Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday, 17th December, 2024 6.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ. View directions

Contact: George Dare  01305 224185 - Email: george.dare@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

85.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 525 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2024.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

86.

Declarations of Interest

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.

 

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest to report.

 

87.

Public Participation

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 either 1 question or 1 statement for each meeting.  You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.   If you submit a statement for the committee this will be circulated to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes for the formal record but will not be read out at the meeting. The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received from members of the public or organisations for each meeting will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline set out below.  Further information read Public Participation - Dorset Council

 

All submissions must be emailed in full to susan.dallison@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on Thursday 12 December 2024.

 

When submitting your question or statement please note that:

 

         You can submit 1 question or 1 statement.

         a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context.

         It must be a single question and any sub-divided questions will not be permitted.

         Each question will consist of no more than 450 words, and you will be given up to 3 minutes to present your question.

         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.

Minutes:

There were no questions or statements from the public.

 

88.

Questions from Councillors pdf icon PDF 99 KB

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 susan.dallison@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  by 8.30am on Thursday 12 December 2024. 

 

Dorset Council Constitution Procedure Rule 13

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was one question from Cllr Lugg; the question along with the response by the Cabinet Member for Place Services is set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.

 

89.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 212 KB

To consider the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Minutes:

The draft Cabinet Forward Plan for January to April 2025 was received and noted.

 

 

90.

Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme Project Outline Business Case pdf icon PDF 353 KB

To consider a report of the Service Manager – Flood and Coastal Erosion.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That:

 

  1. The Dorset Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme Project Outline Business Case (found in Appendix A), be endorsed.

  2. The draw-down of the £3m grant funding, ongoing throughout the project, be authorised.

  3. The procurement of the necessary materials, professional & other services and construction contractor(s) for the project be approved and authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place Services in consultation with the Executive Director Corporate Development and the Cabinet Member for Place Services to award necessary contracts on appropriate terms and subject to a budget being identified and allocated, and that the total value of the contracts within the project should not exceed £3m.

 

Reasons for the decision:

The £3m outline business case requires cabinet approval. The recommendations give officers the necessary authority to draw-down the external grant funding and progress the project to the delivery stage.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Place Services introduced the report. The project included exploring how to adapt to the effects of climate change on the coast. Funding for the programme would be provided through a £3m grant from the Environment Agency.

 

Non-Cabinet members raised points around how volunteer expertise could be used, and the impacts of global warming on sewage treatment plants.

 

Proposed by Cllr J Andrews, seconded by Cllr S Bartlett.

 

Decision:

That:

 

  1. The Dorset Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme Project Outline Business Case (found in Appendix A), be endorsed.

  2. The draw-down of the £3m grant funding, ongoing throughout the project, be authorised.

  3. The procurement of the necessary materials, professional & other services and construction contractor(s) for the project be approved and authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place Services in consultation with the Executive Director Corporate Development and the Cabinet Member for Place Services to award necessary contracts on appropriate terms and subject to a budget being identified and allocated, and that the total value of the contracts within the project should not exceed £3m.

 

 

91.

Dorset National Landscape (AONB) Interim Management Plan pdf icon PDF 361 KB

To consider a report of the Dorset National Landscape Manager.

Decision:

That the Dorset National Landscape interim management plan be adopted.

 

Reason for the decision:

a) to fulfil Dorset Council’s legal obligations under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000.

 

b) to enable the existing management plan policy framework to remain current until a new plan is adopted.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council introduced the report. The current management plan was due to finish in 2024, however the government gave permission to extend it to 2025 whilst a new plan was developed.

 

Members asked questions related to local food producers and the economy. The Head of Growth and Economic Regeneration would provide a written response to members on this topic.

 

Proposed by Cllr N Ireland, seconded by Cllr C Sutton.

 

Decision:

That the Dorset National Landscape interim management plan be adopted.

 

92.

Alderholt Neighbourhood Plan 2022-2034 pdf icon PDF 180 KB

To consider a report of the Community Planning Manager.

Additional documents:

Decision:

a)    That the Council ‘makes’ the Alderholt Neighbourhood Plan 2022 - 2034 (as set out in Appendix A of the report) part of the statutory development plan for the Alderholt Neighbourhood Area.

 

b)    That the Council offers its congratulations to Alderholt Parish Council and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group for producing a successful neighbourhood plan.

 

Reasons for the decision:

To formally ‘make’ the Alderholt Neighbourhood Plan 2022 - 2034 part of the statutory development plan for the Alderholt Neighbourhood Area. In addition, to recognise the significant amount of work undertaken by the Parish Council and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in preparing the plan and to congratulate the Council and the Group on their success.

 

Minutes:

The report was introduced by Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning. The Neighbourhood Plan was a statutory development plan for the area. He congratulated Alderholt Parish Council for the work to develop the Neighbourhood Plan.

 

There were no comments from members.

 

Proposed by Cllr S Bartlett, seconded by Cllr J Andrews.

 

Decision:

a)    That the Council ‘makes’ the Alderholt Neighbourhood Plan 2022 - 2034 (as set out in Appendix A of the report) part of the statutory development plan for the Alderholt Neighbourhood Area.

 

b)    That the Council offers its congratulations to Alderholt Parish Council and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group for producing a successful neighbourhood plan.

 

 

93.

Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan Minor (Non-Material) Modifications Review pdf icon PDF 142 KB

To consider a report of the Community Planning Manager.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the minor (non-material) modifications, set out in Appendix A to the report, are made to the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan.

 

Reasons for the decision:

To correct errors that have been identified in the ‘made’ (adopted) Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning introduced the report for modifications of Blandford Neighbourhood Plan. These modifications would correct an error within the plan. The council was able to make these changes without a public consultation.

 

The Ward Member for Hill Forts and Upper Tarrants acknowledged the work of Blandford and the surrounding villages for producing the plan. She sought assurance that any changes in the role of Neighbourhood Plans, following a government consultation, would be shared with communities. The Cabinet Member assured that information would be shared with communities and parishes.

 

Proposed by Cllr S Bartlett, seconded by Cllr J Andrews.

 

Decision:

That the minor (non-material) modifications, set out in Appendix A to the report, are made to the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan.

 

94.

Integrated Care System Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme pdf icon PDF 964 KB

To consider a report of the Strategic Health and Adult Social Care Integration Lead and Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme Director.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That:

 

1.    The system-wide work, that is being undertaken to transform urgent and emergency care services and to provide better outcomes for the residents of Dorset, be commended.

 

2.    The important role for Dorset Council as ‘Lead Partner’ and managing the contract with Newton, and the substantial financial benefits to the Council that will be achieved as a result of the transformation, be noted.

 

3.    Authority by delegated to the portfolio holder for adults in consultation with the Executive Director for Corporate Development and the Executive Director People – Adults to enter into the UEC Partnership Agreement on behalf of the Council.

 

Reason for the decision:

To support the improvement of urgent and emergency health and care outcomes for Dorset residents.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care introduced the report on the Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme. The local health system had a higher number of acute hospital beds being occupied than the national average. Health and social care partners were delivering a Dorset system-wide transformation programme to improve access to help. The voluntary and community sector was included in the programme.

 

Members commented on the report and raised concerns about how this work would impact residents who access healthcare or hospitals in other counties. The Cabinet Member said that new ways of working for the council would apply to the whole council area, but the benefits for the NHS may not be felt across the council area. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Strategy suggested starting conversations with Somerset and Wiltshire to make improvements for residents living near the county boarder.

 

Members emphasised the importance of the voluntary and community sector in being fundamental for the success of the programme. A member suggested that there should be consideration of including the sector in the partnership agreement.

 

In response to questions about the programme, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said it was a 2-year programme, with benefits being seen after 6 months. He said there were strong relationships with the NHS and was confident that there would be good rewards from the programme, due to its success elsewhere.

 

Proposed by Cllr S Robinson, seconded by Cllr C Sutton.

 

Decision:

That:

 

1.     The system-wide work, that is being undertaken to transform urgent and emergency care services and to provide better outcomes for the residents of Dorset, be commended.

 

2.     The important role for Dorset Council as ‘Lead Partner’ and managing the contract with Newton, and the substantial financial benefits to the Council that will be achieved as a result of the transformation, be noted.

 

3.     Authority by delegated to the portfolio holder for adults in consultation with the Executive Director for Corporate Development and the Executive Director People – Adults to enter into the UEC Partnership Agreement on behalf of the Council.

 

95.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy 2024-27 pdf icon PDF 327 KB

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Education and Learning.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy 2024-27 be approved.

 

Reason for the decision:

To ensure the council has a robust strategy to provide good outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This is within a challenging national context.

Minutes:

The SEND Strategy 2024-27 was introduced by Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills. The strategy aimed high for children with special needs. There were delivery plans beneath the strategy which would help deliver and monitor it.

 

In response to a question on the statutory overrise for the High Needs Block, the Executive Director for Corporate Development explained the council’s current financial position and what would happen to the council’s finances if this was not extended. There was a long-term recovery plan to reduce the deficit and conversations with the Department for Education to extend this over a longer period.

 

Members asked for updates on progress to Osprey Quay school and Mountjoy school. The Corporate Director for Education gave a brief update on these schools and committed to update members regularly on the development of Osprey Quay school.

 

A member queried the risk assessment being identified as low risk. The Corporate Director for Education assured that the risk of approving the strategy was low, however the financial risks caused by the high needs block were high.

 

Proposed by Cllr C Sutton, seconded by Cllr S Robinson.

 

Decision:

That the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy 2024-27 be approved.

 

96.

Quality Assurance Reviewing Officer (QARO) Independent Reviewing Officer's (IRO) Annual Report 2023-2024 pdf icon PDF 262 KB

To consider a report of the Quality Assurance Service Manager.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the Quality Assurance Reviewing Officer (QARO) Independent Reviewing Officer's (IRO) Annual Report 2023-2024 be received and noted.

 

Reason for the decision:

To ensure that the QARO service continues to develop and evolve to offer the best possible support and challenge to the Local Authority in meeting the needs of our children in care, and to ensure voices of children and young people in care are heard and acted upon.

Minutes:

The Annual Report was introduced by Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education, and Skills. She outlined the positive developments in the report, such as pre-escalation, and the areas identified where improvements could be implemented.

 

Members sought assurances that the council was addressing ‘edge of care’ procedures following the death of Sara Sharif and whether the council had a register of home-schooled children. Officers assured that they worked with families at the earliest point to ensure families do not get into crisis situations. The council issues child protection plans and brings children into care in a planned way when it was right to do. The council had a record of families where children are home-schooled. The council would work with families to understand the reasons for home schooling and a high percentage of families were visited for welfare checks. A change in legislation mandating a register of home-schooled children would be welcome.

 

In response to a question about data on the setting of children, officers confirmed that this data was included in the quality assurance framework and could be included within this annual report in future years.

 

Proposed by Cllr C Sutton, seconded by Cllr S Robinson.

 

Decision:

That the Quality Assurance Reviewing Officer (QARO) Independent Reviewing Officer's (IRO) Annual Report 2023-2024 be received and noted.

 

97.

Designated Officer Annual Report pdf icon PDF 451 KB

To consider a report of the Local Authority Designated Officer.

Decision:

That the Designated Officer Annual Report be received and noted.

 

Reason for the decision:

To provide understanding of the management of allegations process and the impact of Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education, and Skills introduced the report and outlined the key points. A positive part of the report was that length of time from the first contact to an outcome has improved. The role of Local Authority Designated Officer had a positive effect.

 

There were no comments from members.

 

Proposed by Cllr C Sutton, seconded by Cllr S Robinson.

 

Decision:

That the Designated Officer Annual Report be received and noted.

 

98.

Refurbishment of Hardy House, Portland pdf icon PDF 166 KB

To consider a report of the Housing Enabling and Delivery Team Leader and the Senior Housing Funding and Delivery Officer.

 

There is one exempt appendix (Appendix 1) associated with this report.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the award of contract for refurbishment of Hardy House to A Hammond and Sons Ltd (As set out in Appendix 1 of the report), be approved.

 

Reason for the decision:

Dorset Council has a statutory duty under the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018 to provide a number of principle duties to those threatened with or who are homeless, including providing emergency and temporary accommodation. By increasing the number of properties owned and managed by the Council there will be a reduction of the Council’s use of Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation. This will lead to a direct revenue saving to the Council and an opportunity to generate income – whilst also providing a better service to our residents who find themselves homeless. Hardy House will be refurbished to provide accommodation for those threatened with homelessness or who are homeless.

 

Minutes:

The report was introduced by Cabinet Member for Health and Housing. A priority of council was housing and there was an aim to remove B&B use for temporary accommodation. The proposal was to convert the property to support 5 families on a temporary basis, where 1 flat would be accessible. Some of the funding for the project was provided by Homes England.

 

In response to a question about whether further development could be done on the site, the Cabinet Member said it could be investigated if it was a large area of land, however it would need to be appropriate and have agreement from the Planning authority.

 

A member asked whether there was an opportunity to use the Homes England funding to convert empty properties into temporary accommodation. The Cabinet Member confirmed that the funding from Homes England was specifically for this site. She stated that the council was doing other work on bringing empty properties into use and using compulsory purchase orders when necessary.

 

Proposed by Cllr G Taylor, seconded by Cllr N Ireland.

 

Decision:

That the award of contract for refurbishment of Hardy House to A Hammond and Sons Ltd (As set out in Appendix 1 of the report), be approved.

 

99.

Urgent items

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 recorded in the minutes.

Minutes:

There were no urgent items considered at the meeting.

 

 

100.

Exempt Business

To consider passing the following recommendation:  

 

Recommendation  

 

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in item(s) No 18 and 19 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.  

 

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered. (Any live streaming will end at this juncture).  

Reason for taking the items in private

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Minutes:

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews, seconded by Cllr S Bartlett.

 

Decision:

 

That the press and the public be excluded for the following item(s) in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Reason for taking the item in private

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  

 

The live streaming was concluded at this juncture.

 

101.

Acquisition of land known as “KwikFit site”, Westwey Road, Weymouth - Exempt

To consider an exempt report of the Head of Growth and Economic Regeneration.

Decision:

That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report be approved.

 

Reason for the decision:

To support the delivery of the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) proposals.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth introduced the exempt report.

 

Members commented on the report and received responses from the Cabinet Member and officers.

 

Proposed by Cllr R Biggs, seconded by Cllr S Clifford.

 

Decision:

That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report be approved.