Agenda and minutes

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or personal 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.

A question was raised with regard to the need for members of the committee to declare an interest in respect of agenda item 7, ‘Dorset Council Grants Protocol’, as a number of committee members were involved with local organisations such as youth centres.  It was noted that the report was with regard to the creation of a process and was not about any specific grants.  Clarification would be sought from Legal as to the position for councillors in respect of the item.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the Committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

The deadline for submission of the full text of a questions or statements is 8.30 on Thursday 1 July 2021.

Details of the Council's procedure rules can be found at: Public Participation at Dorset Council meetings

There were no questions or statements from members of the public or local organisations related to items on the agenda.

To receive any questions from members in accordance with procedure rule 13. The deadline for the receipt of questions is Thursday 1 July 2021.

There were no questions from councillors.

To receive a report from the Executive Director for People, Children.

The committee considered a report of the Corporate Director for Education and Learning, which provided an overview of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on schools and youth provision, the work being done to support Dorset schools and youth providers and the efforts of schools that had continued to deliver support in their communities.

The committee considered the issues arising in this area and during discussion the following areas were covered:

·            Recognition of the importance of monitoring performance in this area to monitor impact and provide focus for potential change

·            Potential for the committee to monitor the long-term strategy plans with the suggestion of a report back to committee at an appropriate time

·            Overview of support provided to early years settings

·            Detail of regular communications taking place with schools, including around exams

·            Support provided to schools including an outreach service, advice for headteachers, a focus on children with vulnerabilities and working to improve outcomes for all children

·            Support for children who had now left school including a focus on apprenticeships and other work opportunities and the national conversation required in this area

·            Reference to summer activity programmes being run by some schools

·            Accessibility to services and resources to support young people

·            A report to be brought to committee in September 2021, with regard to a policy for home educated children.

The Chairman thanked all involved for their work in supporting children and young people.  In addition, he recognised the big impact that the pandemic had had on children and young people and the need to address funding for this area through MPs and government.

The Chairman invited the Monitoring Officer to comment on whether committee members needed to declare an interest in respect of the agenda item ‘Dorset Council Grants Protocol’.

The Monitoring Officer noted the concern that had been expressed by committee members as to whether they were required to declare an interest in the Dorset Council Grant Protocol item due to their involvement with any community organisations.  The Monitoring Officer recognised that all councillors could potentially be involved with community groups.  He noted that the Code of Conduct required councillors to declare an interest if it affected their finances or those of any group that they were involved with, if it affected them more than others and whether a member of the public would think that their involvement could potentially affect their judgement on a matter.  The report on the agenda was with regard to establishing a process which would apply to all bodies and was not considering specific grants to any organisations.  Therefore, he did not believe that committee members were required to make a declaration at the meeting and therefore all committee members could take full part in consideration of the item.

To receive a report from the Interim Executive Director People, Adults.

The committee received a report of the Service Manager, Housing Strategy and Performance, which outlined the process which had been undertaken to draft a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for Dorset Council and sought support from the committee to recommend the strategy to Cabinet for approval.

The committee considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion the following points were raised:

·            The objectives included in the report would be useful for future monitoring

·            Issues around the lack of affordable and social housing.  A future piece of work around the council’s Housing Strategy was noted for future review by the committee

·            Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on homelessness which would continue to be monitored

·            Links to work around domestic abuse reduction

·            Recognition of the challenge for officers and the Portfolio Holder in joining these issues up

·            The Equality Impact Assessment looked at challenges faced by people with protected characteristics and should highlight any issues around the armed forces covenant

·            A possible future report for the committee following discussions to take place with the Foster Carers Association

·            Suggested action required to ensure the availability of housing

·            Recognition of the role for the council working with a range of other organisations.  Thanks were expressed to all involved in the work.

It was proposed by P Batstone seconded by A Alford

‘Minded to’ Recommendation to Cabinet

That members of the committee recommend that Cabinet:

Endorse the work and agree:

1. The adoption of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021 - 2026
2. Delegation of authority to the Portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety to make minor amendments to the strategy and action plan and any amendments necessary to reflect legislative change.

The Corporate Director for Housing, having heard the debate, confirmed the ‘minded to’ Recommendation to Cabinet, under delegated powers on behalf of the informal meeting of the People and Health Overview Committee.

To receive a report from the Executive Director for Corporate Development.

The committee received and considered a report of the Business Partner – Communities and Partnerships which considered a proposed Dorset Council Grants Protocol, to provide a baseline standard for all competitive grants offered to the Voluntary Community Sector.

Consideration was given to the draft protocol and the following comments were made:

·       Small organisations without a bank account could nominate another organisation, such as a town or parish council, to hold grant funding on their behalf – this would be clarified in the protocol

·       Full terms and conditions were included with all grants and funding had to be returned if it was not spent

·       The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on some grants awarded was noted

·       The important role of local ward councillors and a request that the assessment process was amended to include consultation with local ward councillors (5-day timescale for comments), with their views to be provided to the assessment panel

·       Issues around liability insurance – further clarity would be provided within the protocol.

The Business Partner – Communities and Partnerships, noted the comments made by the committee as set out above which would be reported to the Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, who would take the decision in respect of agreeing the Dorset Council Grants Protocol.

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

Councillors noted the forward plan for the committee and the Cabinet Forward Plan.

A request was made for a workshop on the development of the Integrated Care System Plan to include an oversight of governance and achievements.  The workshop could be open to all interested councillors.  Following this, the committee could agree any further review to be undertaken.

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.