Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report CSD18118

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th July 2018 (excluding exempt items) be confirmed.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Thursday 6^th September 2018.

Four questions for written reply had been received - the questions and replies are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

(Oral Update)

The Director of Children’s Services gave an update on progress in improving Children’s Services. Over the summer there had been three more visits, which had all been very constructive and confirmed the positive direction of travel -

·  the seventh and final Ofsted visit on 12^th June, which  had focussed on vulnerable adolescents;

·  a visit by Mark Riddell MBE, National Implementation Adviser for Care Leavers, on 7^th/8^th June; and

·  a light touch visit by the Department for Education (DfE) Local Authority Interventions Unit on 3^rd July.  

In addition, the Director reported that thirty newly qualified social workers had recently joined the Council and were currently undergoing an intensive induction programme.

The Deputy Leader thanked the Director and her Team for the substantial improvements being made to children’s services, and read the following passage from the letter received from the DfE following their visit on 3^rd July -

“It is clear that the political leadership were accepting of Ofsted’s original judgement and, in doing so, have taken ownership of improvement work - reaffirming their corporate parenting responsibilities and placing children’s services at the heart of the Council’s wider mission statement. This engagement has helped foster an environment in which children’s services has been prioritised, allowing the corporate leadership to drive forward positive and sustained change.”  

He added that he had addressed the newly qualified social workers, and he thanked those Members who had attended the Corporate Parenting Fun day on 29^th July.

In response to questions, the Director confirmed that the number of children and young people in care had dropped to just under 300, from a high point of about 315 a couple of months previously; she expected the numbers to remain at about 300. She confirmed that some children did leave care and return to their families before they were 18, and the Council did make every effort to remain in touch with young people leaving care until they reached 25. However, in some cases these young people did not want to engage, and it was not possible to guarantee that contact was maintained with some who might remain vulnerable.   

The Leader thanked the Director and her Team for the progress being made, and urged them to continue with their hard work.

Bromley’s formal contract for the procurement and management of private sector leased properties and management of Council owned temporary accommodation, which formed an important part of the Council temporary accommodation portfolio, was due to expire on 31^st March 2019. The contract allowed for a two year extension and permission was sought to utilise this extension, which would be cost neutral. 

The report had been scrutinised by Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee at its meeting on 5^th September 2018; the PDS Committee had been concerned that there had been no opportunity for the report to be considered at a meeting of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee. The Leader reported that he had since seen correspondence between with the Chairman of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee and officers, accepting the explanation on grounds of urgency, as to why scrutiny at Executive, Resources and Contracts  PDS Committee, followed by the Executive, could suffice on this occasion.

Members raised concerns that the Council was too reliant on one provider of temporary accommodation. Officers reported that the private sector leasing market was small, but that Orchard and Shipman were now A rated, and there was an indemnity in place which helped to insure the Council against any potential financial loss.

RESOLVED that

(1) The contents of the report and the current action being taken to reduce the overall costs and improve the supply of Temporary Accommodation be noted.

(2) The proposal to utilise the extension option in the existing contract with Orchard and Shipman from 1^st April 2019 to 31^st March 2021 at an estimated gross value of £2.2m per annum be agreed; of this sum approximately £1m relates to the management fees for accommodation with the remainder passed directly to private landlords for the private rental charges.

(3) The Housing Division utilises the extension period to review the market in order to undertake a robust tendering process prior to the extension period expiring.

(4) It is noted that the Housing Division will continue to pursue cost effective block contracts for temporary accommodation both in private sector leasing and nightly paid accommodation (NPA).

(5) Authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director Education, Care and Health Services in consultation with Director of Commissioning, Director of Finance, Director of Corporate Services and the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio Holder to enter into block booking contracts and lease arrangements where offered to the Council where such arrangements provide a saving against current nightly paid rates.

There were no additional items to report from the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business referred to below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

The following summaries

refer to matters involving exempt information

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 11^th July 2018 were confirmed.

Biggin Hill ward

The Executive awarded a contract for construction works at Oaklands Primary School.

The Executive considered the procurement options for a replacement social care case management system.

The Executive agreed additional funding for speech and language therapy services for the 2018/19 academic year.