Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies, however Cllr Holloway attended virtually so he could not 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.

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 Wednesday, 14 December 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 Wednesday, 14 December 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 consider the report by the Corporate Director for Education and Learning and the Service Manager for Inclusion.

The Service Manager for Inclusion introduced the item and gave a presentation which is appended to these minutes. She highlighted the key information which included a link between attendance and success, a rise in absence for the year 2021/22, and that children entitled for free school meals were often the most absent. An attendance workshop identified strengths and 5 priorities.

The committee asked questions and provided comments on the report. The following points were raised:

·       The strategy would be reviewed by the Education Board on a termly basis.

·       One day a fortnight of absence has a significant impact on the pupil.

·       There are council link officers to schools that can discuss issues and help families access support.

·       There was a need to explore how to reduce families taking holidays during term time.

·       In relation to families that identify as Roma Gypsies, Kushti Bok and the Dorset Youth Association are supportive of the attendance strategy.

·       The Dorset Inclusion Toolkit was an online resource to help schools improve attendance.

·       In the future there will be live data rather than relying on census data.

·       Sending sick children to school could have an impact on the attendance of other children through the illness spreading.

·       There was a campaign around free school meals and ensuring that schools get pupil premium funding.

·       There was a link between coastal poverty and academic achievement.

·       Children need to be educated on online safety as it can impact their mental health.

Proposed by Cllr Parkes, seconded by Cllr Batstone.

Decision:

That the attendance strategy and associated plan be recommended to Cabinet for approval.

To consider the report by the Commissioning Consultant.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health introduced the item. There had been a variety of engagement sessions and co-production so that all partners were involved in developing the strategy. He would explore how this committee could have more involvement in developing policies.

The Corporate Director for Commissioning gave a presentation on the development of the commissioning strategies. It included what had been done since the last time they were considered at the committee, details on the engagement sessions, and the key themes raised through the engagement. The presentation was included in the agenda.

Members asked questions on the development of the commissioning strategies. In response to questions, the following points were raised:

·       There was an industry standard ratio for carers, but it depended on the type of care.

·       Technology and interest were evolving. There were digital ways of accessing information without IT skills, such as using an Amazon Alexa.

·       ‘A Better Life’ was an aspirational title for the transformation plans.

·       CareDorset had a fraction of the total care market, and they were included in the overarching strategy.

·       There would be a move from day services to day opportunities.

·       There were different housing options to look at for carers.

·       There were capacity issues in addressing the backlog of care assessments.

The committee provided the following feedback for officers:

·       There should be a degree of consistency across services in the use of the word ‘community’.

·       There was a need to be emphasising a good quality of life.

·       The council should encourage career progression for care workers.

·       There was a need to encourage farming tenants to provide day opportunities, such as for retired farmers.

·       There was a need to look at the use of day centres.

The committee discussed creating a task and finish group to explore the priority themes set out in the presentation, starting with day opportunities.

Proposed by Cllr Parkes, seconded by Cllr Batstone.

Decision:

1.     That the committee establish a Task & Finish group with a draft terms of reference being brought to the next committee meeting.

2.     That the feedback received on the commissioning strategies be noted.

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

The update on the Children’s social care review was deferred to a future meeting due to there not being an update from government. There were no further updates on 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.