Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Brown and A J Knowles

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda

None

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research it would be helpful if questions were submitted at least one working day before the meeting.

A representative from the Older Peoples network attended the meeting to explain that since the Panel last met a meeting had be arranged with the Head of Service for Adults to discuss how to take any funding issues forward.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record.

Ms B Hughes, Interim Manager for Children’s Services attended the meeting to introduce herself and outline the key priorities for the service, which included, the draft structure, budget, establishment of a Children’s Trust, establishment of a Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and review of Transforming Learning Communities.

To give consideration to a position paper on Lifelong Learning and Employment Support

The Panel received a report, which outlined the current position with regard to Lifelong Learning and Employment Support. It was noted that there was currently a gap in staffing at Senior Management Level, which would need to be addressed.

With regard to interviewing potential employees it was agreed that Human Resources should bear in mind people with disabilities to ensure that everyone would be given a fair chance and the authority was ‘Positive about Disability’.

RESOLVED

1. That the report be noted

2. That consideration be given to the needs of those people with disabilities when job interviews are being undertaken

To give consideration to a summary on Social Care Redesign (Adults)

The Panel received a report, which outlined the current position with regard to Social Care Redesign. Members commented that the budget would be challenging. It was noted that any redundancies would be part of the transitional costs and would therefore not have an impact on the overall service budget. Members highlighted the importance of retaining key skilled staff.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted

To give consideration to a report on the whole systems review of Cheshire Sensory Impairment Services

The Panel received a report, which outlined the current position with regard to the review of the Sensory Impairment Service. It was reported that that the work plan was up to date and that a report setting out the proposals would be submitted to Council in due course.

With regard to the review of the Visual Impairment Service, it was reported that work was being undertaken and that the review group had a wide representation from all services involved in sensory impairment including Children’s Education/Schools Services and Older People Services.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To receive a verbal update on Safeguarding Adults

The Panel received a verbal update on the Safeguarding Adults Service. It was reported that with regard to the establishment of setting up a Safeguarding Adults Board, a meeting with representatives from all key areas had been held to formulate a personal specification and advert for the position of independent Chairman. It was agreed that in order for the Board to be successful, the Chairman would need to be strong and representatives on the board would need to be at senior manager level.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. The Strategic Director for People advised Members that the following items would need to be considered at the meeting scheduled to be held on 2 March 2009:

1. Corporate Dimensions for health and safeguarding
2. ‘Aiming High’ for disabled children
3. Paris Computer System

It was noted that two hour training sessions on Child Protection and Corporate Parenting was currently being developed for the Panel and relevant Portfolio Holders which would then be rolled out to all Members of the Council.

RESOLVED

That the work programme and training sessions be noted.