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Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Colm Ó Caomhánaigh, Tel 07393 001096  Email: colm.ocaomhanaigh@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

46/18

Apologies for Absence and Temporary Appointments

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Emily Smith (Councillor John Howson substituting).

 

47/18

Declarations of Interest - Guidance note on back page of the agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

48/18

Minutes pdf icon PDF 169 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2018 and to receive information arising from them.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting on 5 July 2018 were approved and signed as a correct record.

49/18

Implementing A New Operating Model For Oxfordshire County Council pdf icon PDF 147 KB

10.05

 

The Performance Scrutiny Committee was updated in March 2018 on the progress of the Council’s Fit for the Future Transformation programme and was introduced to the development of a new Operating Model for the Council as a whole.

 

The Operating Model is a detailed description of how the Council will work in the future, with the key aims of putting better outcomes for residents and the delivery of the Thriving Communities Vision at the centre of all plans and operations.

 

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

 

a)                     Note the contents of this report and its attachments;

 

b)                     Comment on any issues relating to the operating model and its impact on the Council’s current and future performance;

 

c)                     Comment on the ongoing role of the Committee in engaging with the delivery of the Operating Model, if agreed.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Peter Clark introduced the report.  The proposed operating model describes how the Council will reorganise to work more efficiently and enhance services.  It complies fully with the priorities in the Corporate Plan.  Officers worked with PwC in developing this model.

 

Members raised various issues and the following are the responses from officers and Ben Pykett of PwC:

 

·         ‘Plan B’ would be the Council reverting to making cuts in services or agreeing some hybrid of these proposals and cuts.

·         Members of the public will see improvements in the provision of information online and through facilities such as ‘chat boxes’ so that they will have less need to make direct contact to find information.  Many such systems are tried and tested elsewhere.

·         Members and the public will be consulted at the design phase because it is essential that the systems work for them.  Staff training will be another critical element.

·         It is expected that there will be a Members’ committee/reference group overseeing the process to give them ownership.

·         Recruitment is an example of an area that takes up too much time for managers and could be handled more efficiently.

·         Staff have seen big changes over the last 3 to 5 years and there is a risk of this plan being seen as more of the same.  However there has been widespread staff consultation on this programme including staff conferences, workshops and activity analyses.  Staff see the sense in reducing bureaucracy and freeing time for direct provision of services.

·         If you design a system that is 90% digital it frees up time to deal with the other 10%.  The implementation plan will include how to identify and respond to those who don’t want to or can’t access services online.

·         The Council’s collection of data from residents is at multiple points at the moment and a lot more could be achieved by using common systems.

·         Reorganisation can change the way people think.  The changes already made in senior management have encouraged people to think across the organisation and not in their own departments.

·         Officers are confident that the lower range of savings can be made and then it depends on how far the Council wants to go to achieve the higher level of savings.  The reduction in staff numbers is predicted to be between 650 and 900.  Around 650 leave each year anyway.  The Council has a strong record on redeployment.  Any redundancy costs would be one-off whereas savings will be recurring.

·         If the Council makes good use of business intelligence then it will help transformation and service improvement.

 

Members were agreed that the operating model should be accepted and the Chairman concluded by asking for more engagement with Members who are good collectors of business intelligence for the Council.  Members will have more confidence in the programme if they are more engaged in it.

 

 

50/18

Police and Crime Commissioner pdf icon PDF 216 KB

11.10

 

Anthony Stansfeld, Police & Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, will present his Annual Report 2017-18 to the committee for discussion.

As Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mr Stansfeld’s actions, decisions and performance are scrutinised by the Police and Crime Panel for the Thames Valley. Councillor Kieron Mallon is Oxfordshire Country Council’s representative on the Panel. Given the PCC’s work in Oxfordshire, including the allocation of funds to certain initiatives supported by the council, Mr Stansfeld also attends the council’s Performance Scrutiny Committee when invited.

 

The Committee is recommended to consider the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report and to put any relevant questions to the PCC.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld was unable to attend the meeting due to serious traffic congestion.  His presentation had been circulated with the agenda.  It was agreed to take Agenda Items 7 and 8 together.  Chief Constable Francis Habgood made a presentation and responded as follows to questions on both items:

 

·         Although the crime rate last year increased, numbers are still relatively low and the overall trend is down.  Changes to reporting rules account for some increases.

·         It is noticeable that the increase in knife crime appears to mirror the reduction in the number of ‘stop and search’es.

·         There are definitely capacity issues with the 101 service.  It was originally meant to be cross-agency.  People are being encouraged to report suspicions which has increased demand for the service.  Reporting online works better for a lot of people.

·         Decriminalising parking offences would reduce pressure on police and much of that could be handled online.

·         The biggest increases are in violent crime.  Some of it can be attributed to now having to record harassment and assault separately even if arising from the same incident.

·         Most engagements with schools are not logged as the police are reluctant to become involved when it can be better for the school to deal with the matter.

·         While the number of S136 Mental Health Detentions is down there is still an issue finding beds as required by new legislation.

·         The protocol on unauthorised encampments is helpful but police cannot use Section 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act as there are no transit sites available.

·         The police have expressed their concern at the closure of Banbury Magistrates’ Court.  This leaves only one in the county and the concerns surround both capacity and travel.

·         Neighbourhood teams will get the necessary IT by the end of the year and an increase in the number of 4x4s with aging vehicles being replaced when appropriate.

·         The statistics in the Chief Constable’s presentation all relate specifically to Oxfordshire.  The share of the Community Safety Fund for Oxfordshire has not changed.

·         In cases of domestic abuse, it is not always in the public interest to press charges.  If the risk has been appropriately managed then that is a positive outcome.  Some pilot schemes have indicated that restorative justice can be effective.

 

The Chairman thanked the Chief Constable for taking both items and hoped that more time could be given to discussing the reports and presentations next year.

 

51/18

Thames Valley Police Delivery Plan 2018-19 pdf icon PDF 3 MB

11.40

 

The Chief Constable will attend to discuss the Thames Valley Police’s Delivery Plan for 2018-19, which reflects the strategic policing objectives in the Police and Crime Plan.

Minutes:

Taken with Agenda Item 7.

 

52/18

Business Management and Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2018-19 pdf icon PDF 409 KB

10.50

 

This paper provides details of performance for quarter one 2018-19 for Performance Scrutiny Committee to consider before making comments to Cabinet by 19 September. The report, and any comments made by the Committee, are required so that the Cabinet can monitor the performance of the council in key service areas and be assured that progress is being made to improve areas where performance is below the expected level.

 

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to note the report.

 

Minutes:

Ian Dyson and Steven Jones responded to Members’ questions as follows:

 

·         There have been delays in settling compensation claims relating to pot holes due to the volume of claims this year following the harsher winter.  The target time period is 12 weeks.  Officers will circulate data on the number of claims, size of payments and comparisons to previous years.

·         The number of Looked After Children (LACs) has increased but is within expectations.  It has brought Oxfordshire into line with the national average.  There have been improvements in practice and management oversight for LACs.

·         The figures for school reserves in Local Authority schools will be circulated to Members after the meeting.

·         Officers will consider how young carers could be brought into the measurements.

·         The Grant Thornton report that includes their “Vibrant Economy Index” will be circulated to Members so that they can see the rationale for the index and perhaps understand why Cherwell and West Oxfordshire District Councils have a lower rank than other Oxon councils.

·         Although the number of home care hours purchased is slightly off target the outlook is positive.

·         The one indicator that shows a negative outlook relates to LACs.  It was noted though that the indicator could be said to confuse performance with demand.

53/18

Community Safety Services Annual Report 2017-18 pdf icon PDF 2 MB

12.10

 

Community Safety Services Annual Report 2017-18 is produced for the County Council, Councillors and members of the public to provide them with a review of the Service's performance over the last financial year.  Community Safety Services set realistic but challenging performance measures every year, aligned to their 365alive vision. 

 

The Committee is recommended to approve the report.

 

Minutes:

Simon Furlong introduced the report.  The period of the report included the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell fire both of which impacted on the service’s resources.  When the inspectorate visits shortly they will ask what the Chief Fire Officer is most proud of and his answer will be his staff who support, advise, sometimes enforce but most of all are there when needed.

 

Members raised points on the report and Simon Furlong responded as follows:

 

·         “Key” stations are all the full-time stations and a plan has been devised to ensure basic cover when individual vehicles are unavailable.

·         The service is engaged with the property team working on a strategy which should be completed in October.

·         The service is involved in many council and community activities including adult services, smoking and alcohol campaigns, highways and the coroner.  There may be a risk related to the coming inspection which will focus only on the core fire service activities.

·         The Berkshire fire service responds to many incidents in South Oxfordshire which explains why Response Standards in South Oxfordshire are so high despite a lower On Call Availability.

·         The memorandum of understanding on unauthorised encampments is very welcome.  It has been difficult to get court time this year so the closure of Banbury Magistrates’ Court is of concern.  Transit sites – currently the subject of a government consultation – may not be the answer for Oxfordshire as they would not be big enough to deal with the incidents here.

·         The service tries to educate HGV drivers on weight restrictions but will prosecute in cases of more than three incidents.  This takes a lot of time and it would be helpful if local communities could help with this work.

 

54/18

Recommendations of the Young Carers deep dive pdf icon PDF 391 KB

12.40

 

In 2016 the Health Inequalities Commission was sponsored by Oxfordshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board to review the current state of health inequalities in the county and make recommendations for their reduction. In its report the Commission emphasised the significant impact that older carers have on the lives of those they care for and the positive contribution they make to the economy, but also how, all too often, they do not get the practical and emotional support they need. It acknowledged the importance of providing older carers with the very best support to help them in their caring role, but did not make the same reference to young carers or highlight the inequalities they face.

 

Whilst reviewing the Council’s progress on implementing the Commission’s recommendations the Performance Scrutiny Committee raised concerns about this. In response, a deep dive group was established to uncover the many hidden issues faced by young carers, and understand how they are identified and supported across Oxfordshire.

 

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

 

a)            Ask the Cabinet to explore ways of funding the unique support to young carers provided by Be Free Young Carers.

b)           Support the development of good quality, evidence-based targeted group therapeutic work for young carers within the Young Carers Service.

c)            Review the impact of moving the Young Carers Service into the Family Solutions Service in 12 months’ time.

d)           Ask the Cabinet to review and improve the timescales for completing statutory young carers’ assessments and delivering support.

e)            There are examples of good in identifying and supporting young carers practice in some schools, e.g. opportunities for young carers to complete homework on school premises. This good practice needs to be recognised, captured and shared.

f)             Invite the Regional Schools Commissioner to make it a requirement for schools to their staff to identify where a child may be undertaking a caring role, the impact of that responsibility, and to understand what support is available to minimise the impact.

g)           Ask the Education Scrutiny Committee to review the measures used by Ofsted to assess the standard of support delivered to young carers as vulnerable learners, and to scrutinise the effectiveness of this regulatory oversight.

h)           Ask the Education Scrutiny Committee the scrutinise the range, quality and impact of pastoral care across Oxfordshire schools and colleges, particularly in relation to young carers.

i)             Ask the Education Scrutiny Committee working group focused on rates of school attendance to give specific attention to young carers, as a cohort at particular risk.

j)             Ensure Oxfordshire’s health and social care system specifically considers the impact of its drive to deliver more community-based care on young carers and ask the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review this as part of its scrutiny of transformational change across the system.

k)            Ask the Council to establish a Young Carers Councillor Champion to help people understand the needs of young carers and promote the identification and support of young carers.

l)             Review progress against these recommendations in 12 months’  ...  view the full agenda text for item 54/18

Minutes:

Councillor Nick Carter introduced the report and thanked Katie Read, Senior Policy Officer, for her work in bringing it together.

 

The Chairman put the report’s recommendations individually to the Committee:

 

Recommendations a) to e): agreed.

 

Recommendation f): it was agreed to write to the Schools’ Forum and the Governors’ Forum instead of the Regional Schools Commissioner

 

Recommendations g) to l): agreed

 

Councillor Glynis Phillips stated that the group never got to talk to young carers themselves but that they are committed to doing that.

 

RESOLVED: to

 

a)            Ask the Cabinet to explore ways of funding the unique support to young carers provided by Be Free Young Carers.

b)           Support the development of good quality, evidence-based targeted group therapeutic work for young carers within the Young Carers Service.

c)            Review the impact of moving the Young Carers Service into the Family Solutions Service in 12 months’ time.

d)           Ask the Cabinet to review and improve the timescales for completing statutory young carers’ assessments and delivering support.

e)            There are examples of good in identifying and supporting young carers practice in some schools, e.g. opportunities for young carers to complete homework on school premises. This good practice needs to be recognised, captured and shared.

f)             Invite the Schools’ Forum and Governors’ Forum to make it a requirement for schools to their staff to identify where a child may be undertaking a caring role, the impact of that responsibility, and to understand what support is available to minimise the impact.

g)           Ask the Education Scrutiny Committee to review the measures used by Ofsted to assess the standard of support delivered to young carers as vulnerable learners, and to scrutinise the effectiveness of this regulatory oversight.

h)           Ask the Education Scrutiny Committee the scrutinise the range, quality and impact of pastoral care across Oxfordshire schools and colleges, particularly in relation to young carers.

i)             Ask the Education Scrutiny Committee working group focused on rates of school attendance to give specific attention to young carers, as a cohort at particular risk.

j)             Ensure Oxfordshire’s health and social care system specifically considers the impact of its drive to deliver more community-based care on young carers and ask the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review this as part of its scrutiny of transformational change across the system.

k)            Ask the Council to establish a Young Carers Councillor Champion to help people understand the needs of young carers and promote the identification and support of young carers.

l)             Review progress against these recommendations in 12 months’ time.

 

 

 

 

55/18

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 240 KB

13.00

 

To agree the Committee’s work programme for future meetings based on key priorities and discussion in the meeting.

 

Minutes:

The following was agreed:

·         move the item on Adult Social Care Contributions Policy from the January meeting to March 2019.

·         remove the item Impact of Carillion liquidation as the Audit & Governance Committee is monitoring that.

·         add a follow-up item on Recycling to the March 2019 meeting.

·         add a follow-up item on Young Carers for next year.

 

56/18

For information: Cabinet Response to Recycling Deep Dive pdf icon PDF 92 KB

On 17 July 2018 the findings and recommendations from the Performance Scrutiny Committee deep dive into Household Recycling rates were considered by Cabinet. It was agreed that the Director for Planning and Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, would prepare a response for this meeting of the Performance Scrutiny Committee.

 

57/18

For information: Highways Deep Dive - Draft scope pdf icon PDF 164 KB

At its meeting on 5 July 2018 the Committee agreed to conduct a ‘deep dive’ into the issue of Highways Customer Satisfaction.  This document outlines a scope for the deep dive.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Jenny Hannaby invited Members to email her with any thoughts on this issue.