Agenda item

County Councillor Prynn and other Elected Members

To note feedback from work undertaken by the Chair of the Board and our Elected Members as part of their role on the CPB, including Member visits carried out since the last meeting.

CC Prynn

CC Prynn reported that she had been carrying out work on policies for CLA especially around care leavers.  Currently there is no policy on what the Authority offers care leavers and what they are guaranteed to receive when they leave care, therefore this is resulting in inconsistencies across this area.  CC Prynn is looking to set up a Task and Finish Group to devise a policy which will set out information on what is offered.  Guidance on the Leaving Care Grant needs to be included in the policy, so that young people in secure settings, have access to the grant when they leave that setting.  CC Prynn invited Elected Members of the Board to be on the Task and Finish Group.

Action:  Elected Members to email CC Prynn if they wish to be on the Task and Finish Group.

At Full Council on 25 February 2016, CC Prynn submitted a notice of motion for this Council to call on the Government to amend the Children and Families Act 2014 to enable all children in residential care to stay under the care of the Local Authority until 21 years of age.  It was agreed that, as this Motion had received unanimous, cross-party support, the letter to be sent by the Chief Executive to the Secretary of State would be signed by each of the political group leaders.  A letter has now been sent to Edward Timpson, Minister of State for Children and Families at Department for Education.

A complaint had been received from a young person at Bowerham Road

Residential Unit.  The associated complaint investigation report is still outstanding however actions have been undertaken and the young person concerned appears to be happy with the outcome when asked about this at a recent event.  As a result of such actions, CC Prynn has requested information from officers on relevant legislation and government guidance to clarify the position of 16/17 year olds who are placed in supported accommodation from residential homes by staff.

CC Prynn attended a Safeguarding Conference in Manchester and discussed with a lead member of the LGA opportunities for aiding the work of the CPB through possible workshops and consultancy.

Thanks were also expressed to all involved with the PROUD awards including the young people and the success it was on the evening.

CC Brindle

CC Brindle attended the PROUD awards which were held on 4 March 2016 as Chairman of the County Council.  She reported on what a fantastic evening it had been and the achievements of the young people who won awards were phenomenal.  CC Brindle thanked all the young people who had attended the awards.

It was also noted that CC Brindle had attended a number of events organised by the sea and army cadets and encouraged the young people to look at joining these groups.

CC Gibson

CC Gibson is Lead Member for Community Safety, and they are currently looking at the Hate Crime Strategy.  Lancashire Police are taking this forward and working with partners.  A copy of the strategy is attached.  If anybody has any comments on this, they can email CC Gibson direct at julie.gibson@lancashire.gov.uk.