To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Stockman and Councillor Stocks (who would be arriving late to the meeting).

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) held on 16 April 2018.

The Minutes of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) held on 16 April 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the submitted report on an update of mental health services in Torbay.

Members discussed and noted the submitted report which provided an update on some of the issues facing Torbay in respect of mental health and set out the plans for strategic mental health improvement as part of the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health within Devon.  The Plan was based around seven priority areas with five formal work areas being pursued, namely:

• Workstream Area 1: Development and implementation of an STP wide Mental Health Strategy for 2017/18 – 2021/22
• Workstream Area 2: Improving outcomes for children and young people
• Workstream Area 3: Dementia
• Workstream Area 4: Primary and Secondary Care Interface
• Workstream Area 5: Urgent and Crisis Care

In particular, Members discussed the importance of the community and voluntary sectors in supporting people with mental health and encouraged greater working with these groups.  Brixham had been particularly successful in working with these groups to improve outcomes for residents.  Members requested a briefing be given to all Members on ‘every contact counts’ and the different training being offered to help support people with mental health.

(Note:  Councillor Stocks arrived during discussion of this item.)

To consider the submitted report setting out the refreshed Torbay Carers Strategy for 2018-2021.

The Policy Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendations to the Elected Mayor:

(i)         that the Torbay Carers Strategy 2018-21 and Action Plan attached at Appendix 2 to the submitted report be approved.

(ii)        that the Carers Support Re-design attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report be noted.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out 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 revised Children and Young People’s Plan.

The Policy Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendation to the Elected Mayor:

            That the Elected Mayor recommend to Council;

(i)         that the Children and Young People’s Plan 2018/2023 be approved as part of the Council’s Policy Framework, with delegated authority to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Executive Lead for Children’s Services and the Elected Mayor to make any final amendments in light of the outcome of the Ofsted Inspection.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out 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 above.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) considered and noted the revised Children’s Services Improvement Plan (2018/19) and supported the immediate actions being taken, identified in the submitted report, to respond to Ofsted’s most recent monitoring visit.

Members noted that the Council and its partners were fully aware of where the Council was in terms of its improvements for Children’s Services and that we were now in a position of ‘requires improvement’ based on our assessment of our performance.  This position was also acceptable to Plymouth who were our new partners for Children’s Services.

To consider the submitted report on the above.

The Policy Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendations to the Elected Mayor:

(i)         that the Children Looked After Placements:  Sufficiency Statement and Action Plan 2018-2020 be approved; and

(ii)        that the Children Looked After Placements:  Sufficiency Statement and Action Plan be reviewed annually by the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) and at least quarterly by the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Children’s Improvement Board.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.