Issue - meetings

(1)       Dr Craig advised the Committee of the new management arrangements as he was due to retire.  As from 1 April to 11 May, Mr Keith Abbott would be taking up the whole Directorship, dealing with the day-to-day issues within the CFE Directorate.  The Chief Executive would have legal responsibility for safe-guarding issues within the Directorate.  The post of Director, Strategic Policy and Performance, formally held by Mrs M Hodges who recently retired (and currently covered by Mr Abbott) would remain open to afford Mrs Rosalind Turner, Managing Director, flexibility with the management team structure, especially in light of the Lord Lamin Report.  Dr Craig advised that the Lamin Report, which was presently with the Secretary of State, had 58 recommendations which would be central to the way Children Families and Education organise its structure.  The role that Dr Craig held would be taken on by Mr G Ward.  Mr B Anderson, Mr K Abbott, Mrs J Wainwright and Mr R Murrells would keep their original roles.   

(2)       Members requested copies of the Lord Lamin Report and the transcript of Lord Lamin’s recent speech in the House of Commons. 

(3)       Mrs Angell suggested that the Lamin Report should not remain a CFE POC issue but should be kept at the forefront of all County Councillors minds.  In response, Mrs Allen advised that the Overview, Scrutiny and Localism Manager would be including this in the Member Induction. 

(4)       In response to concerns raised regarding social workers’ morale and social worker post vacancies, Mr Ridings advised that the Chief Executive had given the go ahead to appoint more social workers with the support of an extra £1.5 m in the budget for 2009, in response to the Lamin Report due to be published in April 2009. 

(5)       RESOLVED that the report and Members’ comments and requests be noted.