Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources which gave Members an opportunity to contribute to the development of Directorate Business Plans for the coming financial year.

The Board was advised 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 2012-2015 was just beginning. 

The Board was further advised that at this stage members were invited to identify a small number of priorities for development or improvement (possibly 3-5) that they would like to see reflected within those plans. Suggested proposals included:

·        Integration of Public Health;

·        Review of Homelessness Services;

·        Care Closer to Home; and

·        Safeguarding & Dignity

It was reported that Strategic Directors would then develop draft plans which would be available for consideration by Policy and Performance Boards early in the New Year.

It was noted that plans could only be finalised once budget decisions had been confirmed in March and that some target information may need to be reviewed as a result of final outturn data becoming available post March 2012.

The report also detailed the timeframe for plan preparation, development and endorsement.

The following areas were agreed as priorities for development or improvement:-

·        Integration of Public Health (to include Healthwatch and the Health & Well Being Board);

·        Review of Homelessness Services: and

·        Care Closer to Home (to include the prevention of accidents).

It was suggested that Adult Mental Health Services be included as a priority.  In response, it was reported that a report would be presented to the January meeting of the Board on the re-design of services across the 5 Borough Partnership,

RESOLVED: That

(1)                     the report and comments raised be noted:

(2)          the priority three areas identified above be agreed for development or improvement in the Directorate Business Plans 2012-15.