Apologies were received from Councillor P Rone.

None.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 21 July 2016.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

This report provides an update on the One Herefordshire programme and the Herefordshire and Worcestershire sustainability and transformation plan (STP) submission and seeks the support of Cabinet for the strategic direction to be followed.

Cabinet received an updated report on the One Herefordshire programme and the Herefordshire and Worcestershire sustainability and transformation plan (STP) submission.  The following areas were highlighted:

·         The One Herefordshire programme provided a framework for whole system leadership and collaboration which would enable system wide strategic direction and delivery mechanism to deliver the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Children and Young People’s Plan. It would enable the council to engage with wider public sector partners in a co-ordinated manner to increase efficiency and value for money.

·         Exploring joint commissioning arrangements with the CCG represented an opportunity to improve the efficiency and impact of the council’s commissioning function alongside that of the NHS, to provider better value for money.

·         The STP process was intended to provide the central vehicle through which local government and the NHS can work together in order to achieve the ‘triple aim’ of improving the health and wellbeing of the local population, improving the quality and safety of care delivery and securing ongoing financial sustainability.  It was expected that the STP process would be merged with the requirement for all areas in the country to produce a plan for the full integration of health and social care by 2020.

In reply to questions from a Group Leader, the director of adult’s wellbeing said:

·         That the recommendation before cabinet was for the chief executive to lead the initiative because it had implications not only for adults, but also for children’s wellbeing.

·         That the intention was to put pressure on the NHS to recognise the value of the triple aim philosophy of improving local health and wellbeing; the quality and safety of care delivery and securing ongoing financial sustainability. Local government was the greater contributor in this area than the NHS, as it was responsible for areas such as housing and green spaces.

·         That the phased three year process would allow for a gradual implementation and help ensure that there was a change in attitudes presently embedded in the cultures of the organisations involved.

Resolved:

That:

(a)       the strategic direction of the One Herefordshire programme and of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire STP both be supported;

(b)       the chief executive be tasked with exploring joint commissioning arrangements with Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), as outlined at paragraphs 14-18 and bringing back proposals for decision;

(c)       the chief executive be authorised to enter into such non legally binding agreements on behalf of the council as may be appropriate to support the development of the One Herefordshire partnership, including potentially forming a shadow strategic alliance between the council, Herefordshire CCG, Wye Valley NHS Trust, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust and Taurus Healthcare, with links to the voluntary and community sector (VCS), and to provide updates on progress as part of future corporate performance reports.

To approve Herefordshire Council’s application to become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

A report to approve Herefordshire Council’s application to become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) was received.

The leader said that the intention would be to sign up as a non-constituent member, and receive an updated report from the chief executive in the New Year which would lay out the council’s experience to date of being a member of the WMCA.  This would provide a basis for a decision for a way forward.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were made:

·         That, as a non-constituent member Herefordshire would retain all its current powers and responsibilities but would gain a voice in the development of policies and projects affecting the economy of the West Midlands region.

·         That non-constituent members were not affected by the existence of a mayor, but that a future report would address this issue as it affected constituent members.

Resolved:

That:

a)         Herefordshire Council applies to become a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) at an annual cost of £25k;

b)        the leader of the council, or his nominated substitute, be authorised to represent the council at the WMCA board, and exercise the council’s vote as a non-constituent member; and;

c)         the general overview and scrutiny committee be invited to consider building into their future work programme an appraisal of further devolution options (to include the potential for the council to become a constituent member of WMCA) and report the outcome of their review to inform any future decision of Cabinet.

To approve joining the National Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Transfer Scheme and accept the statutory responsibility for a number equivalent of up to 0.07% of the child population within the county.

Cabinet received a report to approve joining the National Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Transfer Scheme and accept the statutory responsibility for a number equivalent of up to 0.07% of the child population within the county.

The head of looked after children highlighted the following areas:

·         The UASC scheme was a fair, equitable and transparent system for caring for children across the UK; the scheme was voluntary and locally led.

·         The transfer scheme offered the council an opportunity to demonstrate compassion for young people who had experienced conflict and trauma both within their home countries and during their journey to the UK.

·         Of those seeking asylum, 62% were aged 16 or 17 and a minority were female. Almost all children aged under 16 were fostered with half of those aged 16 to 17 being placed in foster care and half being placed in semi-supported accommodation. UASC’s who were given leave to remain within the UK were entitled to the same care and support as any other care leavers.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were made:

·         That there were a variety of levels of language skills amongst the UASC’s.  Those who were already here were doing well, but interpreters were provided for formal meetings involving their legal status in this country.

·         That the council would make use of regional expertise from Solihull Council in dealing with UASC’s.

·         That all 16 and 17 year olds in care would be entitled to the same care leaver support that other looked after children were, but that they would have to seek leave to remain in the country once they turned 18.

Resolved:

That:

(a)         the principle that the council would offer sufficient placements so that the number of UASC accommodated in its looked after system was equivalent to 0.07% of our child population be accepted; and

(b)         the director for children’s wellbeing be requested to, working with partner councils as appropriate, continue to make the case to government for sufficient funding to adequately resource these additional pressures and provide a further report on the outcome of those negotiations.

To receive the annual update of Understanding Herefordshire including the JSNA, and to consider the implications of key findings for the determination of future policy and decision-making.

Cabinet received the annual update of Understanding Herefordshire including the JSNA.

The cabinet member reported that the document was the responsibility of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and that the board had agreed a robust management arrangement in order to ensure that the intelligence was used to the fullest extent.

In reply to a member, the director of adult’s wellbeing said that the statement in the presentation that migration was the sole driver of population referred to population growth, rather than any change in the population structure.

He went on to say that the statement that Bromyard had fallen into the bottom deprivation quartile represented a reflection that other areas were becoming less deprived more quickly rather than an absolute decline for Bromyard.

Resolved:

That:

(a)  the 2016 Understanding Herefordshire JSNA 2016 summary report be noted; 

(b)  having regard to the key issues identified for Herefordshire, and any specific priorities cabinet wish to highlight, the directors for adults and wellbeing, children’s wellbeing and economy, communities and corporate be requested to ensure that, as they review current policies and strategies and develop new policies and strategies, ensure that these have full regard to identifying the most effective ways to assist in addressing the challenges identified within Understanding Herefordshire; and;

(c)  the evidence base provided by Understanding Herefordshire continue to be used to inform future decision-making.

To inform cabinet of the revised presentation of the capital outturn figures for 2015/16 following the identification of errors in one table within the report to cabinet on 16 June 2016.

A report to inform cabinet of the revised presentation of the capital outturn figures for 2015/16 following the identification of errors in one table within the report to cabinet on 16 June was noted.

The head of corporate finance reported that the 2015/16 capital outturn reported to cabinet on 16 June had contained correct data relating to capital spend in 2015/16 but that the second table in appendix B to the report showing spend per capital scheme contained twenty three inaccuracies.  This error had not affected the total capital spend reported, the funding of that investment or the 2016/17 capital budgets presented on 21 June. This error did not impact on the treasury management outturn approved by Council on 15 July, and no decisions had been founded on the inaccurate data in the table.

The error arose from moving source data into the 2015/16 outturn compared to 2015/16 budget table included in appendix B, rather than from any inaccuracy in the source data itself. The table was intended to provide greater clarity on where capital investment in 2015/16 was allocated by capital scheme. Action had been taken to strengthen the quality assurance of data tables produced for reports to minimise the potential for such human error in the future.

Resolved: That the revised table (at paragraph 7) summarising capital spend against budget in 2015/16 be noted.