Agenda, decisions and minutes

None received.

Minority Group Leaders in attendance at the meeting are able to ask a question on a report on the agenda. Any questions should be provided in writing by 12 noon at least 2 working days before the meeting.

The following questions had been submitted by Councillor J Dixon, Leader of the Labour Group:

Agenda item 5

How many people who attend the 8 Older People’s Day centres and the 11 residential care homes have a diagnosis of dementia and what capacity has been assessed as being available to provide alternative services for people with dementia in each local area?

Agenda item 6

At the same meeting where you are deciding to go to consultation on the closure of all adult day care centres, you are also consulting on cutting grants to voluntary sector organisations that might mitigate the impact of these potential closures – activities like 56 lunch clubs, befriending, Age Concern and Careline.  Where are individuals and families going to turn to?

Agenda item 8

Many of the organisations that might be affected by the decision to consult on the future sustainability of Adult Social Care Discretionary could also be affected if Strategy and Policy discretionary grant funding were also withdrawn.  Have you considered what the potential withdrawals of both grants could have on the viability of some of the organisations affected?

Agenda item 9

In the recent Scrutiny meeting, discussing this potential decision, it was reported that the dis-establishment of the Early Years team and closure of Children’s Centres could have implications for the number of children falling into crisis and this will have a substantial impact on the Council’s budget.  Could you share what plans you are putting in place to manage this?

Agenda item 10

What the cost of potentially implementing this policy in relation to the amount that might be generated by what the report states is a relatively small cohort?

Agenda item 13

The report states that “Due to the level of work required to produce the updated document and the limited Council officer availability, …..the Cabinet Member for Highways, Assets and Transport approved the use of external consultants, SCP, …. to undertake most of the work related to the BSIP refresh.”  What is the cost of bringing in consultants to do the update?

Agenda item 14

So far, the county council has been awarded two tranches of funding for BSIP totally £51.522 million.  What amount did the county council originally bid for?

RESOLVED:

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 11 April 2024.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Approve the programme of formal public consultation for a period of 12 weeks on the two proposed options concerning the future of the eleven residential homes and integrated day opportunities for older people, and all of the non-integrated day opportunities for older people; and

2)   Receive a further report following the conclusion of the consultation process, including an Equality Impact Analysis.

An answer to the question submitted by Councillor Dixon was provided as follows:

“In developing proposals for the cabinet paper, we have undertaken background work in regards to capacity within the Private, Voluntary and Independent Sector to support older adults that would be potentially impacted. As would be expected, there is a significant proportion (65%) of people attending the eight ‘non’ integrated’ day centres with a dementia recorded on care planning documentation although not all have a formal diagnosis of dementia.

There are 16 PVI providers offering 63 flexible day opportunities that are advertised as being available to older adults with dementia across Derbyshire. A number of these flexible services are advertised as being available on a county wide basis. The flexible framework for day opportunities is designed to respond and flex to changes in demand with providers moving to meet demand where it arises. In addition to these opportunities, 57 PVI Registered Care Homes have signed up to DCC's Day Care T&C's, 41 of which have dementia as a registered specialism with CQC and 9 with the DCC Dementia Standards award.

In addition to these alternatives, people have the option to use their personal budget and access direct payments to employ a Personal Assistant for their care and support.

There are 54% of people in the 9 residential settings referenced in option 1, with a dementia recorded on care planning documentation although not all have a formal diagnosis of dementia. In option 2 there are a further two homes referenced, Lacemaker Court and Florence Shipley, where every person must have dementia as a primary care need to be eligible to reside. (Therefore 61% across the eleven settings have dementia recoded on care planning documentation).

In terms of alternative residential care, there are 78 PVI providers of residential care that the Council contract with across the county. With the exception of the Leys, there is currently sufficient capacity within the PVI to accommodate all long-term residents from the care homes referenced in the cabinet paper at option two, within a ten mile radius of their current provision, should that be required. For the Leys, there is sufficient capacity within PVI to accommodate all residents within a 12 mile radius of their current provision, should that be required. This would of course be subject to an individual assessment of need prior to any move taking place.”

Councillor N Hoy introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, that sought approval to undertake public consultation in relation to the future delivery of the Council’s residential care homes and day opportunities for older people.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Approve the programme of formal public consultation for a period of 12 weeks on the two proposed options concerning the future of the eleven residential homes and integrated day opportunities for older people, and all of the non-integrated day opportunities for older people; and

2)   Receive a further report following the conclusion of the consultation process, including an Equality Impact Analysis.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76/24

RESOLVED to:

1)   Approve the programme of formal public consultation on the cessation of the current Adult Social Care allocation of discretionary grants to the services outlined in this report;

2)   Note that a further report will be received following the conclusion of the consultation, including a full Equality Impact Assessment; and

3)   Approve the award of an interim grant to Bolsover Woodlands Enterprise for the amount of £78,462 for the period 1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025 in order to align their funding timeline with these proposals and the other grant recipients.

An answer to the question submitted by Councillor Dixon was provided as follows:

“As suggested the Council is proposing to consult on the future of 8 day care services currently operated by the Council. The consultation exercise will take account of people’s views about the current provision, usage and what alternative day care services are available to mitigate the impact of any potential closures. I can confirm that there are a range of meaningful day time activities already established across the county, many of them operated by voluntary and community sector providers that the Council contracts with and they will not be impacted by the proposed consultation of the Adult Social Care grant programme.”     

Councillor N Hoy introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to a proposal to consult on the cessation of Adult Social Care Discretionary Grant Funding.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Approve the programme of formal public consultation on the cessation of the current Adult Social Care allocation of discretionary grants to the services outlined in this report;

2)   Note that a further report will be received following the conclusion of the consultation, including a full Equality Impact Assessment; and

3)   Approve the award of an interim grant to Bolsover Woodlands Enterprise for the amount of £78,462 for the period 1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025 in order to align their funding timeline with these proposals and the other grant recipients.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Approve the transfer of £1.000m per annum from Public Health to Children’s Services via a journal transfer to continue the Public Health investment into the delivery of preventative support interventions from Children’s Centres over a 2-year period between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2027; and

2)   Note that this funding will be provided out of the Public Health Grant.

Councillor C Hart introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, that sought approval for a journal transfer to enable Public Health funding to support Children’s Centres.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the transfer of £1.000m per annum from Public Health to Children’s Services via a journal transfer to continue the Public Health investment into the delivery of preventative support interventions from Children’s Centres over a 2-year period between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2027; and

2)    Note that this funding will be provided out of the Public Health Grant.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Approve consultation on the cessation of discretionary grant funding; and

2)   Note that a further report will be submitted to Cabinet following conclusion of the consultation, including a full Equality Impact Assessment.

Councillor C Hart introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to the proposal to consult on the cessation of Corporate Services and Transformation discretionary grant funding.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve consultation on the cessation of discretionary grant funding; and

2)    Note that a further report will be submitted to Cabinet following conclusion of the consultation, including a full Equality Impact Assessment.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Approve the disestablishment of the Council’s existing Early Help teams and Children’s Centres;

2)   Confirm that further funding for the Early Help Development Service should not be provided; and

3)   Approve the implementation of a new service model for Family Help in Derbyshire, the retention of 12 Children’s Centre buildings, and the closure of 10 Children’s Centre buildings.

An answer to the question submitted by Councillor Dixon was provided as follows:

“The Early Years Service is not to be disestablished; the changes proposed are to the Council’s Early Help Service. Following the implementation of the revised Early Help service we will monitor closely the impact of the changes for children and their families through a suite of indicators, along with the impact on the Council’s finances and consideration will be given as to how we respond.” 

Councillor J Patten introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, that sought approval of the proposals in relation to Early Help and Children’s Centres in Derbyshire.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Approve the disestablishment of the Council’s existing Early Help teams and Children’s Centres;

2)   Confirm that further funding for the Early Help Development Service should not be provided; and

3)   Approve the implementation of a new service model for Family Help in Derbyshire, the retention of 12 Children’s Centre buildings, and the closure of 10 Children’s Centre buildings.

RESOLVED:

To approve the commencement of public consultation, and engagement with relevant staff and families as well as partner agencies for an 8-week period.

An answer to the question submitted by Councillor Dixon was provided as follows:

“It is estimated that between 14 and 28 families per year could be requested to contribute 50% of the cost of care for their child. There is a variance in the amount of return from the contributions dependent on the age of the child – if contributions are made for 28 children at the upper age range the total of the contributions would be £164,892 to the Council per year. The estimated administrative cost of setting up the contribution per child is £25 therefore for 28 children the cost would be £700. Due to the minimal ongoing administration of the contributions this requirement can be met as part of business as usual activity. Therefore, the overall estimated return to the Council would be £164,192. The purpose of this report before Cabinet is to request agreement to consult therefore further information will be provided in a subsequent Cabinet report taking into account the outcome of the consultation.”

Councillor J Patten introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, that sought approval to commence public consultation in relation to the contribution to care policy.

RESOLVED:

To approve the commencement of public consultation, and engagement with relevant staff and families as well as partner agencies for an 8-week period.

RESOLVED to:

Approve the enlargement of premises at The Curzon CE (Aided) Primary School.

Councillor A Dale introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, reporting the outcome of the statutory consultation carried out on the enlargement of premises and seek approval to enlarge the premises at The Curzon CE (Aided) Primary School.

RESOLVED to:

Approve the enlargement of premises at The Curzon CE (Aided) Primary School.

RESOLVED:

To note the receipt/availability of Section 106 allocations and approve the allocations to the proposed projects as outlined in Appendix 2 to the report.

Councillor A Dale introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to the receipt of Section 106 developer contributions and that sought approval for the allocation of these contributions to projects in line with the individual Section 106 agreements.

RESOLVED:

To note the receipt/availability of Section 106 allocations and approve the allocations to the proposed projects as outlined in Appendix 2 to the report.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Note the update on the new Bus Service Improvement Plan, the guidance published by the Department for Transport and the work undertaken so far to meet the objectives set down in it; and

2)   Approve the various additional measures which are recommended for inclusion in the Council’s refreshed BSIP for the 2025-26 programme onwards and grants the Executive Director - Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member - Highways Assets and Transport delegated powers to agree the final wording of the refreshed Bus Service Improvement Plan which must be submitted to the Department for Transport by 12 June 2024.

A response to Councillor Dixon’s question was provided as follows:

“The costs have been contained within the consultant’s current contract for assisting with work for BSIP including support for the Enhanced Partnership Board which totals a maximum spend of £125,000 to the end of March 2025. This is 0.2% of the overall investment that BSIP is enabling DCC to make in Derbyshire’s bus networks.”

Councillor C Cupit introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to the Bus Service Improvement Plan Refresh.

RESOLVED to:

1)   Note the update on the new Bus Service Improvement Plan, the guidance published by the Department for Transport and the work undertaken so far to meet the objectives set down in it; and

2)   Approve the various additional measures which are recommended for inclusion in the Council’s refreshed BSIP for the 2025-26 programme onwards and grants the Executive Director - Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member - Highways Assets and Transport delegated powers to agree the final wording of the refreshed Bus Service Improvement Plan which must be submitted to the Department for Transport by 12 June 2024.

RESOLVED:

To approve delegating the decision, in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, to the Executive Director – Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Highways Assets and Transport, to accept Phase 3 Bus Services Improvement Plan funding to deliver long-term bus service improvements via the Department for Transport’s Network North funding, at an indicative value of £4.519m in 2024-25.

In response to Councillor Dixon’s question, it was noted that the answer could be found in paragraph 4.2 of the report relating to the previous agenda item.

Councillor C Cupit introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to the Bus Service Improvement Plan and the acceptance of Phase 3 funding.

RESOLVED:

To approve delegating the decision, in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, to the Executive Director – Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Highways Assets and Transport, to accept Phase 3 Bus Services Improvement Plan funding to deliver long-term bus service improvements via the Department for Transport’s Network North funding, at an indicative value of £4.519m in 2024-25.

To move “That under Regulation 4 (2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England)  Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that in view of the nature of the items of business, that if members of the public were present, exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 would be disclosed to them.”

RESOLVED:

That under Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public are excluded from the meeting for the remaining business on the grounds that in view of the nature of the items of business, that if members of the public were present, exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 would be disclosed to them.

RESOLVED:

To approve, as a correct record, the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 11 April 2024.

Councillor C Cupit introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to the Bus Real Time Information Systems in Derbyshire.

RESOLVED:

To approve the recommendations as detailed in the not for publication report.

Councillor C Cupit introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to the Bus Real Time Information Systems in Derbyshire.

RESOLVED:

To approve the recommendations as detailed in the not for publication report.

RESOLVED:

To approve the recommendations as detailed in the not for publication report.

Councillor C Cupit introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, in relation to an urgent decision taken by the Director of Place to accept the Zero-Emissions Bus Regional Area Grant Funding from the Department of Transport.

RESOLVED:

To approve the recommendations as detailed in the not for publication report.