Agenda item

For Members to receive the following annual reports for 2019 – 2020:

      i.        Corporate Parenting Panel; and

    ii.        Health and Wellbeing Board.

Corporate Parenting Panel

The meeting received the Corporate Parenting Panel (CPP) Annual Report for 2019/20. Madam Mayor invited Councillor Flemming, in her capacity, as the Chair of the Corporate Parenting Panel to provide an introduction to the report.

Councillor Flemming informed Council that the reports that had been used to produce the Annual Report had been considered by CPP during the previous year. Councillor Flemming highlighted the contribution of the Empire Members who attended Panel meetings, on a regular basis, and were of different ages. It was noted that prior to the pandemic young people had attended the meetings to speak directly on key areas, such as the Staying Put Policy, which supported 17/18 year olds who were leaving care to remain with their foster carers, where possible. Councillor Flemming commended the young people for their contributions which had resulted in changes to policies.

It was recognised that challenges remained and CPP were looking at key areas such as; health visits and how to undertaken health assessments of young people in care, such as asylum seeking children. Councillor Flemming noted that it had been an interesting year and that following the Ofsted inspection the council’s children services had been rated Good.

Councillor Flemming highlighted that one of the key areas going forward would be related to housing.  CPP was committed to review and investigate this area.  Councillor Flemming concluded that she looked forward to working with members and Empire Members going forward to ensure they were delivering for the young people of Croydon.

Councillor Gatland was invited to ask a question on the Annual Report and thanked officers for their hard work in developing the report and the young people from Empire and others who had attended CPP meetings for their important contributions. Councillor Gatland noted that one the areas of improvement within the Ofsted report had been corporate parenting and highlighted that at the last meeting of CPP, officers had raised concerns that services for vulnerable young people would be impacted by staffing cuts and queried whether staffing levels would be cut or whether caseloads would be increased.

Councillor Flemming responded, that whilst she had focussed on the Empire children she also recognised the fantastic work of others who had been involved in the CPP. Councillor Flemming noted Councillor Gatland attended the meetings also and would be aware that discussions had been held with CPP in relation to social worker retention. Councillor Flemming stated the council were keeping a close eye on staffing levels and had reconfigured adolescent services to ensure sufficient resourcing was available. It was reflected that before the Improvement journey 70% of social workers had been agency staff and since then the council had been able to reduce that number significantly.

Councillor Flemming further informed Members that there was an upcoming staff webinar and there would be a Children’s Race and Equality Review Board meeting taking place which would ensure the voices of staff were being heard. The Cabinet Member committed to continue to champion and support them but stated that she was unable to commit that there would not be any staff losses but staff levels would continually be monitored.

In her supplementary question, Councillor Gatland asked whether the Cabinet Member was only reviewing staffing due to officers raising concerns at CPP meetings and whether caseloads would be increased as it was recognised that this had a negative impact ahead of the 2017 Ofsted inspection.

In response, Councillor Flemming stated that current caseloads were on average between 12 and 14 per social worker. Whilst the council would look at options to increase caseloads as it was stated the London average caseload was 17, Councillor Flemming stressed that this would only be when it was right and proper and would take into account the number of children involved in each case.

Madam Mayor explained that there was no time remaining for further questions on the report and that therefore, this concluded Council’s consideration of the report’s contents.

Health & Wellbeing Board

The meeting received the Health & Wellbeing Board Annual Report for 2019/20. Madam Mayor invited Councillor Woodley in her capacity as the Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board to provide an introduction to the report.

Councillor Woodley informed Council that the report summarised the work of the Board from June 2019 to May 2020 and included the measures taking in response to covid-19.

Council was informed the Board had received and agreed the Health & Wellbeing Strategy and the Croydon Health & Care Transformation Plan. Councillor Woodley, highlighted that priority 8 of the Strategy had been to ensure the right people were in the right place and at the right time by working in localities which had been timely when considering the work during the pandemic. Councillor Woodley highlighted the joined up working within Croydon across the council, health and community sector.

The Health Weight workshop was also raised by Councillor Woodley as having taken place in December 2019 which had linked to priority 7 of the Strategy with a stronger focus on prevention. Councillor Woodley explained that the workshop and the development of Health Weight Action Plans for 2020/21 had become particularly relevant when considered in light of the potential impact of covid-19 on those suffering from obesity.

Councillor Hopley was invited to ask a question on the report and queried whether in light of the Report in the Public Interest there was any intention to change the membership, so that the Board represented more of the community and review the governance to ensure well informed decisions going forward.

The meeting had reached the specified time for it to conclude (10pm), so Madam Mayor put to Council that in accordance with Paragraph 1.12(5) of Part 4A of the Constitution that the meeting be extended by 20 minutes to enable discussion of items to be concluded.

This was proposed by the Leader of the Council (Councillor Hamida Ali) and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition (Councillor Perry). The motion to extend the meeting was agreed unanimously by Council.

In response to the question, Councillor Woodley stated that Councillor Hopley was a member of the Board and had seen that all partners on the Board had worked really well in producing the Strategy and Plan which had been signed by members of the Board. Councillor Woodley further noted that there were representatives from the Asian Resource Centre (ARC) and Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA).  There were often a representative of the BAME Forum in attendance also. Additionally, teachers had been invited to attend to speak on the work they were doing to support young people’s mental health. Councillor Woodley concluded that the partners of the Board were able to engage with the business but that the Board also welcomed external input where appropriate.

In her supplementary question Councillor Hopley stated the current membership of the Board was political and the core membership was no longer community based. It was queried whether members of the Opposition would be invited to Executive Group meetings going forward and whether the Vice-Chair would be an Opposition member.

In response, Councillor Woodley noted that Dr Agnelo Fernandes was the Vice-Chair of the Board and whilst she was not aware of any proposed changes to the membership she was open to suggestions, such as a second Vice-Chair.

Councillor Fitzpatrick was invited to ask a question on the report and raised concerns in relation to the inequalities faced by the autistic community and requested information on the commitment of the Board and health partnership to taking forward the Autism Strategy, addressing the inequalities experienced by the community and embracing autism by refreshing the Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

In response, Councillor Woodley thanked Councillor Fitzpatrick for all of his work as the Autism Champion and for presenting a comprehensive report to the Board in October. Councillor Woodley further noted that he had attended a Board workshop in July which had related to inequalities during covid-19 and had highlighted the issues being experienced. Councillor Woodley confirmed that the Board would look at the recommendations within the Autism Strategy and would consider them as part of a future review of the Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

Madam Mayor explained that there were no remaining questions on the report and that therefore, this concluded Council’s consideration of the report’s contents.