Agenda, decisions and minutes

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Contact: Cheryl Evans  Democratic Services Officer

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Items
No. Item

13.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor E J Poll (Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management).

 

It was also noted that Debbie Barnes OBE (Chief Executive) had also submitted apologies for absence.

14.

Declarations of Councillors' Interests

Minutes:

There were no interests declared.

15.

Announcements by the Leader, Executive Councillors and Executive Directors

Minutes:

Executive Councillor for Economy and Place

 

Councillor C J Davie, the Executive Councillor for Economy and Place, reported that the Tourism Commission for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland had been established, with the aim of producing a report by February 2021.  This report which would set the scene and shape for the visitor economy sector in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland and would support bids for a Tourism Sector Deal and Tourism Zone Status, which could lead to additional finance from the Government.

 

Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Resources and Communications

 

Councillor M J Hill OBE, the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor for Resources and Communications, announced that no formal response had been received from the Government to the Council's proposed devolution deal.  It appeared increasingly unlikely that Greater Lincolnshire would be included in the first cohort of local authority areas selected by the Government for a devolution deal.  There was no certainty on the timing of the publication of the Government's White Paper on this topic.  Work would continue with partners in Greater Lincolnshire to ensure benefits for the county as a whole.

 

The Leader of the Council also reported that although the rates of infection for Covid-19 were increasing in line with national trends, Lincolnshire had started from a low base.  Work was continuing with partners on actions in response, such as isolated outbreaks and making preparations for the roll-out of any vaccine.  

 

Executive Councillor for Highway, Transport and IT

 

Councillor R G Davies, the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT, was pleased to report that Lincolnshire County Council was the overall winner of the Patrol Parking Annual Reports by Councils award for 2020.  

16.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive held on 2 September 2020 pdf icon PDF 239 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 2 September 2020 be confirmed as a record and be signed by the Leader. 

17.

Payment Arrangements for Residential Care pdf icon PDF 248 KB

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Adult Care and Community Wellbeing which seeks approval to a change in payment arrangements from a "net" to "gross" basis for both Resident Contributions and Third Party Contributions for all categories of adult residential care)

Additional documents:

Decision:

(1)  That the second Report of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, as set out at Appendix A to the Report and the recommendations made therein, be noted.

 

(2)  That the improvements in systems and processes since this matter was last considered in 2018, and the improvement programme in progress to continue the journey, be noted.

 

(3)  That the change in payment arrangements from a "net" to "gross" basis for both Resident Contributions and Third Party Contributions for all categories of adult residential care be approved.

 

(4)  That the Executive Director for Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services, be delegated authority to make decisions as to the implementation of the change including determining all necessary changes to contractual documentation and the final implementation date for the change.

Minutes:

A report by the Executive Director of Adult Care and Community Wellbeing was introduced by Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell OBE, the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on the payment arrangements for residential care, following a report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in 2018. 

 

The report, presented by the Head of Finance, Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, set out the results of a review of the residential care payment arrangements since 2018.  This put forward a proposed change from a 'net' payment arrangement to a 'gross' payment arrangement.  Under the proposal, the Council would pay the residential fees in full and recover any service user contributions directly from the service user.

 

Three improvements were highlighted: a reduction in the assessment time from 17 weeks to four-to-six weeks, with earlier clarity on the level of service user contribution; a reduction in the costs of operating a gross payment system, which was expected to reduce further; and a system development programme, which would see four distinct IT processes and systems merging into three interactive systems, and this would embrace automated payments.  

 

Improvements in the debt collection process were underway, with an aim of recovering debt in a shorter period of time.  The improvements would be implemented by 31 March 2021.  

 

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board confirmed that the Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee had recorded its support for the recommendations to the Executive.  The Committee recognised the benefits of the proposed system.

 

The following points were clarified through questions:

 

·         Debt levels had been high, but processes were in place, for example through area team managers, with an assigned officer to manage each debt.  The lessons learned would be incorporated in the new Hoople IT system, which would be completed by March 2021.

·         Abacus would continue to be used for financial assessments, but an initial online assessment would provide an indication to the service user of their contribution level.

·         Approximately 70% of service user payments were made via direct debit and the use of direct debit was being encouraged.

·         A register had been compiled of all third party contributors to fees and is updated regularly.

·         The costs of the services provided by Serco were expected to reduce, as the use of automated systems increased. 

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)         That the second Report of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, as set out at Appendix A to the Report and the recommendations made therein, be noted.

 

(2)         That the improvements in systems and processes since this matter was last considered in 2018, and the improvement programme in progress to continue the journey, be noted.

 

(3)         That the change in payment arrangements from a "net" to "gross" basis for both Resident Contributions and Third Party Contributions for all categories of adult residential care be approved.

 

(4)         That the Executive Director for Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services, be delegated authority to make  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Integrated Risk Management Plan 2020-2024 pdf icon PDF 699 KB

(To receive a report from the Director of Fire, Rescue and Public Protection which seeks approval of the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), to cover the period 2020 to 2024)

Additional documents:

Decision:

(1)  That the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan, to cover the period 2020 to 2024, in the form of the documents attached at Appendices A to H of the Report be approved in principle, subject to the following amendments being incorporated:

 

-       reference to the student population, particularly in Lincoln, being included;

-       reference to joint activities with the Trading Standards Service, for example on illegal tobacco products being included;

-       reference to arrangements with neighbouring fire and rescue services being included;

-       the section entitled: "Pandemic Flu" being redrafted to reflect the potential impact of any pandemic or other effects arising from extensive health emergencies; and

-       reference to the recent extension to the caravan / tourist season into the winter period, including the potential impact on the service, being included.

 

such amendments to be determined by the Chief Fire Officer, in consultation with the Leader and the Executive Councillor: Culture and Emergency Services.

 

(2)  That the Integrated Risk Management Plan, (and associated frameworks) be published following the incorporation of the amendments set out in (1) above.

Minutes:

A report by the Director of Fire, Rescue and Public Protection was introduced by Councillor C N Worth, the Executive Councillor for Culture and Emergency Services, which invited the Executive to approve a new Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP).

 

The Director of Fire, Rescue and Public Protection presented the report, which provided a full update on the development of a new IRMP, for the period 2020 - 2024 and sought approval for the IRMP and associated documents, including the community risk profile and five supporting framework documents for: people; response; prevention and protection; resourcing; and evaluation.  The Fire and Rescue National Framework for England 2018 required the adoption and publication of an IRMP and enabled the service to focus its plans and resources on the basis of a thorough assessment of the risks facing its communities.

 

The Chairman of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the Committee supported the recommendations in the report and referred to the Committee's additional comments, detailed on pages 39-40 of the report pack.  The comments included the low consultation response rate; the exclusion of students from the population figures; trends in the use of alcohol, illicit drugs and illegal tobacco and joint working with Trading Standards; and neighbouring fire and rescue services responding to emergencies in Lincolnshire.

 

During discussion the following points were confirmed:

 

  • It was requested that in future documentation would be simplified, which would in turn encourage responses to the consultation from members of the public. In addition, there would be more activity focused on seeking responses from organisations, such as district councils.
  • The Scrutiny Committee had explored the procedures for staff raising concerns.   

·         Reference to the student population, particularly in Lincoln, many of whom reside in houses in multiple occupation, should be included.  

·         Reference to joint activities with the Trading Standards Service, for example on illegal tobacco products should be included.

·         Reference to arrangements with neighbouring fire and rescue services should be outlined in the documents.

·         The section entitled: "Pandemic Flu" should be redrafted to reflect the potential impact of any pandemic or other effects arising from extensive health emergencies.

·         The number of fire incidents in the county was declining.    

·         Reference to the recent extension to the caravan / tourist season by East Lindsey District Council into the winter period, including the potential impact on the service, should be included.  Business continuity plans for each fire station included consideration of the risk of flooding and the movement of assets to another location.  It was requested that the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee would consider the impact of a coastal inundation on the Fire and Rescue Service's resources, particularly in the light of the decision to extend the tourist season.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan, to cover the period 2020 to 2024, in the form of the documents attached at Appendices A to H of the Report be approved in principle, subject to the following amendments being incorporated:

 

·           reference  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Performance Reporting against the Council Business Plan 2019/2020 - Quarter 4 pdf icon PDF 355 KB

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Commercial which presents the 2019/2020 Quarter 4 performance)

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the 2019/2020 Quarter 4 performance be noted.

Minutes:

An overview of the performance for quarter 4 of the Council Business Plan 2019-20 was introduced by the Executive Director - Commercial.  The Performance and Equalities Manager advised that overall nine commissioning strategies had performed well or really well, compared to six in the third quarter.  The Covid-19 pandemic had impacted on the performance of a number of measures in quarter 4, for example visits to libraries and trading standards activities.

 

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board confirmed that the Board had recorded its support for the recommendation to the Executive.  The Board had recorded its congratulations on the quarter four performance against the Council Business Plan.   

 

In response to a question, it was advised that guidance would be circulated to the Executive on the funding and responsibilities for the Government's proposed Covid-19 marshals, when this became available. 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the 2019/2020 Quarter 4 performance be noted.

20.

Corporate Plan Performance Framework pdf icon PDF 167 KB

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Commercial which seeks approval of the Corporate Plan Performance Framework, as set out at Appendices A – C of the report)

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the Corporate Plan Performance Framework, as set out in Appendices A, B and C to the report, be approved.

Minutes:

The Executive Director – Commercial Executive introduced a report on a proposed corporate plan performance framework.  The Performance and Equalities Manager advised that performance reporting would commence against the success framework, which had previously been approved by the Executive, and replace the Council Business Plan performance reporting.

 

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board confirmed that the Board had recorded its support for the recommendations to the Executive.  The Board had acknowledged that the key performance indicators were in some instances still being developed, as this was only the first year of the new framework.  The criteria would be reviewed regularly and refined as and when necessary.

 

It was also noted that a number of criteria in the support high aspirations ambition, such as the achievement levels at key stages 2, 4 and 5, would only be reported annually.  However, the Board had requested that consideration be given to ways in which this ambition could be monitored on a quarterly basis to show current performance.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Corporate Plan Performance Framework, as set out in Appendices A, B and C to the report, be approved.

 

 
 
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