Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs A Jenner, H Hulme, B Breeze, Lynette Lovell (Director of Education and Children), Jane Thomas (Head of Finance/Section 151 Officer), Charlie Darwin (Senior Manager Corporate Parenting).

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

There were no Declarations of Interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.

To receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

(NB:  Members are reminded that, under Section 78, Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before the Committee.)

The Committee did not receive any disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member had been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

(i)            To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 1^st December 2023 as a correct record.

(ii)          To review the actions log.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 1^st December 2023 were agreed by Committee members present, as a true and accurate reflection of the meeting and ratified accordingly by the Chair. 

Update on Actions from previous meetings as follows:

WCCIS replacement – Work was continuing with the national team and with Welsh Government for a replacement for WCCIS, progress will be shared at April’s committee meeting.

Cyber issues – for clarification the Councils does not have any operating systems that are as old as Windows 7 or 8. There were however a limited number of operating systems which were due for decommissioning, that have recently gone out of active support.

All other action items were scheduled within the forward work programme.

To receive an update from the Chair of the Joint Scrutiny Working Group - Leisure Review.

The Committee received a brief  overview of the report from Cllr G E Jones, Chair of the Joint Scrutiny Leisure Review Working Group.

Cabinet Member, Cllr David Selby commented that the scrutiny process had been very positive, with much learning undertaken and acceptance of the comment that more information had been required, which would be provided moving forward under the Sustainable Powys programme.

In response to the question on the whether wider impacts had been considered during the process, the Chair informed that the process had been light touch, but focussed on where provision was without input from social care professionals regarding the social and well-being impact.

To receive and consider the Corporate Safeguarding Board Activity Report.

 Background:

·         The Corporate Safeguarding Board review progress of actions on the Safeguarding Regulatory Tracker, all actions were either completed or in progress.

·         Highlighted within the Regional Safeguarding Annual Report was Powys CC’s work on Child Exploitation, the strategy for which has been rolled out across other regions.

·         The National Safeguarding Week held in November was considered very successful.

·         The Boards focus in December was on Child Performance Licencing and Child Work permits, this included a spotlight on safeguarding to raise awareness, and further awareness raising scheduled for the Royal Welsh Show.

·         There has been an increase in the number of 16-17yr olds in need of interim accommodation due to homelessness. The Board has requested data of Powys Care Experienced young people will be included in future reports to retain a focus.

·         There has been a significant improvement (72%) in contact with Elective Home Educated (EHE) children and families.

·         Powys will be participating in a pilot on Children Missing Education.

·         In relation to Safeguarding Compliance, concern was raised of School staff compliance with VAWDASV level 1 with training, the Board were informed of ongoing work to improve the position, with a steering group established and Level 3 trained staff to support across the schools service.

·         For noting the JICPA (Joint Investigation on Child Protection Arrangements) was completed in October 2023, the report has been received and will be on the Safeguard Boards agenda for the March meeting.

To receive and consider Powys CC’s response to Llais following receipt of the engagement reports from the Builth & Llanwrtyd and the Ystradgynlais localities.

To note the scrutiny forward work programme.

·    The forward work programme was noted by Members present.

RESOLVE to exclude the public for the following items of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under categories 1, 2 & 3 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).  

The Monitoring Officer has determined that categories 1, 2 & 3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules apply to the following items. His view on the public interest test (having taken account of the provisions of Rule 14.8 of the Council's Access to Information Rules) was that to make this information public would disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).    

These factors in his view outweigh the public interest in disclosing this information. Members are asked to consider these factors when determining the public interest test, which they must decide when considering excluding the public from this part of the meeting.

RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following items of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 1,2 & 3 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).

The Monitoring Officer has determined that category 1,2 & 3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules applies to the following item. His view on the public interest test (having taken account of the provisions of Rule 14.8 of the Council's Access to Information Rules) was that to make this information public would disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

These factors in his view outweigh the public interest in disclosing this information. Members are asked to consider these factors when determining the public interest test, which they must decide when considering excluding the public from this part of the meeting.

Proposed by Cllr Liz and seconded by Cllr Chris with all Committee Members in agreement.

To receive and consider a presentation on the Transition between Children’s Services and Adult Social Care.

The Committee received a presentation on the Transition between Children’s and Adults Services from Rachel Williams, Senior Manager Mental Health and Disabilities and Gavin Williams, Senior Manager Care and Support.

To receive and consider the report and business case for the Not for Profit Fostering Framework.

The Committee received a presentation on the Not-for-Profit Fostering Framework and Business Case from Sharon Powell, Head of Children’s Services and Jo Harris, Senior Strategic Commissioning Manager Children’s Services.