shadow Dorset Council receive
notification when Shadow Executive Committee agendas are published on Mod.Gov
and the Shadow Dorset Council website.
Members of the Shadow Overview and Scrutiny Committee can review the
items to be considered on each agenda and raise issues for review or comment to
the Shadow Executive Committee as appropriate. Additional documents: Minutes: The Scrutiny Officer advised
members that a special meeting of the committee would be held on 21 January
2019 to consider the Budget for 2019/20.
The next scheduled meeting of the committee was due to be held on 4
February 2019; the recommendation regarding the committee’s “Call to Account”
would be reported the Shadow Executive Committee in due course. |
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Urgent items To
consider any items of business which the Chairman 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. Minutes: There were no urgent items. |