Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 September 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Leader of the Council made a statement explaining that the Dorset Council had been invited by the Secretary of State to express an interest for an Investment Zone by 14 October 2022. The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property, along with the Leader of the Council would weigh up the options and it was likely that a report would be brought forward to Cabinet on this matter in November.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest to report.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work, or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit up to two questions or two statements for each meeting.  Alternatively, you could submit one question and one statement for each meeting.  

All submissions must be emailed in full to kate.critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on Thursday 29 September 2022   

When submitting your question(s) and/or statement(s) please note that: 

• no more than three minutes will be allowed for any one question or statement to be asked/read  
• a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context and this will be included within the three-minute period 
• please note that sub divided questions count towards your total of two 
• when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g. the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder) 
• Include your name, address and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting. 
• questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda 
• all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.   

Dorset Council Constitution Procedure Rule 9 

There were 2 questions/statements from the public. A copy of the full questions and the detailed responses are set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  

Councillors can submit up to two valid questions at each meeting and sub divided questions count towards this total.   Questions and statements received will be published as a supplement to the agenda and all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting. 

The submissions must be emailed in full to kate.critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  8.30am on Thursday 29 September 2022. 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There was 1 question from Councillor B Heatley; this along with the responses are set out in Appendix 2 to these minutes.

In response to a supplementary question, the Leader of the Council confirmed that the council would want to engage with appropriate stakeholders whilst also aiming to meet government deadlines.

To consider the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The draft Cabinet Forward Plan for November 2022 was received and noted.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy.

(i)             That the national context and the headlines from the recent fiscal statement (the mini budget), as set out in the report, and its potential impact on this Council and its plans, be noted.

(ii)            That the updated cost pressures, as set out in the report and the validation work that has been carried out on them, be noted.

(iii)          That agrees/updates the assumptions being used in the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP);

(iv)          That the financial gap arising from (ii) and (iii) above, be noted.

(v)           That the 2023/24 principles for budget setting be agreed.

(vi)          That the approach to closing the budget gap, as set out in the report, recognising that this is work in progress, be noted.

(vii)         That Portfolio Holders work with officers to continue to identify and develop further efficiencies and savings.

(viii)       That the next steps and timetable leading up to the 2023/24 budget being presented to full Council on 14 February 2023, be endorsed.

Reason for the decision

Councils are required by law to set a balanced budget. Essentially this means that expenditure is balanced by income without unsustainable use of one-off, or short-term sources of finance. This paper came to Cabinet to provide an update on the budget gap for 2023/24 and the subsequent years of the MTFP and to update on progress on action/savings to date including the 2022/23 forecast performance against budget.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial & Capital Strategy presented a report that provided a framework for the budget for 2023/24 and the MTFP for 2023-2028. As part of his presentation, he set out the pressures on the council’s budget including the inflation rate and pay award. He continued by expressing his concerns around significant under funding for the council from central government.

In response to questions regarding financial stability, the Leader of the Council confirmed that many unitary and county councils nationally were facing multi-million budget gaps which largely existed due to inflation factors.

It was proposed by Cllr G Suttle seconded by Cllr A Parry.

Decision

(i)             That the national context and the headlines from the recent fiscal statement (the mini budget), as set out in the report, and its potential impact on this Council and its plans, be noted.

(ii)            That the updated cost pressures, as set out in the report and the validation work that has been carried out on them, be noted.

(iii)          That agrees/updates the assumptions being used in the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP);

(iv)          That the financial gap arising from (ii) and (iii) above, be noted.

(v)           That the 2023/24 principles for budget setting be agreed.

(vi)          That the approach to closing the budget gap, as set out in the report, recognising that this is work in progress, be noted.

(vii)         That Portfolio Holders work with officers to continue to identify and develop further efficiencies and savings.

(viii)       That the next steps and timetable leading up to the 2023/24 budget being presented to full Council on 14 February 2023, be endorsed.

Reason for the decision

Councils are required by law to set a balanced budget. Essentially this means that expenditure is balanced by income without unsustainable use of one-off, or short-term sources of finance. This paper came to Cabinet to provide an update on the budget gap for 2023/24 and the subsequent years of the MTFP and to update on progress on action/savings to date including the 2022/23 forecast performance against budget.

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care.

(i)             That the issues highlighted in the sustainability of local social care services, and the interventions proposed, be noted.

(ii)            That the Market Sustainability Plan (attached to the report of 4 October 2022) for submission to the Department for Health & Social Care, be approved.

(iii)          As part of the plan, Cabinet approve the approach to the future uplifting of usual rates paid for key categories of adult social care services, always subject to available budget.

(iv)          That the proposal to submit the final plan for second review by the People & Health Overview Committee ahead of submission in February 2023, be noted and, on that basis

(v)           Authority be delegated to the Executive Director of People (Adults & Housing), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care & Health and the Executive Director of Corporate Development, to approve for submission the final version of the plan in February 2023, subject to any amendments not being of significant additional financial impact to the Council.

Reason for the decision

As set out in section 5 of the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to promote the efficient and effective operation of a market in services for meeting care and support needs, with a view to ensuring services are diverse, sustainable and high quality for the local population, including those who pay for their own care

Cabinet considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health on a new approach for a sustainable market for adult social care and support. The Corporate Director for Commissioning confirmed that the submitted plan and the processes set out by central government was an important step towards moving the care market to a more sustainable position.

It was proposed by Cllr P Wharf seconded by Cllr J Haynes

Decision

(i)             That the issues highlighted in the sustainability of local social care services, and the interventions proposed, be noted.

(ii)            That the Market Sustainability Plan (attached to the report of 4 October 2022) for submission to the Department for Health & Social Care, be approved.

(iii)          As part of the plan, Cabinet approve the approach to the future uplifting of usual rates paid for key categories of adult social care services, always subject to available budget.

(iv)          That the proposal to submit the final plan for second review by the People & Health Overview Committee ahead of submission in February 2023, be noted and, on that basis

(v)           Authority be delegated to the Executive Director of People (Adults & Housing), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care & Health and the Executive Director of Corporate Development, to approve for submission the final version of the plan in February 2023, subject to any amendments not being of significant additional financial impact to the Council.

Reason for the decision

As set out in section 5 of the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to promote the efficient and effective operation of a market in services for meeting care and support needs, with a view to ensuring services are diverse, sustainable and high quality for the local population, including those who pay for their own care

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

That the revised timetable for the production of the Dorset Council Local Plan, the Minerals Plan, the Waste Plan and various Neighbourhood Plans within the Local Development Scheme be acknowledged and that this will come into effect as of 4 October 2022.

Reason for the decision

To enable the publication of the updated Local development scheme to outline the revised timetable for the production of the Dorset Council Local Plan and other planning documents as required by section 15 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)

The Portfolio Holder for Planning set out a detailed update on the Local Development Scheme.  He advised that the extension of timescales for the new Dorset-wide Local Plan was required to complete the work in developing the plan and would incorporate responses from the consultation process.

It was likely that the adoption of the plan would take place in 2026.

It was proposed by Cllr D Walsh seconded by Cllr G Carr-Jones.

Decision

That the revised timetable for the production of the Dorset Council Local Plan, the Minerals Plan, the Waste Plan and various Neighbourhood Plans within the Local Development Scheme be acknowledged and that this will come into effect as of 4 October 2022.

Reason for the decision

To enable the publication of the updated Local development scheme to outline the revised timetable for the production of the Dorset Council Local Plan and other planning documents as required by section 15 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services.

That the Air Quality Action Plan for Chideock be approved and adopted.

Reason for decision

The Air Quality Action Plan is required as part of the Councils statutory duty within the Local Air Quality Management framework. The Council is committed to improving the air quality and it is important to consider the cost effectiveness and feasibility of different measures.

The Environment Act 2021 includes provision for additional air quality objectives related to particulate matter which have not been previously included in the national framework. The proposed AQAP reflected this addition.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services presented a report seeking the adoption of the Air Quality Action Plan for Chideock.  She explained that the plan outlined measures to improve air quality, although it was accepted that the Council had no control over the A35 trunk road.

Members were further advised that Chideock Parish Council had been fully consulted on the plan; and that the plan had been considered by Place and Resources Overview Committee prior to it being submitted to Defra for approval.

The Leader of the Council acknowledged the comments of the local ward and other members, who indicated that the issue of air pollution was a serious matter and not only in Chideok, but other areas of Dorset. In response to further questions the Head of Community and Public Protection confirmed that other suitable areas would be considered for monitoring in the future.

The recommendation was proposed by Cllr L Beddow seconded by Cllr R Bryan. In seconding the motion, Cllr Bryan stated that introduction of electric and other more sustainable powered vehicles, would have a positive impact on air quality going forward.

Decision

That the Air Quality Action Plan for Chideock be approved and adopted.

Reason for decision

The Air Quality Action Plan is required as part of the Councils statutory duty within the Local Air Quality Management framework. The Council is committed to improving the air quality and it is important to consider the cost effectiveness and feasibility of different measures.

The Environment Act 2021 includes provision for additional air quality objectives related to particulate matter which have not been previously included in the national framework. The proposed AQAP reflected this addition.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help to report.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help gave a detailed update on the Children Services priorities (see attached at appendix3).

He highlighted

·       The Children, Young People and Families Plan

·       Summer Swimming Programme

·       Work with Citizen’s Advice and Age UK to support the household support fund.

·       Working with Public Health Dorset

·       Young people taking part with “Youth Council” “Takeover Challenge” and through Corporate Parenting Board

·       Pineapple Project

·       The Birth to Settled Adulthood project

·       Supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

·       Adoption and Permeance fostering and

·       80% of Dorset Schools were either Good or Outstanding following Ofsted visits.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder(s) and Leader Members to report.

There were no items to report.

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 recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items considered at the meeting.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business to report.

There were no exempt items to report.