Agenda item

The Board was asked to consider and determine whether they wish to set up Scrutiny Task Groups to look at the Family Front Door and Bus and Community Transport Provision.

Family Front Door

The Family Front Door was the single way for members of the public or professionals to report a concern about a child or young person, or request additional help for a family.

The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel identified as part of its work programming process that it would wish to look at how the relationship between the Family Front Door and Partners was working.

The suggested terms of reference were to investigate how the Service was currently working, taking into account the relationship between the County Council and partners, and the progress made since the Ofsted Inspection and subsequent monitoring visits.

Due to the heavy workload of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel, it was suggested that Jane Potter, Vice-Chairman of the Panel would be asked to lead this Task Group.

The Board agreed to set up a Scrutiny Task Group to look at the Family Front Door led by Councillor Jane Potter, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

Bus and Community Transport Provision

On 13 September 2018, Council agreed the following Notice of Motion:

"The Council is concerned at the unexpected cuts in bus services announced by First and Diamond bus companies in August which take effect on 17 and 3 September respectively.

We welcome the undertaking that the Council will carry out a fundamental review of its entire subsidised services which will involve a public consultation exercise.

We ask that this review is supported by an urgent cross-party scrutiny into current bus and community transport provision which should include the availability of transport at crucial times of the day to get to work, to school or college, to medical appointments and for shopping. The scrutiny exercise should be completed by middle/late November to feed into the 2019/20 budget-setting process."

The suggested terms of reference were to investigate current bus and community transport provision including the availability of transport at crucial times of the day to get to work, to school or college, to medical appointments and for shopping.

Discussion points

·       It was emphasised that the problems with bus and community transport varied across the County and it was important that the Task Group had geographical balance and representation from each district.

·       The Task Group should be mindful of other work which had gone before it in order to avoid duplication.

·       The crux of the Scrutiny was whether the existing bus services met the needs of the bus users across the County.

·       It was suggested  that consideration should be given to widening the scope of the Scrutiny to look at the needs of the community who do not have access to a car and the options for travel.  The Chairman of the Board explained that the Scrutiny Proposal being considered was for a short Scrutiny looking at the existing service users, however, if agreed, there could be a second more in depth Scrutiny which took into account options available for travel for the people of Worcestershire.

·       Neighbouring areas should also be considered as part of the travel options for service users eg Wythall borders Birmingham.

·       There may also be some learning from Bus companies in other parts of the country.

·       All County Councillors should be invited to give their views on services within their areas.

The Board agreed to set up a Task Group led by Cllr Chris Bloore to investigate current bus and community transport provision including the availability of transport at crucial times of the day to get to work, to school or college, to medical appointments and for shopping.  The Task Group should have no more than 6 members and have geographical balance and representation from each district and all Councillors should be invited to submit their views to the Task Group.