Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received as all members of Cabinet were present.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 20 June 2017, previously circulated.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2017 were presented.

Resolved

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2017

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no announcements.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Questions may also be asked by members of the Council.  Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Yamina Rhouati of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 27 June 2017. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

The Leader explained her approach to public participation and stated that she would take any representations under the item to which it related.

In response to question by Councillor Ian Thorn, that following a budget decision by Council, the Council no longer sent printed copies of planning applications to parish and town councils. It was noted that there were occasions where it was appropriate to ask developers to provide copies of complex documentation. It was also note that this specific issues had been the subject of a question at the Environment Select Committee, and that the timing of the letter to parish and town councils had been operationally led.

 Report by the Corporate Director, Carolyn Godfrey.

Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which: gave an overview bid to the Department of Education Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme for £1.9m of funding; and sought delegated authority for the Corporate Director for Children’s Services, in consultation with the Lead Member to accept any successful grant offer from the Department for Education (DfE).

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: : that the project was a system-wide change to services; that the Council had submitted a grant application to the DfE has part of their Innovation Fund Programme; the likelihood of the bid being successful; that the project would still progress without the additional funding but would be delivered over a longer time-frame; and that the new volunteer scheme, particularly recruiting volunteers from families who had previously received services, had been received favourably.

Resolved

To delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Children’s Services, in consultation with the Lead Member to accept any successful grant offer from the Department for Education.

Reason for Decision:

The Department for Education has not provided a definitive date for a decision on the bid, originally stating June/July 2017. This may now be delayed due to the General Election and we are currently awaiting an update. The new  service will go live in September 2017 and thus delegated authority is required so a successful offer can be accepted immediately and be accessible to progress the project at the earliest opportunity.

Report by the Corporate Director, Carolyn Godfrey.

Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which provided  a year-end report to Cabinet regarding the performance of the Adoption Service within Wiltshire Council. It was noted that this was a requirement of the condition of registration as described in 2014 Adoption Minimum Standards and 2013 Statutory Guidance that Cabinet is satisfied that the Adoption Agency complies with the conditions of registration, is effective and is achieving good outcomes for children.

Councillor Mayes, in her presentation, highlighted the performance of the service against indicators such as the number of children adopted and the length of time that children waited in care. She also gave examples of the families she had met and commended the care given to them.

Councillor Ian Thorn commended the officers and the Lead Member for their progress in this area.

The Leader added her thanks, and commended the team for their attitude to seeking loving homes for even the most difficult to place children with complex needs.

Resolved

That the contents of this report are noted and accepted.

Reason for Decision:

Wiltshire Council is an Adoption Agency registered with Ofsted. The 2014 Adoption Minimum Standards (25.6) and 2013 Statutory Guidance (3.93 and 5.39) describe the information that is required to be regularly reported to the executive side of the local authority to provide assurance that the adoption agency is complying with the conditions of registration whilst being effective  and achieving good outcomes for children and service users. This is done by means of an annual report and an interim six month report.

Report by the Corporate Director, Carolyn Godfrey.

Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which provided Cabinet with a review of developments and progress with the Council’s Child Sexual Exploitation Action Plan in relation to the Key Themes: Prevent, Protect and Pursue.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the multi-agency approach to tackling the issues; how agencies can take action to disrupt and prevent potential perpetrators; the work undertaken to promote awareness in schools and in the wider community; and the further work that could be done with Councillors and Area Boards.

In response to a question from Councillor Ian Thorn, the Associate Director, Terence Herbert, stated that he was satisfied that the funding and management structures were sufficient to support the plan.

Resolved

To note the progress made against the CSE action plan since 19 July

2016

Reason for Decision:

Wiltshire Council has a zero-tolerance approach to CSE and has treated CSE as a high priority

By maintaining oversight of the CSE Action Plan at the highest level, the Council can ensure that CSE remains a priority.

 Report by the Corporate Directors, Carolyn Godfrey and Dr Carlton Brand.

The Leader presented the report, including the additional information published in the supplement, which gave an overview of the feedback received following the consultation on the draft Business Plan.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the changes suggest for incorporation following comments from consultees; the views expressed at the Overview & Scrutiny Committee; that some issues would be addressed through the development of detailed action plans; the difficulties in long-term financial planning given the uncertainty over national government’s spending plans; that there were plans for further integration between health and social care services but this did not include joint budgets.

In response to question from Councillor Sarah Gibson, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated that he was happy to discuss further the aspiration of longer term planning for communities.

In response to issues raised by Councillor Ian Thorn, the Leader stated that she would be open to discuss amendments to the plan, but these should be discussed prior to the meeting of full council so that their viability could be properly assessed.

Resolved

That the update plan be recommended to Council for adoption.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the Business Plan to be considered by Council at its meeting in July.

 Report by the Corporate Director, Dr Carlton Brand.

Councillor Richard Clewer presented the report which outlined a new People Strategy for 2017 – 2027 which highlights the strategic workforce priorities relating to recruitment, engagement and workforce development, and is aligned with the new Business Plan 2017 – 2027 and Digital Strategy 2021.

Resolved

To note the contents of the report and appendix 1 and support the delivery of the new People Strategy 2017 – 2027.

 Report by the Corporate Director, Dr Carlton Brand.

Councillor Philip Whitehead presented the report which recommend the adoption of the Wiltshire Council Digital Strategy 2017 – 2021.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the views of the Overview & Scrutiny task group; the changing pattern of how people access services online; the need to retain alternative methods for those with difficulty accessing online services; the efforts to increase access to faster broadband and to support people in accessing online services; and the wider opportunities for using data to further personalise services.

In response to question from Councillor Sarah Gibson, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated that he was happy to discuss further the aspiration of longer term planning for communities.

In response to issues raised by Councillor Ian Thorn, the Leader stated that she would be open to discuss amendments to the plan, but these should be discussed prior to the meeting of full council so that their viability could be properly assessed.

Resolved

To note the feedback received from Overview & Scrutiny;

That the Digital Strategy be adopted; and

That an update be presented to Cabinet in twelve months time.

Reason for Decision:

The organisation has already been progressing on a digital journey. Whilst development has been made by many areas of the business, this strategy will ensure greater coordination of digital activities in an efficient and more cost effective way to maximize the potential for cost savings and leading to an improved customer experience.

 Report by the Corporate Director, Dr Carlton Brand.

Councillor Philip Whitehead presented the report which recommend the adoption of the Wiltshire Council Digital Strategy 2017 – 2021.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the steps taken to ensure that consultants are treated differently to employees to avoid negative tax implications; that the impact of the contact on smaller and local contractors had been considered and would be monitored; and the opportunities for transferring skills as part of consultancy work.

Resolved

To implement the neutral vendor solution via Bloom with a goal of implementation commencing Autumn 2017. This project should be viewed as a Strategic Procurement initiative designed to aid the implementation of category management and support the council’s strategy around securing best value Consultancy and Specialist Professional Services.

To approve the award the provision of consultancy services to Bloom under the call-off agreement to the NEPO compliant framework agreement and to delegate to the Associate Director for Corporate Services the entering into and the finalising of the call-off contract.

Reason for Decision:

To establish improved governance and better control expenditure on the procurement of specialist professional services and consultancy.