Agenda item

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               having considered the submission and additional recommendation proposed by the Corporate Director of Children and Families at appendix 5 to the report, and having reconsidered the decision of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 April 2013 set out at appendix 3 to the report as a result of the decision of the Call-in Sub-Committee, the original decision of Cabinet be amended, as follows:

That, given that trades unions and staff members had expressed significant interest in the key decision to externalise a greater percentage of the service, Cabinet reconsider the Key Decision in relation to SNT3 in September 2013 to allow fuller consultation with trades unions, staff and service users and for the decision to be made with the benefit of the consultation responses.

(2)               a report outlining the process of drawing up and approving Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) for Cabinet level decisions be submitted to a future Cabinet meeting.

Reason for Decision: To reconsider the decision at the earliest opportunity following the referral by the Call-In Sub-Committee and to allow progress to be made on the SNT3.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  To confirm the decision made by Cabinet on 11 April 2013.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member / Dispensation Granted:  None.

Cabinet received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services, which set out the decision of the Call-In Sub-Committee meeting held on 29 April 2013 following the receipt and consideration of a Call-In notice in relation to Cabinet’s decision of 11 April 2013 on the Special Needs Transport Change Programme 3 (SNT 3).

The Leader of the Council welcomed the report from the Call-In Sub-Committee and thanked the Members involved for their scrutiny in regard to SNT3.  The Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Families commended the recommendations of the Call-In Sub-Committee to Cabinet, including the recommendation from the Corporate Director of Children and Families, at appendix 5 to the report, which would allow for fuller consultations.

The Non-Executive (non-voting) Cabinet Members commented that the commitment to consult should be genuine and fair and residents and staff should feel engaged.  It was important to listen to the views of those consulted and not to be seen to have drawn any prior conclusions.  They sought assurances in this regard and suggested that the Council’s consultation process with staff and residents be re-examined to ensure a holistic and thorough approach.  In response, the Leader of the Council stated that he was aware of the issues surrounding the Council’s consultation process and had asked the Head of Communications to lead on this matter with a view to presenting a paper.

The Corporate Director of Children and Families explained that additional work relating to the consultation on the SNT3 was required.  She added that the Call-In Sub-Committee did not raise any concerns over the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) submitted in relation to the SNT3 but that, in any case, the EqIA would be refreshed when a further report was submitted to Cabinet in September 2013.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Families commended the recommendation of the Call-in Sub-Committee and it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               having considered the submission and additional recommendation proposed by the Corporate Director of Children and Families at appendix 5 to the report, and having reconsidered the decision of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 April 2013 set out at appendix 3 to the report as a result of the decision of the Call-In Sub-Committee, the original decision of Cabinet be amended, as follows:

That, given that trades unions and staff members had expressed significant interest in the key decision to externalise a greater percentage of the service, Cabinet reconsider the Key Decision in relation to SNT3 in September 2013 to allow fuller consultation with trades unions, staff and service users and for the decision to be made with the benefit of the consultation responses.

(2)               a report outlining the process of drawing up and approving Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) for Cabinet level decisions be submitted to a future Cabinet meeting.

Reason for Decision:  To reconsider the decision at the earliest opportunity following the referral by the Call-In Sub-Committee and to allow progress to be made on the SNT3.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  To confirm the decision made by Cabinet on 11 April 2013.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member / Dispensation Granted:  None.