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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: To authorise members of the inquiry team to decide on the amendments to be accepted, and whether any further amendments are required, prior to the report being submitted to Cabinet.
No apologies for absence were received.
No declarations of interest in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct were received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To authorise members of the inquiry team to decide on the amendments to be accepted, and whether any further amendments are required, prior to the report being submitted to Cabinet.
The Chair introduced the item, which was for Members to consider the draft report of the Task and Finish group inquiry on the Council’s support for residents with the cost of living. Members were advised that amendment requests had been requested by relevant members of the Executive and were detailed in Appendix 2 of the report. The Chair invited Cllr Lewis to make a statement, during which she expressed the gratitude of the inquiry team to all stakeholders who engaged with the team’s work, and to the advice teams for their work, as well as her personal thanks to the members of the inquiry team. Members were advised that the group made recommendations around the internal decision-making process, security of staff employment, the local model, increasing work with externals, strengthening mental health support, and widening provision of assistance. Members were invited to make comments, and the discussion is summarised below. Members commended the report and expressed themselves content with the amendments, with the exception of the following: · Members suggested the amendment to Key Finding 2 be altered to include a statement that the team recognise that due to the Council’s budget deficit external funding may be required. · Members expressed concern about the addition of the words ‘2-3 hours waiting for specialist advice’ in Key Finding 11 and suggested it should read ‘2-3 hours wait’ without reference to specialist advice. · Members sought clarification on the possibility of establishing a Neighbourhood Partnership allowing partners to share information and knowledge of local support, referred to in Recommendation 8. Members were advised that it was to strengthen engagement with external partners, who had expressed a desire for more support in promoting the services they offer. The point was made that external partner organisations often have a relationship of trust with service users in particular communities. · Members expressed the view that there should be a recommendation to set targets to reduce waiting times, either by virtual sessions or strengthening work with external partner organisations. · Members suggested a recommendation be added on ensuring diversity within the workforce to promote and strengthen engagement with different communities. RESOLVED: To authorise members of the inquiry team to decide on the amendments to be accepted, and whether any further amendments are required, prior to the report being submitted to Cabinet.
There were no urgent items.
The next meeting will be on Monday 27th of February at 2pm.
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