Agenda and minutes

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

         A number of Councillors who were existing County Councillors, Borough Councillors and Town and Parish Councillors declared a personal interest in the business of the meeting en bloc.

          Councillor Dorothy Flude declared a personal interest in several of the matters included on the agenda, by virtue of the fact that she wasa member of the Alzheimer’s Society, a Trustee for Crossroads Care, a member of several history societies and a member of the Central Cheshire Advocacy Services for People with Learning Difficulties.

          Councillor Jim Crockatt declared a personal interest in the item relating to Working with the Third Sector - A Partnership Framework for Cheshire East Council, by virtue of the fact that he wasa member of Senior Voice for Macclesfield, and Councillor Ray Westwood declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of the fact that he wasthe Chairman of a community organisation.

          In accordance with the Code of Conduct, the above Members remained in the meeting during consideration of these matters.

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.

There were no members of the public present who wished to address the  Panel.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2008.

Minutes attached.

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record, subject to the addition of Councillors J Crockatt and M Parsons and D Beckford to the list of Committee Members present and Councillors P Findlow and L Smetham to the list of Members in attendance.

To follow.

Consideration was given to a report, which contained proposals for the future Panel Work Programme.  It was noted that the focus of the report was on content rather than process and it would also be necessary for the Panel to consider what methodology would be effective for whatever pieces of work the Panel resolved to pursue.  The report set out some suggestions in respect of future working.

RESOLVED

That the suggestions for future working, as set out in the report, be agreed

and that the Panel consider whether it was appropriate to form Task Groups

in relation to any of the items included on the agenda when

consideration was given to them.

To receive a report of the Cheshire County Council Scrutiny Review Panel.

Report of the Panel attached.

        Consideration was given to the report of the Cheshire County Council’s Scrutiny Review Panel on Transforming Learning Communities.  The Terms of Reference for the review by the Panel was to assess whether the TLC process was addressing the issue of surplus school places and to review and report on the consultation process undertaken to date on TLC proposals, so that lessons learnt may be applied across the Council’s activities in the future.  The report to the Scrutiny Review Panel had included graphs, which demonstrated surplus places forecast and actual positions for primary and secondary schools.  David Ayres, Project Manager for TLC, attended the meeting and presented a series of slides providing detailed and updated information for Cheshire East.  Copies of the presentation slides were circulated, together with the leaflets “Transforming Learning Communities in Cheshire - A Case for Change” and “Transforming Learning Communities - Securing Learning for the Future”.

          It was noted that the new Cheshire East Council would need to consider how to manage the gap between supply and demand of school places.

          In considering the report, Members of the Panel raised the following issues:

          (i)      Reference was made to the merger, which had taken place, of an infant and junior school in Wilmslow and concern was expressed that it had been necessary to provide new classrooms and other facilities, at a substantial cost.  It was considered that the new Council needed to be aware of this and to make sure that any proposals were economically sound.  It was reported that one of the aims of the Primary Capital Programme was to rebuild and refurbish 50% of primary schools and to improve others and that Members of the Panel could be provided with information in respect of this, if required.

          (ii)     It was noted that the TLC process in Crewe had been very positive.  However, there were still some concerns in respect of costs and the amount of money spent on some individual schools and these issues needed to be addressed locally.  It was also hoped that Members would be more closely involved in the future TLC process.

                RESOLVED

1.      That a Task Group be formed to take this matter forward and to consider the process and how TLC needed to be managed across East Cheshire, the Task Group members to be :-

               Councillors Jim Crockatt

                                    Bill Livesley

                                    Michael Parsons

                                    Ray Westwood

                                   One representative from the Labour Group

2.      That the relevant Portfolio Holder be notified of the Task Group

               meeting dates.

3.  That consideration be given to the Terms of Reference, at the first

      meeting.

This paper, which is in the format of a Cabinet report, is presented to the Advisory Panel to enable Panel Members to be aware of a forthcoming Cabinet issue and to contribute views to inform the decision making of the Cabinet.

Report attached.

        Consideration was given to a report, which would be considered by Cabinet, at its meeting on 7 October, for endorsement of the emerging Model of Social Care, including the high level design principles contained within the report, as a framework for developing more detailed proposals for phased implementation by new Councils and for inclusion within the 2009/10 budget setting process.  The report was presented to the Panel, to enable Panel Members to be aware of the forthcoming Cabinet issue and to contribute any views to inform the decision making of Cabinet.

          In considering the report Members of the Panel raised the following issues:

          (i)      It was suggested that a set of indicators be produced to evaluate how the Model was performing, over a period of time, in terms of outcomes for Service Users  and it was suggested that a Task Group be formed in order to do this.

          (ii)     Reference was made to paragraph 3.1 of the report, relating to Financial Implications for Transition Costs and it was agreed that Cabinet be requested to consider ring fencing the Social Care Reform Grant for the Change Programme only.

          (iii)    It was noted that, in the past, some people had experienced problems in respect of direct payments.  Currently the County Council were assisting people in respect of direct payments and it was hoped that the Cheshire East Council would continue to provide this service.  It was confirmed that this would continue and was referred to in the report.

                  RESOLVED

          1     That Cabinet be requested to consider ring fencing the Social Care Reform Grant for the Change Programme in respect of the new Model of Social Care only.

          2     That a Task Group be formed to evaluate the performance of the new Model, the Panel representatives to be:

                   Councillors     Rod Fletcher

                        Dorothy Flude

                        Bill Livesley

          3    That the relevant Portfolio Holder be notified of future meeting dates for the Task Group.

          4    That the Terms of Reference be considered at the first meeting.

To consider a draft framework to guide and govern the Council’s future partnership relationship with the third sector in Cheshire East.

Report attached.

         Consideration was given to a report, which presented a draft Framework to guide and govern the Council’s future partnership relationship with the third sector in Cheshire East.

It was noted that, whilst this matter was not within the remit of the People Advisory Panel, people would be affected by the decisions made in respect of this.  Therefore, the Chairman had requested that the report be included on the agenda, for comment.

          In considering the report Members of the Panel raised the following issues:

          (i)      Reference was made to the table within the report headed “Resources - What do Councils in Cheshire East currently spend in the Third Sector?” and concern was expressed that some District/Borough figures were not included.  It was considered that the report required further refinement to bring together the various issues in respect of partnership working and in particular how Cheshire East Council would work with the LSPs.  It was also considered that the document should refer to working with statutory groups, in addition to voluntary bodies.  There should also be consistency across the titles of the various documents.

          (ii)     It was noted that, in addition to financial investment, the existing Councils provided help “in kind” by the provision of help and advice from professional officers and it was considered that reference should be made to this within the document.

          (iii)    Reference was made to a recent open night event for carers in Crewe, where compliance with existing Compact commitments had been welcomed.  It was noted that Compact funding needed to be guaranteed for voluntary organisations for three years and it was considered that reference to this should be included within the document.

          The Portfolio Holder undertook to raise these issuesthrough the Places Directorate.

To consider reports on :-

1. Cross Boundary Usage of Library Services
2. Partnership in Service Delivery
3. Fees and Charges 2009/10

These reports are presented to the Advisory Panel to enable Panel Members to be aware of forthcoming Cabinet issues and to contribute views to inform the decision making of the Cabinet.

Reports attached.

Partnership in Service Delivery

          Consideration was given to a report, which was submitted to the Panel to enable Members to contribute views to inform the decision making of the Cabinet.

          It was noted that all the Authorities forming the constituent parts of the new Cheshire East Council currently partnered in different ways, with a wide range of organisations to deliver services to their respective communities.  These could be through either a formal contract, with funds specifically allocated to a service area, or through more general grant funds, which communities could bid into.  The purpose of the report was to seek Cabinet confirmation that, at least for the coming year 2009/10, support to partner organisations would be at a level equivalent to the current 2008/09 year or at a level previously agreed with the current grant giving authority.

          In considering the report Members of the Panel requested that a cross checking exercise take place to establish where grants were paid to partners from more than one of the existing Councils.

       RESOLVED

          That Cabinet be recommended to approve the decision required, as set out in the report:

                   1     That Cheshire East Council consider and agree the level of financial support to existing external service delivery partners be maintained for 2009/10 at current levels.

   2             That it is agreed that all the partnership arrangements be subject to more detailed review in Year 1, to assess cost/outcomes of all individual agreements.

   Cross Boundary Use of Library Services

          Consideration was given to a report, which was submitted to the Panel to enable  Members to contribute views, to inform the decision making of Cabinet.

          The report advised the Panel of issues relating to cross boundary usage of library services, after April 2009 and recommended that there should be cross boundary usage of library services after April 2009 and that officers be instructed to take steps to implement this proposal.

          In considering the report Members of the Panel raised the following issues:-

          (i)      It was considered that the proposal should be supported, however, it was suggested that it might be appropriate to set up a Task Group, in the following year to consider this matter.

(ii)            It was asked whether there was a proposal to issue new separate Cheshire East and Cheshire West library cards on 1 April and officers clarified that there was no such proposal.

          (iii)    It was queried whether mobile libraries would continue on their present routes and it was hoped that this would continue, if possible.  It was reported that an Officer Task and Finish Group was considering the issue of mobile libraries and a report would be submitted to Members, if required.

          (iv)    It was noted that other users of the library service included schools, the Older People and those with mental health problems and this was not referred to in the report.

          (v)     It was suggested that consideration be given to the introduction of the national library card.

          RESOLVED

          That Cabinet be recommended to agree that there should be cross boundary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To note the response to the consultation on the National Dementia Strategy.

Copy of response attached.

Consideration was given to the response to the consultation on the National Dementia Strategy.

             RESOLVED

          That the response be noted.

To receive a verbal presentation.

         A paper was circulated at the meeting, which proposed a set of principles to guide the creation of the new organisational design for the two new Unitary Authorities.  John Weeks reported that he would be meeting with the new Cheshire East Chief Executive, Erika Wenzel, to discuss ways of bringing forward the structural proposals to Members, in due course, including the Panel.

              It was agreed that an item in respect of this matter be included on the agenda

            for the next meeting of the Panel.

To note the dates for future meetings.

27 October 2008

8 December 2008

19 January 2009

2 March 2009

April – To be confirmed

Future meeting dates were noted as follows:-.

27 October 2008

8 December 2008

19 January 2009

2 March 2009

April – To be confirmed