To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Board.

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Conservative Group, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillors Thomas (D) and Tyerman in place of Councillors Bent and Barnby, respectively.

Apologies for absence were received from the Elected Mayor and all of his Executive Members except the Deputy Mayor who attended to represent the Elected Mayor and his Executive.

To consider appointing a Vice-chairman of the Board for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

Consideration of this item was deferred until to the next meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Board held on 29 November and 13 December 2017.

The minutes of the meetings of the Board held on 29 November and 13 December 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Director of Adult Services and Housing to present the draft Strategic Agreement between the Council, the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and the South Devon and Torbay CCG.

The Mayor and Executive Lead for Adult Services to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to make any comments and/or recommendations as part of the consultation process.

The Director of Adult Services and Housing outlined the draft Annual Strategic Agreement that set out the way in which Torbay Council and South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group commission services from Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (the integrated care organisation).

The Director highlighted that there was an ongoing consultation in relation to the Eligibility Criteria for adult social care, the Carers’ Service was currently being redesigned and an improvement plan in relation to Learning Disability Services would be considered at a future meeting of the Policy Development and Decision Group.  There were also stronger references to mental health services within in the Agreement than in previous years.

The Board went on to hear about development of the Accountable Care System across Devon.  This collaborative approach was likely to lead to a Local Care Partnership for Torbay and South Devon.  It was noted that an update on this work, and that of the wider Sustainability and Transformation Programme, would be considered at a future meeting of the Board.

The Head of Finance to present the budget monitoring report for Quarter 3 of the 2017/2018 financial year.

The Mayor and his Executive to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to make any comments and/or recommendations to the Mayor or the Council.

The Head of Finance presented the Budget Monitoring Report for Quarter 3 of the 2017/2018 financial year.

The Board questioned the reported overspend in the Corporate Services and Operations budget and it was noted that in some cases this was a result of income targets not being achieved.  It was agreed that the terminology should be amended for future reports to provide a clearer understanding of the issues.

The Board also considered the write-offs over £5000 for Quarter 3.

Resolved:  that the Chief Executive be asked to consider establishing a Transformation Project to improve the recovery of money owed to the Council and that the Overview and Scrutiny Board be kept informed of progress.

(Note:  During consideration of the item in Minute 46, the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the item involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).)

The Director of Children’s Services to present the draft Children and Young People’s Plan (Policy Framework document).

The Mayor and Executive Lead for Children’s Services to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board to make any comments and/or recommendations as part of the consultation process.

The Director of Children’s Services presented the draft Children and Young People’s Plan which was currently subject to consultation.  It was explained that the action plans within the Plan would be populated as a result of the consultation process.

The Board raised a number of points which it would wish to see included in the final version of the Plan, including:

·         Reference to the population of children and young people in Torbay and how that relates to the overall population

·         Ensuring that tackling child poverty is included within the Plan

·         Reflecting the partnership approach to improving practice in Children’s Services through the agreement with Plymouth City Council

The Board also requested to review the final draft of the Plan ahead of consideration by the Council.