Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business transacted at this meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:  That (1) in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the following item be admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2)  all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2007 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2007 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received at this meeting under the provisions of the Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

Report of the Corporate Director, Children’s Services.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Children’s Services, summarising the Government White Paper Care Matters – Time for Change.  The officer reported on how Harrow was organising its response to the White Paper and agreed to supply Members with copies of the response when it was ready.  The officer also briefed Members on the work of the Children Looked After Life Chances Forum and answered questions from Members, who noted that Harrow had already adopted as standard practice many of the proposals set out in the White Paper.

RESOLVED:  To note the scope of the White Paper and the changes and recommendations in terms of service delivery and the impact on Children Looked After.

Report of the Corporate Director, Children’s Services.

The Panel received an information report of the Corporate Director, Children’s Services, setting out key data relating to Children Looked After and Children on the Child Protection Register, as well as information on key performance indicators up to the end of August 2007.  The officer answered questions from Members who noted, among other things, an increased level of good health of Children Looked After. 

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director, Children’s Services.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Children’s Services, setting out information on the service delivery arrangements in relation to Children Looked After.  The officer reported that a dedicated team was in place and functioning, with the stability of placements as a focus.  Issues raised by Members included delays in access to mental health services by Children Looked After, particularly children moving between boroughs.  The officer reported that this was being resolved with the appointment of a dedicated therapist for Children Looked After.

RESOLVED:  To (1) endorse current service developments;

(2) support the future development of these services.