Meeting documents

Details of all Members’ interests in District, Town and Parish Councils will be displayed in the meeting room. The Statutory Register of Member’s Interests can be inspected via the Community Governance team.

Cllr Burridge-Clayton declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 8 in his capacity as a Member of the Somerset Adoption Panel.

The Committee is asked to confirm the minutes are accurate.

The Committee agreed that the minutes of the last meeting were accurate and the Chair signed them.

It was noted that the responses to the public questions asked at the last meeting had not been received and the Director for Children’s Services gave an undertaking to ensure these were produced.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

The Chairman will allow members of the public to ask a question or make a statement about any matter on the agenda for this meeting. These questions may be taken during the meeting, when the relevant agenda item is considered, at the Chairman’s discretion.  

There were no questions asked, statements/comments made or petitions presented.

To discuss any items for the forthcoming work programme. To assist the discussion, the following documents are attached:

a) – The Cabinet’s latest published forward plan;

b) – Current Work Programme for the Committee;

c) – Outcome Tracker.

The Committee Chair explained the reports that make up the work programme agenda item and the importance the Committee should attach to planning its future work.

The Committee then considered and noted the Cabinet’s Forward Plan of  proposed key decisions in forthcoming months.

The Committee considered and agreed its own  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

To receive an update on the single regional adoption service.

The Lead Officer provided an update and overview of the recent past and changes that were undertaken in 2017 to create the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA). Overall it was stated that 31 children had been adopted last year and against the Department for Education scorecard a good rating had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To receive a presentation.

The Strategic Manager Joint Commissioning introduced this topic and provided Members with a general overview following the recent strategic annual review of the P2i service. The Lead Officer was also accompanied by a former P2i resident who spoke about her experiences.

It was explained that the review had included provider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To consider and comment on this report, in advance of the proposals being presented to the Cabinet meeting in May.

The Committee considered this report introduced by the Director of Children’s Services (DCS). Members were reminded that last September the Cabinet deferred a decision regarding the future direction of young carer provision in Somerset, pending the completion of an engagement exercise to obtain more information about potential options. 

It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

To consider this report and presentation.

The Committee considered this report that provided an update about the Children’s Social Care (CSC) team following their Ofsted inspection in November 2017, plans have been in place to address the recommendations outlined in the Ofsted report and improve the quality of social work practice, and the service offered to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

To consider this report.

The Committee considered this report introduced by the Director of Corporate Affairs that explained the County Council Vision as being about improving lives in Somerset by creating:

·         A thriving and productive County that is ambitious and confident;

·         A County of resilient, well-connected and compassionate communities working to reduce inequalities;

·         A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

The Chairman may raise any items of urgent business.

The Chair, after ascertaining there were no other items of business, thanked all those present for attending and closed the meeting at 13.01.