Issue - meetings

The report of the Ombudsman is attached with the minutes of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee meeting on 3 August 2009; the report considered by the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee is contained in Part 2 of the agenda.

N.B: The Borough Solicitor and the Borough Treasurer have the power to make the payment recommended by the Ombudsman if approved by Cabinet.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee upon a Local Government Ombudsman Complaint against the former Cheshire County Council.  The report of the Ombudsman was considered, along with the minutes of the above meeting.  It was noted that the report considered by that Committee had been placed in Part 2 of this agenda as it contained exempt information.

Having considered the advice of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee the Portfolio Holder (Children and Family Services) proposed that: -

• The Cabinet welcome the support of the Committee given to the proposal to implement the Ombudsman’s recommendations and to agree to implement them (Children and Families Scrutiny Committee resolution (a)).

• That the advice given by the Committee about reviewing practices and procedures (Children and Families Scrutiny Committee resolution (c)), about informing Members (Children and Families Scrutiny Committee resolution (d)), and about visits to services (Children and Families Scrutiny Committee resolution (e)) be accepted.

• That the exhortation of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee about the funding of Children’s Social Care Services (Children and Families Scrutiny Committee resolution (b)) be noted.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to accepting the advice of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee as set out above.