The Chair introduced his report that set out the process of developing and managing the scrutiny work programme for the Municipal Year. The report informed Children and Families Overview & Scrutiny Committee, in cooperation with the other three Overview and Scrutiny Committees, was responsible for proposing and delivering an annual scrutiny work programme. He informed that the work programme should align with the corporate priorities of the Council, in particular the delivery of the Wirral Plan pledges that were within the remit of the Committee.

The Committee noted that it was envisaged that the work programme will be formed from a combination of scrutiny reviews, standing items and requested officer reports. The report provided the Committee with an opportunity to plan and regularly review its work across the municipal year. Some initial ideas for a work programme, based on issues which were of interest to members of the former People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, were attached as an appendix to the report.

The Chair highlighted a number of key points pertinent to his report, namely:

• Further work was required to define a full work programme for the year. The Chair and Spokespersons will consider how best to do that prior to the next Committee meeting in September;

• Nominations were required for the Statutory Care Plan Task and Finish Group;

• Reality Check visits – the proposed process and propose an initial visit to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH);

• Members had previously requested that a workshop be held to determine an appropriate relationship between scrutiny and the Local Safeguarding Children Board. It was proposed to hold a workshop during the summer; and

• A joint workshop with members of the Adult Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny was proposed to scrutinise emerging proposals for the All-age disability and mental health services. It was proposed to hold a workshop during the summer.

Recommended – That

(1)  the proposed Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2017/18 be approved;

(2)  nominations for the Chair and membership of the Task and Finish Group for the Statutory Care Plan scrutiny review be provided to Committee Services and/or Scrutiny Support;

(3)  the establishment of a programme of Reality Check Visits to form part of the Committee’s annual work programme be agreed, commencing with a visit to the MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub);

(4)  the proposal to establish a Members’ workshop to determine a more effective working relationship with the Local Safeguarding Children Board be noted;

(5)  delegated authority be given to the Chair, Vice Chair and Spokespersons to give further detailed consideration to the Committee’s work programme prior to the next scheduled Committee meeting in September; and

(6)  delegated authority be given to the Chair, Vice Chair and Spokespersons of both the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Adult Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to:

(i)  make arrangements to hold an appropriate workshop to scrutinise proposals for the all-age disability and mental health service; and

(ii)  if necessary, to approve and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10