To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Elected Mayor Oliver and Councillors Amil and King.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) held on 6 November 2017.

The Minutes of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) held on 6 November 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the submitted report on the above.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendation to the Deputy Mayor:

That the Deputy Mayor be recommended to approve the new Eligibility Policy set out at Appendix 1 to the report to be submitted for public consultation.

The Deputy Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report on the above.

Members considered the submitted report and noted that the Torbay Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2016/7 showed a significant improvement in the work of the service and Members thanked staff for all their hard work.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendation to the Deputy Mayor:

That the Deputy Mayor be recommended to approve the Torbay Safeguarding Children Board (TSCB) Annual Report 2016-17 (Appendix 1) and Business Plan 2017-18 (Appendix 2).

The Deputy Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report on the Fostering Service Annual Report.

Members considered the submitted report and thanked staff for their work.  The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendation to the Deputy Mayor:

That the Deputy Mayor be recommended to approve the Annual Fostering Report 2016/17 set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

The Deputy Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report on the above.

(Note:  this report contains an exempt appendix which has been circulated separately.)

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendation to the Deputy Mayor:

That the Deputy Mayor be recommended that the options appraisal for Brunel Academy is extended to encompass the Polsham Key Stage 3 and Hillside Key Stage 4 alternative provision sites in order to develop an holistic response that makes best use of the resources available, whilst maximising outcomes for SEMH pupils.  This work to be completed early February 2018 with the outcome to be presented to a future meeting of the Policy Development and Decision Group.

The Deputy Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the submitted report on a review of the Children and Young People’s Plan (Policy Framework document).

Members of the Policy Development and Decision Group thanked Andy Dempsey – Director of Children’s Services, Rachel Williams – Head of Education, Learning and Skills and Anne Osborne – Assistant Director Children’s Safeguarding and the Children’s Services Team for all their hard work and improvements over the past twelve months.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendations to the Deputy Mayor:

(i)         that the draft Children and Young People Plan set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report be agreed as the basis for consultation with the Council’s partners and stakeholders (including children and young people);

(ii)        that the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Lead for Children and Adults Services, be authorised to develop the action plan with the Children and Young People Plan taking into account the views expressed during the consultation period; and

(iii)       that the final draft of the Children and Young People’s Plan be agreed by the Mayor ahead of it being presented to the Council for consideration.

The Deputy Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.