Issue - meetings

(Item B2 – oral report)

(1)       Ms Wainwight, on behalf on Mr Badman, gave a presentation to update Member on the Kent Children’s Trust.  The presentation focused on the introduction of Local Children’s Services Partnerships (LCSP’s).

(2)       Members asked questions which included the following issues:-

·              In response to various questions from Members Ms Wainwright explained that there were staff that had been put “at risk”.  These were the existing Local Education Officers and existing Joint Commissioning Officers.  The number of posts were being reduced from 31 to 23 although support would be needed for the Local Children’s Services Partnership Managers.  The new posts would require funding to be reinvested to support them.

·              In response to a question about the Consortia, Ms Wainwright explained that the 12 District Children’s Consortia had brought together some new partnership arrangements.  However, the funding available for Children’s Consortium (Performance Reward Grant) had ceased.  All Consortia were aware of the change and work was in hand to ensure that good practise was not lost.

·              Members discussed the perceived advantages and disadvantages of having 23 or 12 LCDPs.

·              It was confirmed that the Local Boards would be the forum for discussion with Members on the LCSPs to reflect the District Council areas.

·              In response to a point raised by Mr Bristow, Ms Wainwright agreed that due to the changes taking place it would be timely to issue a leaflet or information to refresh contact details.

(3)       RESOLVED That the presentation be noted and that a full report be submitted to the June meeting of the POC on the final evaluation of the Pathfinders and that there be a regular update on LCSP’s POC.