Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Ridout.

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 Ireland declared that he was a governor at Dorset HealthCare and his wife worked at Yeovil District hospital.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2022.

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary, seconded by Cllr Pipe.

Decision

That the minutes of the previous meeting be confirmed and signed.

To receive any updates from the Chair of the committee.

The chairman said that the committee would be receiving a briefing from officers of NHS Dorset on a decision to merge Portesham and Prince of Wales Surgeries.

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, 3 November 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, 3 November 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 a report by the Corporate Director for Commissioning and Partnerships.

The Corporate Director for Commissioning introduced the report to the committee. The approach to resettlement was being delivered by services across the council. There were a number of people who volunteered to take part in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme but have not been matched. Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are received in Dorset through two different ways, such as a national scheme.

The committee asked questions and officers provided responses. The following points were raised:

·         There were 62 cases where Ukrainian refugees needed to be rematched with host families after 6 months. Some of these cases have not been rematched and were staying in bed and breakfasts until a host family can be found.

·         Winter fuel payments are an application-based process. Officers check that guests are still staying with them before it is paid.

·         The scheme has been positively received.

·         There was a lack of public transport in rural areas, so some refugees were finding it difficult to travel.

·         Some matching arrangements were made independently and did not take some factors into account.

·         There was not a plan for families who wated to return to Ukraine when the war is over, although officers would start looking at a plan.

·         There were different requirements for the resettlement schemes. Housing Ukrainian families was different to housing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

·         Some of the customer services team working own the covid response were diverted to working on the resettlement schemes.

·         Unaccompanied children unable to be cared for in Dorset were being cared for out of county in Croydon, Swindon, and Gloucestershire.

·         Information about further funding into the second year was expected.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help welcomed the support and feedback of the wider community who were helping with the response.

It was agreed that the committee receives a report in 6 to 9 months coving the details of future funding and the future effect on council services.

To receive a report by the Corporate Director for Education and Learning.

The Corporate Director of Education and Learning introduced the report. The strategy included the expansion of some schools and capital investments in others. It ensured that the needs of children in Dorset could be met, whilst effectively managing resources.

The committee asked questions and the following points were raised:

·         There would be 14 inclusion hubs attached to mainstream schools

·         Where there was a significant change, there would need to be a consultation.

·         In relation to paragraph 2.14 of the report, the average cost for a placement in an independent special school was higher than a maintained special school because of the way that the primary market operated, and the sector was fragmented.

·         Members were encouraged to talk to officers if there were concerns about funding for any school.

·         Officers have worked with all schools regardless of their governance. The governance structure gave different statutory relationships.

·         The remaining third of mainstream schools would need to academize by 2030.

·         The achievements of young people varied depending on their needs.

The item was continued in exempt business.

To review the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report (report to follow).

The independent chair of the Safeguarding Adults Board introduced the board’s annual report. The board was a strategic partnership between 3 statutory organisations and had wide engagement from public services. The independent chair shared a presentation highlighting key areas of the report which is attached to these minutes.

The committee asked questions of the independent chair and the following points were raised:

·         The data for Dorset and BCP Councils were presented in different formats, so it was difficult to compare.

·         There could be comparisons to other authorities which were similar to Dorset.

·         Dorset’s contribution to the board would increase in line with BCP’s contribution. It would also include an uplift from other partners in line with the RPI in January.

·         The Integrated Care Board was a statutory partner.

·         The board would need to be assured that adult social care teams are effectively finding support and referring people to the right agencies in domestic abuse cases.

·         Data could be used to look for improvements.

The committee noted the report.

To consider the committee’s forward plan and that of the Cabinet.

The committee reviewed their forward plan.

A member raised the Dorset County Hospital – Building a new ED and Critical Care Unit item listed under potential agenda items. The chair informed the committee that this would be held as a briefing for councillors.

There would be a report on CareDorset at a future 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 press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

Proposed by Cllr Taylor, seconded by Cllr Pipe.

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following item(s) in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Sufficiency of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Provision

The committee discussed the information included in the exempt Appendix 2 of the report.

The committee requested an all-member briefing on SEND provision and the information contained in the exempt appendix. A discussion would be had with the Executive Director of Place and relevant portfolio holder on bringing an update to the committee at an appropriate time.