To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Stockman.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) held on 5 November 2018.

The minutes of this Policy Development Decision Group held on 5 November 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the submitted report setting out a mid-term review of Torbay’s Strategy for Achieving Education Excellence Everywhere: Vision and Priorities 2016 – 2020.

Members considered the submitted report which set out a mid-term review of Torbay’s Strategy for Achieving Education Excellence Everywhere: Vision and Priorities 2016-2020.  Members noted to ensure maximum outcomes were achieved, the four priority areas agreed as part of the original strategy had acted as the guiding principles, and an update on each area was provided to members.  In particular members were advised that 99.8% of Statement of Education Needs were transferred to the new Education Health and Care Plan within the statutory deadline, work was ongoing between the Local Authority and schools to manage the number of permanent exclusions and that the campaign for fairer funding in education was a national issue.

Resolved:

That the progress made on the Education Strategy and revised action plan be noted.

To note the submitted report.

Members considered the submitted report which had been developed by the three parties to update the existing contract between Torbay South Devon Foundation Trust and Devon Partnership Trust.  Members were advised that the Memorandum of Understanding clarified the roles and responsibilities of the three partner organisation involved in the delivery and/or governance arrangements.

Resolved:

That the proposed arrangements set out in the Adult Mental Health Memorandum of Understanding be noted.

To note the submitted report which summaries the performance of the Torbay Fostering Service during 2017/18.

Members considered the submitted report which summarised the performance of the Torbay Fostering Service between April 2017 and March 2018.  Members noted that the number of looked after at the end of March 2018 was 325 equating to a rate of 129 children and young people per 10,000 population.  As a comparison at the end of March 2017 the number after was 284, this equated to a rate of 114 per 10,000 population.

Members were advised that the number of carers had declined year on year since 2014/15 and that the Ofsted inspection in June 2018 provided clear analysis of the weaknesses within the Fostering Service.  Members were assured the concerns raised by Ofsted would be addressed and the Annual Report for 2018-19 would provide information on how the Service was performing.  In addition the Fostering Sufficiency Strategy and supporting Recruitment Strategy would be published in February with a view to addressing the capacity issues within the in house service.

To consider the submitted report and make a recommendation to Council.

Members considered the submitted report setting out the Annual Strategic Agreement which sets out the way in which Torbay Council and South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group will commission services from Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.  Members noted that the present agreement covers the period to March 2020 and Appendix 1 to the submitted report provided the annual update to that agreement.

The Policy Development and Decision Group made the following recommendation to the Elected Mayor:

            That the Elected Mayor recommend Council to approve the Annual Strategic Agreement between Torbay Council, South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendation set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these minutes.