Agenda item

Members of the Committee are requested to bring their copy of the agenda for the Executive meeting on 20^th May 2015.

Report CSD15057

The Committee considered the following reports on the part 1 agenda for the meeting of the Executive on 20^th May 2015.

(6)  Basic Need Programme

Report ED15501

The Executive was requested to approve appraisals for new schemes at a number of schools across the borough, including the Beacon House scheme, and to agree changes to the procurement strategy for the Basic Need Programme to address present volatility in market conditions. 

A Member asked how specific the estimates were, as a number of schemes at different schools appeared to be for exactly the same amount. It was explained that these figures were a broad allocation of capital funds and that the developments would be procured using modular build processes through the Lewisham framework, so at this stage it should be expected that many of the amounts would be the same.

A Member asked whether there might be other section 106 money available for these or other schemes. It was noted that some education S.106 money was site specific, but some was more generally available. The Committee received regular reports on the use of section 106 money.

Members commented that it did not appear to be prudent to advertise, in a public report, the standard 10% contingency allowed for all such schemes. Officers undertook to clarify this for the future. 

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.

(7)  Annual Report from Executive Working Party on Child Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting 

The Committee noted the annual report from the Executive Working Party on Child Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting.

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.

(8)  Adoption Update and Grant Draw-down

Report CS14127

The report provided an update on use of non-ring-fenced adoption reform grant and sought approval for the draw-down of £280,400 in 2015/16. Members noted that this was £8k more than had been sought in a previous report in October 2014.

Members noted that there had been a national increase in Special Guardianship Orders, at least partly following a series of court judgements, and suggested that the report on this issue to the Child Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting Working Group should be referred to Care Services PDS Committee for consideration.

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported, but in addition the Executive be recommended to contact the Secretary of State to see whether more could be done to assist local authorities and reduce judicial intervention. 

(9)  Release of Government Funding and Procurement Strategy to Support the Step Up to Social Work Programme 

Report CS14142

The Executive was requested to approve the release of ring fenced funding for 2015/16 and 2016/17 for cohort 4 of the Step up to Social Work programme and to agree the procurement strategy to deliver cohort 4. The Chairman noted that only one student had withdrawn from the third cohort of thirty two students. 

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.

(10)  Gateway Review of Substance Misuse Services

Report CS14134

The Executive had previously considered two reports on tendering for substance misuse services and had requested further information and a policy review. The report had also been considered at an earlier stage by Care Services PDS Committee, which had supported the recommendations.

It was confirmed that these were statutory services which the Council was required to provide, although some Members questioned the level of service. Some Members questioned whether the waiver should be granted to extend the Share Care contract until December 2015, but the Committee was informed that this would allow it to be aligned with other contracts. 

Members were concerned that there was not enough information available on the effectiveness of these programmes and how the proposed expenditure would actually lead to the outcomes that were sought. Members expressed concern that there was not an officer available to answer some of their points, and commented that more action should be taken with the Police to address the issues of drug-dealing.

RESOLVED that the Executive be informed that the Committee does not support the expenditure without further information to substantiate how the money will achieve the outcomes expected. 

(11)  Long Term Care of Older People – Extra Care Housing Supply and Demand – Further Report 

The Committee was informed in part 2 of the meeting why the report was not yet available.

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.

(12) Local Development Scheme 2015-16

Report DRR15/021

The Executive was requested to agree the Local Development Scheme. The report had already been considered and supported by Development Control Committee on 24^th March 2015.

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.