Agendas, Meetings and Minutes - Agenda and draft minutes

Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Online Only

Items
No. Item

1256.

Named Substitutes

Minutes:

None.

1257.

Apologies and Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None.

1258.

Election of Chairman

Minutes:

Mr A C Roberts was elected Chairman.

1259.

Election of Vice-Chairman

Minutes:

Mr M J Hart was elected Vice-Chairman.

1260.

Confirmation of Minutes

To authorise the procedure for confirming and signing the Minutes of this meeting.  It is recommended that the Minutes be circulated to Members of the Panel and be signed by the Chairman in light of any comments on their accuracy received within 7 days of their circulation.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED: that the minutes of this meeting be circulated to Members of the Panel and be signed by the Chairman in the light of any comments on their accuracy received within 7 days of their circulation.

 

 

1261.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The Panel will be asked to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item as it is likely that exempt information relating to any individual will be disclosed and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED: that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item as it is likely that exempt information relating to any individual will be disclosed and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

 

1262.

Director of Children's Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Dr Catherine Driscoll, Chief Executive, would be leaving Worcestershire Children First in February 2021.

 

In addition to her role as Chief Executive of WCF, Catherine had conducted the statutory role of Director of Children Services for the County Council via a tri party agreement with WCF and the Council. This was considered to be very effective.

 

By statute, the Council was required to have a designated Director of Children’s Services (DCS). This was to undertake the duties and services in accordance with the statutory requirements and statutory guidance.

 

The DCS would be responsible for the performance of the Council functions relating to children’s services including the education and social care of children and young people. The Post was responsible for ensuring that effective systems were in place for discharging these functions, including:

 

a)    where the Council had commissioned any relevant services from another provider rather than delivering them itself.

b)    where specific duties were undertaken by staff within WCF who must carry out functions on behalf of the DCS which cannot be delegated to WCF.

 

The tri-party agreement allowed for dedicated time (20% of the working week) to undertake the DCS responsibilities for the Council whilst continuing to fulfil the Chief Executive role for Worcestershire Children First. This had worked well and has been adopted as a best practice way of working by other organisations who were setting up the same arrangements as Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Children First.

 

It was noted that the Board of Worcestershire Children First had recommended to the Secretary of State that Tina Russell be appointed on an interim basis as Chief Executive of the Company. It was felt that his would ensure stability, continuity and continued focus on the agreed priorities in 2021/22. The Panel was satisfied that Tina Russell could also carry out the role of Director of Children’s Services.

 

 RESOLVED that the Panel

 

(a)  agreed to continue the tri-party arrangement between Worcestershire Children First (WCF), the Council and the nominated Director of Children’s Services (DCS);

 

(b)  delegated to the Chief Executive authority to engage in the tri-party agreement, on behalf of the Council, with Tina Russell with effect from 22 February 2021; and

 

(c)  In agreeing to (b) agreed that this appointment is temporary until 31 August 2021, by which time it will be reviewed.