Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Holloway.

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 declared an interest in item 7 – Adult Social Care Market Sustainability Plan. He said that there was no specific or pecuniary interest that applied at this current time, however he expected one to arise in the reasonably near future.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2022.

Proposed by Cllr Batstone, seconded by Cllr Lugg.

Decision: That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 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 Monday, 5 September.

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 

The committee received a question from the member of the public. The question and response are attached to these minutes.

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 Monday, 5 September. 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There were no questions from members.

To receive a report by the Corporate Director for Care and Protection.

The Corporate Director for Commissioning and Partnerships introduced the item. The report shared key findings of detailed work on a national level. Some of the potential reforms could need significant funding from the government. Some elements of the review would be well placed for Dorset as there were changes that the council has already considered doing or have already started. However, there were some significant challenges within the report.

The committee discussed the report, and the following questions and comments were made:

• The council is ahead of the curve on some of the potential reforms.
• Independent Review Officers were a crucial part of the process to work with young people and social workers.
• There are already advocates for children in Dorset.
• There needed to be more partnership working between children’s social care and education services.
• There were differences between councils in the region which could cause challenges for Regional Care Co-operatives.
• The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help shared concerns with his counterparts about a regional format. They felt that local models were the best way forward.
• In response to a question about recruiting enough staff, members were advised that children’s services were not having as much difficulty recruiting compared to other places. Staff saw the model was attractive and a good place to work.
• Councillors should be encouraged to support staff in a reasonable way.
• It was important that Dorset Council was an employer of choice and that recognition was important.
• A member did not agree with the creation of national pay scales. The Portfolio holder advised there were mechanisms to change local pay scales.

The committee would be kept updated with the potential reforms when the government has responded to the review and created an implementation plan.

The committee noted the report.

To receive a report by the Commissioning Consultant.

The Corporate Director for Commissioning introduced the Market Sustainability Plan and outlined the timeline to submit the final version of the plan. This plan was the market reform element of the wider adult social care reforms. Dorset Council has received £1.2 million to work towards market sustainability and further money was expected up to the year 2024-25. A presentation was given during this item, and it was included in Appendix 1 of this item on the agenda. Members were given the opportunity to raise questions at various points throughout the presentation.

Through questions and discussion, the following key points were raised:

• There was a specified agenda to deliver through the reforms.
• There was an opportunity for self-funders to have the council organise care on their behalf, however this was a choice, and they could find care from a different provider.
• Financial advice was not the council’s role; however, it could provide information and signpost.
• Due to Dorset having a higher proportion of elderly people, the Leader of the Council would be writing to the Prime Minister and engaging with the relevant new ministers about funding for the adult social care reforms.
• There needed to be an increase in engagement from care providers.
• The Local Plan was key to ensuring that there was enough affordable housing for people working in the care industry. Affordable housing needed to be built near residential homes.
• 22% of beds in residential homes were unoccupied due to a lack of staff.
• RSL’s could take some pressures off the service and the council was now working more in partnership with RSL’s.

The committee agreed that:

a)    The Market Sustainability Plan be recommended to Cabinet for approval, subject to any comments and amendments.

b)    There was an intention to return to the People & Health Overview Committee with the finalised plan as part of the second stage submission process.

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

The Committee considered its forward plan and that of the Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help offered to update the committee on family hubs, the virtual school, and the Children’s Social Care Review at the meeting on 31 January 2023.

The Adult Social Care Market Sustainability Plan would return to the committee in January 2023.

There was an additional meeting on 19 December 2022 to review the Adult Commissioning Strategies for Care Dorset.

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 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.