Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2025 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 either 1 question or 1 statement for each meeting.  You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.   If you submit a statement for the committee this will be circulated to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes for the formal record but will not be read out at the meeting. The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received from members of the public or organisations for each meeting will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline set out below.  Further information read Public Participation - Dorset Council

All submissions must be emailed in full to [email protected] by 8.30am on 20 June 2025.

When submitting your question or statement please note that: 

• You can submit 1 question or 1 statement.
• a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context.
• It must be a single question and any sub-divided questions will not be permitted.
• Each question will consist of no more than 450 words, and you will be given up to 3 minutes to present your question.
• 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.

There were no questions or statements from members of the public or local organisations.

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 [email protected]  by 8.30am on 20 June 2025.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no questions from councillors.

To note the shareholder committee terms of reference.

The terms of reference for the shareholder committee were noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Adult Commissioning and Improvement.

An update report for information will be published as a supplement.

The shareholder committee considered a report of the Corporate Director, Commissioning and Improvement, which presented the developments on the part of the Council, relevant to Care Dorset, and summarised significant developments since the last meeting of the shareholder committee. Particular reference was made to progress with the development of new reablement centres, thanks expressed to those that engaged in the recent consultation around day services and managers and staff within the day centres visited during the consultation, recognition of current budget challenges with thanks noted to the Dorset Care Association for their support, and an update on work undertaken to purchase a care home, which would not now be progressed.

Councillors considered the issues covered in the report and discussion was focused on the following areas:

·       The potential timing for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) local authority inspection was considered

·       The consultation relating to day centre provision currently operated by Care Dorset had closed and further work would be undertaken to look at where services were delivered and the needs of areas. This would include engagement with councillors and local councils to consider implications for their communities, including areas currently without day services. A report would be considered through the council’s democratic process towards the end of the year

·       Further work would be required to ensure that day centre buildings were financially viable and to support them to become community hubs

·       The impact of the rise in employers’ National Insurance rates and thresholds on the commissioner and providers was considered. Providers would be asked to review their cost bases and report if there were additional costs that were required to be met. There would be continued engagement with providers if and when issues occurred and the wider picture across the south west region would also be monitored.

The report was NOTED.

To consider a report of the Managing Director, Care Dorset.

The Chair of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of Care Dorset introduced the report, which provided an update on matters relating to Care Dorset since the previous meeting. This included Care Dorset’s financial and operational performance, workforce trends, governance and strategic priorities.

The new Chief Finance Officer was introduced to the shareholder committee. An update was also provided in respect of the appointments of the Chief Commercial Officer and the Clinical Director.

In presenting the report, the Managing Director made particular reference to the completion of fire safety remedial works, voluntary turnover levels and recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections, including at Streets Meadow, which had retained its ‘Good’ rating.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion, the following points were raised:

·       The Cabinet member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth would follow up in respect of a meeting due between Care Dorset and the council’s assets team

·       In response to a question regarding the Home Office’s Sponsorship Management System, the Managing Director noted that the position with recruitment within Care Dorset was positive and that there was not a reliance on overseas recruitment

·       The Corporate Director provided some comments on the situation regarding the above, on the social care sector generally, and noted that this was an ongoing issue. Links to the Government proposal for the fair pay deal were also noted with a requirement to understand funding in this area

·       Use of agency staff was expected to reduce by 40% by September 2025 and the impact on the budget was considered. The Managing Director reported that there was confidence that this could be achieved due to a number of measures put in place, including the introduction of reduced agency premium costs, improvements in sickness levels and increased support to managers in rota management

·       In response to a question, it was reported that there was a comprehensive approach to monitoring sickness absence within Care Dorset and further information was provided.

The report was NOTED.

To consider a report of the Managing Director, Care Dorset.

The Managing Director, Care Dorset, introduced the report which set out the audited annual accounts for the 12-months ending 30 September 2024. In addition, he noted that an impact report was available to shareholders and would also be available on the Care Dorset website. The report was for noting by the shareholder committee.

In response to a question regarding an increase in staff costs, the Managing Director provided an overview of staffing developments, including investment in improving levels in the care team and support centre and arrangements to ensure levels of staff resilience.

The Cabinet member for Adult Social Care commended Care Dorset on the financial position.

The report was NOTED.

To consider the Forward Plan.

The Forward Plan was noted.

To consider any items of business which the Chair 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 the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x 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.  

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.

There was no exempt business.