Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology was received from Ian Comfort, Chair of Dorset Centre of Excellence Ltd.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 16 June 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 received.

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 kate.critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on 14 October 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 report.

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 kate.critchel@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  8.30am on 14 October 2022.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There were no councillor questions.

To consider the Committee’s draft Forward Plan.

The draft Forward Plan was received and noted.

To receive a verbal report on the appointment of new DCOE directors.

The Corporate Director for Commissioning & Partnerships advised that there had been two new director appointments to the Board: Frances Nicholson and Stuart Jones, which the committee noted.  There was also a recruitment process taking place to appoint an additional director who would be selected by 31 October 2022.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director Commissioning and Partnerships.

The Executive Director for People (Children) introduced the report by giving members an update on the current position of the Dorset Centre of Excellence (DCOE) and Coombe House School. The school opened for the autumn term on 13 September 2022 with a phased approach of 36 children on the current school roll.

The growth of the school roll has slowed, with fewer children attending in September than was initially forecast in the original business plan.

The Corporate Director for Commissioning and Partnerships set out the detail of the report highlighting the areas of enhanced co-operation between the Dorset Centre of Excellence Board and the council. This was to ensure that both sides worked more closely together within the terms of the commissioning agreement to support the progress of the DCOE recovery plan.

The committee was further advised that a programme of works relating to the school had been completed; the details of which were listed within the report. There had been an increased on-site presence of Dorset Council officers and there was a lot of work being carried out in terms of recruitment activity.

She confirmed that new placements for children not returning to Coombe House had also been secured.  It was confirmed that the business plan was being reviewed and any further development of services on the site had been paused to enable the company to focus on re-opening the school.

Following an opportunity to ask questions the report was received and noted.

To consider a report of the Independent Chair of the Board of Directors.

Dr Sharina Klaasens advised that the Board had addressed the issues that impacted on the successful opening of the school. She confirmed that the Board welcomed the support from the officers of the council and a comprehensive programme of professional development was in place to ensure that teachers and support staff had the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to provide a safe and effective learning experience.

The children on the school roll were content, settled and learning.

The Chairman welcomed the report and as there were no further questions the report was received and noted.

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 report.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following items in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within meaning of paragraph 1 & 2 of schedule 12 A 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.

It was proposed by Cllr P Wharf and seconded by Cllr A Parry

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt business information within the meaning of paragraph 1 & 2 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Exempt appendix associated with the “Commissioner’s Report”.

The committee received an update on human resources and pupil related information in respect of the Coombe House School.