Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Watson (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Bradwell

Recommendations:

1.    That two councillors be required to sit on hearings of the Adoption Panel and Fostering Panel.

2.    That Councillors Allen and Elliot be appointed to the Adoption Panel.

3.    That Councillors Cusworth and M. Elliott be appointed to the Fostering Panel.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed how that, until 31^st March, 2011, it had been a legal requirement for local authority Adoption and Fostering Panels to include at least one Elected Member.  Amendments made to the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 and the introduction of the new regulations, namely the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 that governed Adoption and Fostering Panels, meant that this legal requirement was no longer imposed upon relevant local authorities.

Following continued improvement of the Authority’s governance arrangements and services for children, young people and families, it was considered appropriate to review the level of Councillor involvement with both the Adoption Panel and Fostering Panel.

It was considered that corporate parenting would be enhanced by the appointment of two Councillors each to both Panels.

Commissioner Kenny agreed:-  (1)  That two Councillors be required to sit on hearings of the Adoption Panel and Fostering Panel.

(2)  That Councillors M. Elliott and J. Elliot be appointed to the Adoption Panel.

(3)  That Councillors Cusworth and Senior be appointed to the Fostering Panel.