Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes from the meeting held on 7 September 2010 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

It was reported that no public questions had been received.

The minutes of the Executive Board and the Executive Board Sub-Committee relating to the work of the Corporate Policy and Performance Board since its last meeting, were submitted for information.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes be noted.

The Minutes from the last Halton Strategic Partnership Board would not be agreed until its next meeting being held on 1st December 2010, so these would be reported on the next Corporate Policy and Performance Board Agenda.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director Adults and Community, which updated Members on progress on implementing new approaches to locality working.

The report explained that locality working was an approach to how the Council worked with its partners in responding to local concerns, delivering services and key objectives within localities.  The approach was built on the area forum mechanism to engage with communities and the voluntary sector.  This approach to locality working was agreed by the Executive Board 8 April 2010.

The report went on to provide information in detail of the progress that had been made so far, for all Area Forums, namely;

1.      Broadheath, Ditton, Hale and Hough Green;

2.      Appleton, Kingsway and Riverside;

3.      Birchfield, Farnworth and Halton View;

4.      Grange, Halton Brook, Heath and Mersey;

5.      Halton Castle, Norton North, North South and Windmill Hill;

6.      Beechwood and Halton Lea; and

7.      Daresbury.

             RESOLVED: That the progress report on implementing new approaches to locality working be noted.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Resources, which offered an opportunity to contribute to the development of Directorate Business Plans for the coming financial year.

The report explained that each Directorate of the Council was required to develop a medium term business plan, in parallel with the budget, that was subject to annual review and refresh.  The process of developing such plans for the period 2011-2014 was just beginning, hence the invitation for Members to participate.

Members commented that in the current financial climate, it would be difficult for them to make any contributions to the business plans as the future was so uncertain.  In response, it was understood that this would be a difficult task however; Members were invited to forward any items they may have to the Operational Director – Legal and Democratic Services, for inclusion.

RESOLVED:  That Members indicate to the Operational Director – Legal and Democratic Services, priority areas for service development and improvement over the next 3 years.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, Resources, concerning the corporate accident statistics with associated trends for 1 April 2009 to 10 September 2010.  Attached to the report was benchmarking information on accidents and costs with other Authorities. 

It was noted that there had been a continuous trend in the reduction of reported accidents, especially those resulting in ‘major’ injuries.  Compared to the other Local Authorities in the benchmarking exercise whose expenditure per employee exceeded £20+, Halton provided the lowest costing health and safety service at £8.62 per employee.  Putting these two pieces of information together provided a very positive result for the Council.

Reference was also made to the ‘Lord Young’ report that had been recently published which revealed the growth of the compensation culture within Britain, and recommended restrictions on the ‘no win, no fee’ type of companies, who represented health and safety in an adverse way.  In addition it proposed a common sense approach to Health and Safety.  This approach was already in place in Halton.

It was noted that the success in the reduction of accidents was down to team efforts from all Council staff, Members and Trade Unions, who had embraced their own health and safety responsibilities as well as the teams and departments they were in.  It was also noted that good health and safety practice saved the Council money in the long run as a result of reduction in accidents, claims, and the need to employ temporary cover for key absences.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

The Board received the Annual Complaints Report for Corporate Complaints, Adult Social Care Complaints and Children and Young People Complaints for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010, from the Strategic Director, Resources.

The report provided an analysis on complaints processed under all three of the Council’s Complaints Procedure during 2009/10. 

It also informed the Board about the proposed introduction of a Vexatious Complaints Policy, which would help the Council effectively manage a minority of complaints deemed to be of a vexatious nature.  This draft policy was attached as appendix 2 for consideration.

Following discussion it was confirmed that legal advice would always be available to officers if needed during a complaints investigation, and that the corporate caution list was regularly monitored and updated.

RESOLVED:  That

1)     The report be accepted; and

2)     The Board agreed that the draft Vexatious Complaints Policy be reported to the Executive Board for consideration and approval.