To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) held on 1 October 2018.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) held on 1 October 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the submitted report on the above.

Members considered the submitted report on the Early Years Sufficiency Annual Report which provided an update on the sufficiency of places for childcare for working parents, or parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0 – 14 years (or up to 18 years for disabled children).  The report demonstrated that overall there were sufficient childcare places, although there was a need to increase capacity in some areas such as school holidays and longer daytime hours.

Resolved:

(i)         that the Elected Mayor be recommended to approve the Torbay Childcare Sufficiency Report (September 2018) set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report enabling its publication; and

(ii)        that the Policy Development Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) receive an update on progress of implementing the actions in the Torbay Childcare Sufficiency Report at a future meeting.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendation set out in (i) 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 annual adoption report.

Members considered a report which provided an update on adoption social care activity between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018.  It was noted that there continues to be a sustained government focus upon adoption as part of permanence planning in order to secure better outcomes for children by increasing the choice of adopter, avoiding drift and delay and improving post adoption support.

Torbay has continued as an active member of Adopt South West (AdoptSW) with the focus of the last year being meeting the timescale of the transition to the Regional Adoption Agency, Adopt SW, for the ‘go live’ of 1 October 2018.  Members noted that Alison Botham, Director of Children’s Services, was a member of the Adopt South West Board and therefore provides a direct link to the Board from the Council.

Resolved:

(i)         that the Annual Adoption Report 2017/2018 set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report be noted; and

(ii)        that the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) receive updates on progress at a future meeting as part of Member oversight of the establishment of the Regional Adoption Agency.