Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        Any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        Any prejudicial interests or

·        Any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Cabinet Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests she may have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 13 December 2012.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 13 December 2012 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 4 February 2013 at 5.00pm.

Members of the public may speak on an item on the agenda or an issue within the Cabinet Member’s remit.

It was reported that there were no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report details the current fees and allowances scheme for foster carers and proposes the implementation of an accreditation scheme for foster carers with a professional development pathway and associated remuneration.

RESOLVED:       That Option 2 in the report – the implementation of a new accreditation scheme with corresponding grading for foster carer’s skill, knowledge and experience be approved with effect from April 2013.

REASON:           The implementation of an accreditation scheme for foster carers will enhance their place in the Children’s Social Care Workforce and provide a platform for recruitment of new foster carers with a clear professional development pathway and associated remuneration.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that detailed the current fees and allowances scheme for foster carers and which proposed the implementation of an accreditation scheme for foster carers with a professional development pathway and associated remuneration.

The Cabinet Member considered the following options:

Option 1:    To continue the existing remuneration arrangements. 

Option 2:    To implement a new accredited scheme with corresponding grading for foster carers’ skill, knowledge and experience with effect from April 2013.  The remuneration arrangements for allowances and fees would enable a rationalisation under a single scheme.

The Cabinet Member noted that the proposed new scheme would ensure that there was a clearer set of expectations for foster carers as well as offering a professional development pathway with accredited training and a revised remuneration framework.

The Cabinet Member asked about the consultation that had taken place.  Officers gave details of the work that had been carried out and expressed their appreciation of the contribution made by the Chair of the Foster Carers Association.

Officers were asked about the financial implications, particularly if a significant number of carers progressed to become advanced foster carers.  They stated that indicative figures had been drawn up and that factors such as the likelihood that there would be travel in both directions had been taken into account.  The situation would, however, be closely monitored.   Officers also gave details of the arrangements that would be in place in respect of advanced carers with two or more placements.

RESOLVED:       That Option 2 in the report – the implementation of a new accreditation scheme with corresponding grading for foster carers’ skill, knowledge and experience be approved with effect from April 2013.

REASON:            The implementation of an accreditation scheme for foster carers will enhance their place in the Children’s Social Care Workforce and provide a platform for recruitment of new foster carers with a clear professional development pathway and associated remuneration.

This report:

·        Informs the Cabinet Member of recent progress on major schemes within the Education, Children and Young People’s Capital Programme

·        Informs the Cabinet Member of new schemes proposed for 2013/14 and 2014/15, and of revisions to the programme.

The report asks the Cabinet Member to consider the schemes to be developed from within the available resources of the approved capital programme and to recommend to Cabinet the funding of the Capital programme.

RESOLVED:       (a)     That the proposed schemes to be

developed from within the available resources of the approved capital programme, as detailed in the report, be approved.

                             (b)     That the revised schemes and funding of

the capital programme, as detailed in Annex A of the report, be recommended to Cabinet for approval to enable the effective management and monitoring of the capital programme.

REASON:           To ensure the efficient management and delivery of the Education, Children and Young People’s Capital Programme.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that detailed recent progress on major schemes within the Education, Children and Young People’s Capital Programme and which informed her of new schemes proposed for 2013/14 and 2014/15, and of revisions to the programme.

The Cabinet Member was pleased to note that good progress was being made on current projects, including the scheme to increase capacity at Knavesmire Primary School.  The Cabinet Member’s attention was also drawn to work undertaken as part of the maintenance programme, including new boilers and roof repairs at a number of schools.

The Cabinet Member gave consideration to proposed schemes for 2013/14, as detailed in the report.  Progress with these schemes would be subject to funding being available from the Department for Education (DfE)  at similar levels to 2012/13 but an announcement from the DFE was still awaited.

Officers stated that it was intended to prepare a report on outstanding schemes for which funding had not been identified.  The Local Authority was also consulting with other councils to ensure that it was doing everything possible to access funding that was available. 

RESOLVED:       (a)     That the proposed schemes to be

developed from within the available resources of the approved capital programme, as detailed in the report, be approved.

                             (b)     That the revised schemes and funding of

the capital programme, as detailed in Annex A of the report, be recommended to Cabinet for approval to enable the effective management and monitoring of the capital programme.

REASON:            To ensure the efficient management and delivery of the Education, Children and Young People’s Capital Programme.