Councillors: JG Jarvis, FM Norman, RJ Phillips, P Rone

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2014.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the approach to developing Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) and a proposed recommendation to Council on 26 September 2014 that the current Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) be extended until after the council’s Core Strategy is adopted, or to 31 March 2016, whichever is the earlier.

Cabinet received a report proposing the approach to developing Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) and also seeking to recommend to council that the Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) be extended until after the council’s Core Strategy is adopted, or to 31 March 2016, whichever is the earlier.

The Head of Transport and Access Services confirmed that by extending the LTP3 the council meets its statutory requirements whilst avoiding the premature adoption of LTP4 ahead of adoption of the Core Strategy. The LTP4 will continue to be developed ready for adoption after the Core Strategy is adopted.

The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure confirmed the timetable for the new Core Strategy. This indicates it should be in place by late 2015 but this depends on the length of time taken by each stage of the adoption process.

In reply to councillors enquiries The Head of Transport and Access Services confirmed an annual progress report will continue to be made for LTP3 during the extension period.

Resolved:

(b)          The process to enable adoption of the LTP4, including consultation, as set out in this report, is approved.

To note the outcome of the Ofsted inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers, which was conducted between 29 April and 21 May 2014.

To consider the council’s response to the areas for improvement identified.

The Head of Safeguarding and Review Children presented Cabinet with the outcome of the Ofsted Inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers, which was conducted between 29 April 2014 and 21 May 2014. Cabinet were asked to note the outcome of the inspection and consider the council’s response to the areas for improvement identified. The inspection judged the councils services to be ‘Requires Improvement’.

In order to clarify the ongoing progress since the 30 June 2014 (the date of the report) it was confirmed that consultation had been undertaken to create an action plan for each of the 28 areas for improvement listed in the report. A number of the areas for improvement relate to strategic recommendations.

Each area of improvement has been allocated to a lead officer with a progress plan for monitoring and evaluation. It was confirmed that action has already been taken and the department had not been waiting for sign off before making progress.

The objective for the Council and its partners is that good safeguarding services will be being delivered by 2016/17.

The council currently remains in Government intervention. In December 2014 a Department of Education review will take place and will make recommendations to Ministers as to if this should remain the case based on the progress made at this time.

In reply to a members query concerning corporate parenting the Cabinet Member for Young People and Children’s Wellbeing advised, in August 2014, he produced a paper for group leaders to assist them with more effective corporate parenting and safeguarding, a seminar on corporate parenting for all members is taking place next week. He confirmed that, following the elections in May 2015, all councillors will have to undertake compulsory training in corporate parenting and safeguarding within one month of the election. Refresher training will then take place every year.

The Cabinet Member for Young People and Children’s Wellbeing also wished to bring to the attention of members the Children’s Pledge which is going to be signed at Full Council on 26 September 2014.

Concern was raised by members about children who go missing and how agencies work together to deal with this issue.

The Head of Safeguarding and Review Children advised Police take the lead in this area however the strategic board, of which he is head, make sure all agencies respond. The council is also part of the West Mercia Strategic Alliance, as missing children is a problem that crosses county boarders. It was confirmed work with partners is vital as there is a link between missing children and those at risk of sexual exploitation.

With regard to the inspections of partners, the Director for Children’s Wellbeing confirmed they are not inspected at the same time as the council but are subject to their own inspections. Currently, in different parts of the country, a new programme of multi-agency inspections is being piloted.

The Director of Children’s Wellbeing went on to advise members that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

In reply to a question from members The Chairman advised a statement concerning Hereford United Football Club will be made in the near future.