Issue - meetings

Urgent matters certified by the Chief Executive or his appointed officer

 

 

Meeting: 15/07/2013 - The Executive (Item 2)

2 Urgent Matters Certified by the Chief Executive or his Appointed Officer - Business Case Invest to Save - Child Placement Team pdf icon PDF 937 KB

On 10th July, 2013, the Chief Executive certified that the above matter be included as an urgent matter in the business and programme of the Executive for Monday, 15th July, 2013.

Decision:

RESOLVED to approve the invest to save proposal for further investment in the Child Placement Service to increase the number of internal foster placements for children and to reduce costs, subject to the following conditions:-

 

·         That progress against targets be reviewed within 12 months;

 

·         That the post of Marketing Officer be designated as a temporary post over the period of the invest to save proposal (ie 3 years) and in light of the review referred to above;

 

·         That the agreed funding be repaid via the savings achieved as a result of this proposal.

 

(Councillor Dylan Rees declared an interest in the matter and was not present at the meeting during any discussion regarding Cymdeithas Tai Eryri)

Minutes:

Reported - That the Chief Executive had allowed discussion upon this matter as urgent business in view of a reduction in costs to the Authority in employing agency placements.

 

Submitted - A report by the Head of Service (Childrens’ Services) seeking Executive approval for further investment in the Child Placement Service for additional resources to improve placement choice for children and reduce reliance on the purchase of external placements.

 

The Local Authority position as a provider was at odds with the increasing demand for Fostering Services.  The shortfall in provision has been ‘filled’ by a growing private sector of Independent Fostering Agencies.  Private providers could be flexible and responsive, but were usually significantly more expensive than internally provided Local Authority placements.

 

RESOLVED to approve the invest to save proposal for further investment in the Child Placement Service to increase the number of internal foster placements for children and to reduce costs, subject to the following conditions:-

 

·         That progress against targets be reviewed within 12 months;

 

·         That the post of Marketing Officer be designated as a temporary post over the period of the invest to save proposal (ie 3 years) and in light of the review referred to above;

 

·         That the agreed funding be repaid via the savings achieved as a result of this proposal.