To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 26 October 2011.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 26 October 2011 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider:

The Board considered reports which summarised the performance of the performance indicators and projects in the Council’s strategic scorecard, the Council’s approved capital programme for the second quarter of 2011/12, and the Council’s revenue budget for the same period.

With reference to personal knowledge of projects informing the performance indicators, members questioned the accuracy of some performance information presented in the report.  With reference to indicators on the strategic scorecard, Board members questioned the apparent dip in performance since Quarter One, 2011/12.

In response to questions, the Deputy Mayor and Executive Lead Member for Strategic Planning, Housing, and Energy indicated that recycling rates in the Bay would achieve the 2020 target by the end of 2012.  In reply to questions, the Deputy Mayor and Executive Lead Member for Strategic Planning, Housing, and Energy advised the meeting of the Mayor’s strategic priorities.

With reference to adults safeguarding, Board members questioned the timeliness of social care assessments and why Devon Partnership NHS Trust was performing below target.  A representative of Devon Partnership NHS Trust addressed the meeting and explained the mental health pathways and referral points.  He indicated that the Trust’s priority was to ensure the most urgent cases received treatment in a timely manner and that the current target could be improved.  The Chief Executive Officer, Torbay Care Trust, indicated agreement that the performance measurement should be re-examined prior to agreement of next year’s Annual Strategic Agreement between the Care Trust and Torbay Council.

Board members questioned the increase in employee total costs in all Commissioning areas across the council apart from Adults and Operations Commissioning.  The Board was advised that seasonal variations could be a factor and an explanation would be provided. 

With reference to a recent Serious Case Review, Board members asked for clarification concerning the improvements to children’s safeguarding.  The Executive Lead Member for Children, Schools and Families and the Acting Director of Children’s Services indicated that initial assessments suggested safeguarding was improving.

Board members questioned whether the impact on performance of in-year cuts and savings was discernible.  In response, the Board was advised that any impact from cuts would be within performance data for Quarters Three and Four of 2011/12 rather than Quarter Two.  Board members requested details of the in-year savings proposals and were advised by the Executive Head of Finance that the relevant document would be provided.

With reference to the Council’s strategic scorecard, Board members questioned the number of entities without data or targets and requested a written explanation.

Board members questioned the Empty Homes Scheme, particularly the need to borrow £0.5 million. In response the Board was advised of the anticipated benefits.

With reference to the identification of the contingency fund for the capital programme as a significant risk, the Board questioned the amount allocated.  In reply, the Board was advised that each project within the programme had a contingency fund in addition to the fund for the programme as a whole.

Members questioned the identification of the New Homes Bonus as uncommitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 371.

To consider a position statement on the Overview and Scrutiny Key Stage 2 Review and information about the Torbay’s Schools Improvement Partnershipand how education services within the Local Authority have developed over the last 12 months.

The Board considered a report providing a position statement on the recommendations and actions arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Key Stage 2 review.  The report also included information concerning the Torbay’s Schools Improvement Partnership and how education services within the Bay had developed over the previous twelve months.

In reply to questioning, the Board was advised that all partnership schools apart from two primary school academies were using School Improvement Partners.  

Members asked for an update on the development of an expert governor role for Key Stage 2 education.  In response the Board was advised that officers were investigating methods to identify leading governors.

To receive updates from Scrutiny Review chairs.

Overview and Scrutiny review chairs provided verbal updates on the progress of their respective reviews; namely, Anti-social Behaviour and Private Sector Housing; Youth Employment; and Safeguarding.