Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests;

·        any prejudicial interests;

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

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

The Executive Member confirmed that he had no personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, nor any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests, to declare in the business on the agenda.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 19 February 2019.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 19 February 2019 be approved and signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday, 18 March 2019.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast ,or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report provides an update on the Placement Review, which is focused on the sufficiency of placements for Children in Care, and seeks approval for a new training, support and remuneration offer for Foster Carers.

Resolved:  That Option 3 be approved and the new training, support and remuneration offer for Foster Carers, taking into consideration the Foster Carer consultation feedback at Annex B, be implemented.

Reason:     In order to deliver the outcomes of the Placement Review and help to ensure that Foster Carers feel valued and have a sense of ownership of the new offer.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided an update on the Placement Review, and sought approval for a new training, support and remuneration offer for Foster Carers.

The Principal Officer gave an update and confirmed work had been ongoing to develop the support, training and remuneration offer for Foster Carers across York. The Executive Member noted that the aim of the Placement Review was to develop options that better met current and future placement needs, offered value for money and improved outcomes for children in care. 

In answer to the Executive Member’s questions, the Group Manager confirmed that:

·        The offer was robust and competitive and included a good remuneration and support package that should enhance our ability to recruit and retain foster carers.

·        A number of different consultation approaches were used to ensure a diverse range of feedback was obtained from Foster Carers.

Options available to the Executive Member were as follows:

Option 1 – do nothing.  This would not deliver the review outcomes.

Option 2 – implement the new offer at Annex A with no changes.  This would deliver the outcomes but not give due weight to Foster Carers’ views.

Option 3 – implement the new offer, taking into consideration Foster Carer feedback.  This was the recommended option.

Resolved:  That Option 3 be approved and the new training, support and remuneration offer for Foster Carers, taking into consideration the Foster Carer consultation feedback at Annex B, be implemented.

Reason:     In order to deliver the outcomes of the Placement Review and help to ensure that Foster Carers feel valued and have a sense of ownership of the new offer.