Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jean Dunseith and Stella Jones.

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.

Cllr Alford said that he had previously commented on the Dorset Council Plan Refresh at the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee and therefore would not discuss the item at this meeting. The Chairman advised that he was able to take part in the item.

Cllr Holloway declared that he had a pecuniary interest in Dorset Innovation Park and therefore would not participate or vote in the item on the Dorset Council Plan Refresh 2022-24.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 3 May and 11 May 2022.

Proposed by Cllr Batstone, seconded by Cllr Parkes.

Decision:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 3 May and 11 May 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, 23 June 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 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, 23 June 2022.

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 receive the report by the School Place Sufficiency Manager.

The School Place Sufficiency Manager introduced the home to school and post 16 transport policies. The policies are renewed each year and they provide they set out transport support for children in mainstream schools. After consultation, the policies were fundamentally unchanged. The cost of a surplus seat was increased to £825 and families with free school meals would have a 50% discount.

The committee discussed the policies, and the following points were raised:

• The policies should be straight forward, but they are not east to understand.
• Policies should be written in plain English.
• The £25 cost rise for surplus seats was in line with the RPI at the time of consultation.

Proposed by Cllr Alford, seconded by Cllr Batstone.

Decision: That the committee recommends to Cabinet that the Home to School and Post 16 Transport Policies are rewritten in plain English.

Officers suggested creating a ‘parent friendly’ version of the policies. Members felt that a parent friendly version should be A4 size but does not solve the problem of the policies not being in plain English.

Proposed by Cllr Batstone, seconded by Lugg.

Decision: That the committee recommends to Cabinet that:

1. The Home to School Transport Assistance Eligibility Polity for Children and Young People attending School 2022-2023 be approved and adopted, which includes a rise in the surplus seat price from £800 to £825.
2. The Dorset Post 16 Transport Support Policy for 2022-2023 which includes a rise in the surplus seat price from £800 to £825 be approved and adopted.
3. A schedule of increase of the Surplus Seat Cost in line with the prevailing Retail Price Index is implemented each year without the need to reconsult.
4. The Home to School Transport Assistance Eligibility Policy for Children and Young People attending School and Post 16 Transport Support Policy are re-consulted on only either when there is a significant change to the eligibility criteria; or where there are changes to the statutory guidance that would require significant change to either policy; or in October 2026 for the 2027-2028 policy – whichever is the earliest.

To receive a report by the Corporate Director for Transformation, Innovation and Digital.

The Corporate Director for Transformation, Innovation and Digital introduced the Council Plan Refresh 2022-24. The draft council plan was recently reviewed by the Place and Resources Overview Committee and the Corporate Leadership Team have been working to update it since that meeting.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services felt that there was a good economic case to prioritise culture in the council plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care & Health said that adult social care linked to 9 of the 10 priorities set out in the council plan refresh.

Members of the committee made the following comments:

• Working with the Integrated Care Systems should lead to ‘better outcomes’ rather than ‘better deals.’
• When writing about partner organisations in the plan, the language should not be confrontational.
• The word ‘residents’ should be included.
• The cross-cutting diagram rather than the circle diagram was better as it emphasised how the council works with communities.

To receive a report by the Interim Corporate Director for Commissioning.

The Corporate Director for Adult Social Care and Corporate Director for Commissioning introduced the adult social care white paper reforms and gave a presentation to the committee, which is attached to these minutes.

The reforms were extensive and included a new assurance and support framework, funding reforms, and market reform. The white paper sets a 10-year vision to transform support and care based on 3 objectives.

Committee members asked questions related to the adult social care reform. The following points were raised:

• The requirements were being fed into the Local Plan by the Corporate Director for Housing.
• Houses should be built with technology in. The TEC lounge showed some of what could be put in a new home.
• Building accommodation for staff which reduces travel.
• The committee would like input on policy that relates to Planning.
• Adult social care services were preparing for an inspection by the CQC.
• Waiting for detail about what the inspection would include. There was an expectation the inspection would not be in isolation and there would be key lines of enquiry to understand problem points.
• The care account was a very significant change to how the council was currently working.
• A briefing to this committee on the cost of care cap and the requirements would be appropriate.
• It was not clear if the council would receive additional funding for this work.
• Dorset has an ageing population so it would affect Dorset more than other Local Authorities.
• There would be a communications plan for the funding reforms which would include health and care staff, customer services, and libraries. It would communicate what residents should or should not expect.
• Wider support networks could help people find information, such as at doctors’ surgeries or libraries.
• Any data used would need to be precise and supportable.
• Colleagues in the Place Directorate should attend future meetings where adult social care reform is being discussed.

Decision:

1. That the proposed reforms to adult social care and health systems, and their implications for Dorset, be noted.
2. That the proposed approached to addressing those implications be endorsed.

At 11.35am there was an adjournment and the committee reconvened at 11.55am.

As the meeting was likely to extending beyond 3 hours, it was proposed by Cllr Parkes and seconded by Cllr Batstone that the meeting be extended to 13.30pm.

Decision: That the meeting be extended beyond 3 hours until 13.30pm.

To receive a report by the Director of Public Health.

The Director of Public Health introduced the item to the committee. A new health system known as the Integrated Care System (ICS) replaced the Clinical Commissioning Group on 1 July. The Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) would be part of the system. A presentation, which is attached to these minutes, was given to the committee to outline the ICP Strategy development.

Members discussed the strategy development, and the following points were raised:

• Success would be getting greater alignment with health organisations and reducing health variations in communities.
• The strategy would need to be clear and unambiguous as it would be influential to other organisations.
• Populations are important and services are taken up differently by groups of populations.
• The system would bring a new way of working between organisations which would lead to organisations effectively working in partnerships.

There was upcoming national guidance on health overview and scrutiny which would help shape the role of overview and scrutiny in the ICS.

The committee was supportive of the work being done to develop the ICP strategy.

To receive a report by the Commissioning Consultant.

The Corporate Director for Commissioning provided a summary of the content in the 4 documents related to these commissioning strategies. There was a presentation given to the committee which is attached to these minutes.

Members asked initial questions about the commissioning strategies. It was confirmed that the co-production process would engage with a cross-section of people, including engagement at town and parish council level. In a response to a question on respite for carers, the committee was informed that there were dedicated carers case officers and there were carer assessments.

Overarching Commissioning Strategy

The Corporate Director for Commissioning and the Commissioning Consultant explained the like to national policy and adult social care reform. The overarching strategy would include a glossary of adult social care terms.

There were no questions from members on the overarching commissioning strategy.

Older People with Support Needs

The strategy and outcomes for older people were outlined. There would be a move from day services to day opportunities. The strategy focussed on care and support at home, accommodation with care, and residential and nursing care.

A member asked a question on underutilised care homes and planning for the future. The Corporate Director for Commissioning said that capacity could be changed to areas where there were shortfalls, and it would be data led.

Working-Age People with Support Needs

The strategy and its outcomes were outlined. the strategy included the birth to settled adulthood programme, day opportunities, and accommodation with care. There were a series of service reviews which would add further content to the strategy. It also included shaping provision which addressed some issues and ambitions to meet needs.

Members made the following comments:

• The strategy was complex and diverse. It feels like there was too much in one strategy.
• The voice of a person with a learning disability should be captured, rather than their parent.
• The Shared Lives Panel was a marvellous thing to do in Dorset.

Carers Strategy

The strategy outcomes for carers were outlined. The strategy needed to have definitions and terminology of carers. The strategy included the vision for carers, services for carers, and improvement priorities.

A member asked how carers would be involved with the co-production process. The Commissioning Consultant said that a small number of carers were already involved which was insightful. There would be further co-production with carers during the summer.

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

The Chairman expected more items to be added to the forward plan which would follow on from the items discussed at this meeting.

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.