A report by the Chair of the Families and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee, provided background information on the report of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Review (appended to it), which had been approved by the Families and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee and referred to Cabinet for further consideration. 

Councillor Phil Davies informed the Cabinet that he considered this review to be an important piece of scrutiny and that the work carried out by the Task and Finish Group (Councillors Wendy Clements, Walter Smith and Pat Williams) had been exemplary.

Councillor Wendy Clements, Chair of the Families and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee was in attendance at the meeting and proceeded to introduce the very detailed report drawing attention to its 25 recommendations.  She informed the Cabinet that it was imperative that every part of the Council should strive to improve the aspirations of its looked after children.

Councillor Tony Smith told the Cabinet that the Looked After Children Scrutiny Review was an excellent piece of work that brought home how important it was to be involved with the children, to know what they were doing and to obtain the best possible outcomes for them.  He considered it very important for the Task and Finish Group to revisit its recommendations in twelve months time and for the Cabinet to receive a further report to assist it to monitor the progress made on the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

(1)  the Scrutiny Task and Finish Group be thanked for its report and it be congratulated on this excellent example of effective scrutiny;

(2)  all the recommendations set out in the Outcomes for Looked After Children Scrutiny Review Final Report be accepted;

(3)  a progress report be requested for the Cabinet to consider in twelve months time; and

(4)  a Seminar be arranged for all Members of the Council to discuss the report and its recommendations.