Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received by Cllrs Pete Barrow, Stella Jones, and Rebecca Knox.

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

Proposed by Cllr Batstone, seconded by Cllr Ezzard.

Decision: That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2023 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, 16 March 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, 16 March 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 receive a report of the Independent Chair.

The Lead Member for Health introduced the report. There were challenges ahead for the project, however there was strong leadership within the partnership. The project was providing better outcomes for families and young people.

The Independent Chair gave a presentation which is attached to these minutes. This has been a positive and productive year, and the programme was on track. The report focussed on four strengths and four areas of risk. Strengths included programme leadership, partnership commitment, political oversight, and programme planning. The areas of risk included focus, funding, workforce preparation, and communications and engagement.

Committee Members asked questions of the Independent Chair, who responded to the questions. The following points were raised:

·         The programme was measuring sentiments, so the partnership can understand if people think the programme is getting better.

·         The programme would not stop if there was no funding.

·         There was a need to know how much is spent and where savings would need to be.

·         The partnership was not particularly strong at the start of 2022; however, it has developed and there was a strong commitment from leaders.

·         Relationships in the partnership were now more developed.

·         There was a political commitment to change.

·         The process to recruit a new programmed director had started.

Members asked for examples of the project and the difference it was making.

The Committee asked for another report of the Independent Chair at the meeting on 14 September 2023.

To consider the Committee's Work Programme and Cabinet’s Forward Plan.

The committee noted their work programme.

The Chairman asked for an interim report on the Housing Strategy to be brought to the meeting on 27 June.

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.