Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Alford and Parkes.

Cllr Holloway attended virtually so he was unable to take part as a committee member.

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 confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2022 and 19 December 2022.

Proposed by Cllr Jones, seconded by Cllr Ezzard.

Decision:
That the minutes of the meetings held on 24 October and 19 December 2022 be confirmed and signed.

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 george.dare@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on Thursday, 26 January 2023.

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 was no public participation.

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 george.dare@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on Thursday, 26 January 2023.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no questions from councillors.

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.

To consider a report by the Head of Service – Children in Care and Care Leavers.

The Head of Service for Children in Care and Care Leavers introduced and outlined the report. The proposals included a recommended 15% increase in the overall payment for foster and supported lodging carers.

Members asked questions about the report and received the following responses:

·         The foster carers’ allowance rises annually in line with national guidance. The fee paid by the council has not increased which was why it was included in the proposal.

·         Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 automatically become children in care.

·         Dorset carers receive the Dorset payment rate if they do not live in the Dorset Council area.

·         There was a need to ensure that unaccompanied minors living out of county could access education and healthcare.

·         Some potential foster carers do not become foster carers because they are not deemed suitable, or they decide they themselves decide they are not ready during the assessment process.

·         In some cases, it was possible to match a child with a family on the same day that they are approved.

·         It used to take an average of 9 months to approve a potential foster family, but it now takes 6 months.

Proposed by Cllr S Jones, seconded by Cllr Ezzard.

Decision:

That an average of 15% increase in the overall payment for Dorset foster carers and supported lodging carers be recommended to Cabinet.

To consider a report by the School Place Sufficiency Manager.

The School Admissions Manager introduced the School Admissions Arrangements and Co-ordinated Scheme 2024-25. They were a group of statutory documents that were needed for allocating school places.

Members asked questions related to catchment areas, school transport, and reducing numbers of pupils at school. The School Admissions Manager advised members that:

·         There were no plans to make changes to school catchment areas.

·         There were consultations when there was a proposal to change a catchment area.

·         The Portfolio Holder speaks to local members when there were significant consultations on schools.

·         There needed to be a consultation if academies wanted to change their admission numbers.

·         The Local Authority may submit an objection during a consultation.

Members also made the following comments:

·         Children going to schools where they were not entitled to free school transport could lead to a financial burden on the family.

·         The Armed Forces Policy was welcomed due to the number of armed forces families living in Dorset.

·         All Dorset schools should be rated good or outstanding.

Proposed by Cllr Ezzard, seconded by Cllr Lugg.

Decision:

That the following policies that make up the School Admissions Arrangements and Co-ordinated Scheme 2024-25 be recommended to Cabinet for approval:

1.         Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme Timetable 2024-2025

2.         Primary Co-ordinated Scheme 2024-2025

3.         Secondary Co-ordinated Scheme 2024-2025

4.         In Year Co-ordinated Scheme 2024-2025

5.         Admissions Arrangements for Community & Voluntary Controlled Schools 2024-2025.

6.         Admissions to Maintained Nursery Units Policy 2024-2025

7.         Sixth Form Admissions Policy 2024-2025

8.         Guidance on Placement Outside of Normal/Chronological Age Group 2024-2025

9.         Armed Forces Policy 2024-2025

To receive a report by the Corporate Director for Commissioning and Partnerships.

The Executive Director of People – Children introduced the item and summarised the key parts of the report. Dorset was one of 12 national pilot sites opening family hubs The hubs would create revenue savings for the council and they would be accessible and integrated with other services. There was an aim to open a network of hubs by June 2023. Some hubs were capital projects and would not open until 2024. Part of the family hub network would be virtual to enable families to access the resources online.

Members made comments and asked questions on Family Hubs. The following points were raised:

·         There has been engagement with Primary Care Networks and Local Alliance Groups.

·         In response to a question on getting the right model for different communities, the council will be working in partnership with voluntary organisations.

·         Local community groups could get involved with family hubs through their Local Alliance Group.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help felt the council was ready and excited to deliver family hubs because the council was leading nationally on them and because children’s services was rated good and outstanding.

A non-committee member said that the Local Alliance group in the north of Dorset was not working well. The member felt that a digital offer would not work well for families who needed one-to-one contact. The Portfolio Holder and officers responded. The option of a ‘pop up’ model for rural areas was being considered. Officers would look at the Local Alliance Group.

To receive a report by the Commissioning Consultant.

The Commissioning Consultant introduced the report and updated the committee on what happened to the Market Sustainability Plan since the last time the committee considered it. The draft plan was submitted to Government and there was national feedback on the plans. There was no reason to change any actions in the plan. The Fair Cost of Care exercise would be completed again.

A member asked for an explanation of Care Cubed. It was an independent piece of software which helped to understand placement costs with providers.

A member asked for clarification on the role of the Provider Association. It was an association led by care market professionals and looked at best practice and key issues in the industry. It gave an independent voice to providers working with the council.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health thanked the committee for the input they have given to the Market Sustainability Plan. He was disappointed that Government did not provide specific responses to the plans.

To approve the Terms of Reference for the Day Opportunities Task & Finish Group and to confirm the membership of the group.

At its meeting on 19 December 2022, the People and Health Overview Committee made a decision to establish a Task & Finish Group on the adult social care priority theme of day opportunities. The decision was made under Minute 39 – Developing Commissioning Strategies for Adult Social Care.

The Committee considered the draft terms of reference for the Day Opportunities Task & Finish Group.

Members discussed the timescale of the task & finish group and how members would be appointed to the group.

The group may choose to extend the timescale until May or June.

Proposed by Cllr Knox, seconded by Cllr Dunseith.

Decision:

That the terms of reference for the Day Opportunities Task & Finish Group be agreed.

To consider the Committee's Forward Plan and that of the Cabinet.

The Vice-Chairman updated members on items that had been added to the committee’s forward plan following the publication of the agenda.

The committee were content with the forward plans.

To move the exclusion of the press and public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12A 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.