Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillor Coombs declared an interest in respect of exempt agenda item 17, ‘Building Better Lives – Programme Overview and approach to Wareham Gateway’, as Chairman of the Dorset Council Eastern Area Planning Committee.  In order to prevent a conflict of interest when the issue was considered at the Eastern Area Planning Committee, she indicated that she would leave this meeting during consideration of the item.

Councillor Roberts declared an interest as a provider of domiciliary care to the Local Authority.

Councillor Penfold declared an interest in respect of exempt agenda item 17, ‘Building Better Lives – Programme Overview and approach to Wareham Gateway’, as she had previously visited the site with the NHS body.  She indicated that she would stay in the room during consideration of the item.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

There were no representations from town or parish councils or from members of the public.

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.

The Chairman indicated that she would be moving agenda item 8, ‘People Scrutiny Committee work programme’ to the end of the agenda.

To consider the Youth Justice Plan 2019/20 and to recommend its approval to Cabinet (and on to Full Council).

The committee received and considered a report with regard to the Youth Justice Plan for 2019/20.  Councillors were informed that there was a statutory requirement to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which must provide specified information about the local provision of youth justice services. The report summarised the Youth Justice Plan for 2019/20, with a copy of the Plan appended.  It was noted that the Youth Justice Plan needed to be approved by Full Council.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion, the following points were raised:

·                A point was raised with regard to the closure of youth clubs, including youth worker arrangements and whether this had an impact in this area.  It was noted that some work had been done in this area and although it was hard to pinpoint reasons, it was reasonable to assume that this had an impact

·                The Executive Director for People – Children, provided information with regard to the restructure within the Children’s Services Directorate and noted that feedback from partners and young people was being taken into account.  Part of this was the establishment of an adolescent service including Cabinet approval for a residential hub for children and young people

·                A discussion was held about the link with schools and how resources would be deployed and work undertaken with schools moving forward.  The focus was on prevention and early intervention.  It was noted that there was a need for better links with schools and for there to be a broad and diverse approach

·                The link with mental health issues was raised and in response it was noted that the importance of mental health was recognised and that the service had a strong mental health team and in addition, worked closely with the Looked After Children Team.  A part-time psychologist provided consultation to the nurses and the whole service and a training programme was in place

·                In response to a point raised with regard to the use of restorative justice, an example of work undertaken was provided.  Work was being undertaken with the Head of Youth Services for Dorset Police to put forward a proposal

·                The potential impact on a persons’ life chances if they received a youth caution was noted

·                It was suggested that the committee could undertake more in-depth work with regard to looked after children

·                Councillors considered the figures for first time entrants to the service during the previous year and the number of custodial sentences received.  It was noted that these figures included the area of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.  The situation nationally was also referred to

·                No custodial establishments were available in the South West of England

·                A query was raised with regard to a cost of £65,000 set out in the report for performance and information gathering.  In response it was confirmed that this represented the cost of the case management system and the salary of a Performance and Information Management Manager.  It was noted that the service relied on a good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The People Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider the recommissioning approach set out in the report and recommend the approach to Cabinet for approval.

The committee received a report that set out the issues around the recommissioning approach for Domestic Violence and Abuse Services In Dorset.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion the following points were made:

·                A comment was made that the committee may need additional information in order to fully consider the issues in this area including an explanation of acronyms, a copy of the previous contract and information around the increasing numbers of people presenting to the service

·                In order to provide an integrated service in a rural area, a comment was made that there was a need to look at more than just pattern changing services but also include a focus on issues around children in this area including whether the contract could provide for a children’s worker and the issue of stalking.  The role of and funding provided by external organisations was recognised and it was felt, should be part of the contract.  Although the report suggested a like for like service, it was felt that more was required in order to provide support to all that required it

·                The Domestic Violence and Abuse service was a demand led service and it had been noted where the highest incidences were.  However there was a need to ensure that there was service coverage for the whole area

·                A point was raised with regard to spaces available in refuges and it was noted that a provider would be expected to find refuge accommodation elsewhere if there was none available locally.  People may also be moved out of the area due to safety issues

·                In respect of the impact on children in this area, close working was undertaken with Children’s Services.  A point was raised that children in these situations were not always identified and that this should be a priority in the new contract

·                A discussion was held with regard to the availability of refuge accommodation

·                It was important to have a whole system approach in this area, working alongside non statutory agencies who provided support

·                Through the procurement process, there was a need to ensure that providers understood the direction of travel and the current issues

·                It was noted that the approach set out in the report allowed the council to provide a service.  However, there needed to be work undertaken to look at how all partners, including the council, health, police and voluntary organisations, came together and developed the support available.  It was recognised that this would take some time to develop

·                A question was raised with regard to pilot projects to be undertaken and information was provided on some projects being undertaken

·                There was a need to do more work on the referral process and to evidence the success of interventions and measure outcomes beyond crisis intervention

·                A provider engagement event had been held and those attending had been happy with the approach, which allowed further work to develop good practice.  It was noted that there were already good examples of innovation in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

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 4 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.

It was proposed by Councillor Parker seconded by Councillor Sutton

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 4 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

To consider a report of the Building Better Lives Programme Manager.

The Chairman reminded all present that this agenda item was being considered under exempt business and therefore all discussion within the meeting was confidential and could not be discussed outside of the meeting.

In addition to the information contained within the report, the committee was provided with a presentation which provided an overview of the issues and options under consideration.  Councillors asked questions with regard to the issues arising from the report.

A number of invited attendees addressed the committee during discussion on the item as follows:

·                Councillor Hilary Goodinge attended the meeting on behalf of Wareham Town Council and provided a statement on behalf of the town council

·                Councillor Ezzard, ward member for Wareham, provided a statement on behalf of herself and Councillor Holloway

·                Councillor Carr-Jones, spoke as Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing

·                Diana McLaughlin, from the Dorset CCG and representing GPs in the Wareham Surgery attended to show the organisation’s commitment to the programme and approach

·                Matthew Metcalfe, attending on behalf of Dorset NHS provided some comments on the development

The committee discussed the issues arising and the options presented in the report.

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts seconded by Councillor Roe that the recommendations set out in the report be supported with the addition of a point to recognise that this was a multi-agency project.

Decision

That the People Scrutiny Committee support the recommendations contained within the exempt report in the agenda for the meeting with the addition of a point to recognise that this was a multi-agency project.

To review the People Scrutiny Committee Forward plan including a matrix for potential topics.

To review the Cabinet Forward Plan (to follow).

The Scrutiny Officer provided an overview of items on the committee work programme and councillors noted those items expected at the next meeting.