Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFpwBLs6MnUzG0WjejrQtQ .

County Service

The Chairman reminded members that he would be hosting the County Service on Sunday 1^st October at St. Mary de Castro Church. All members had been invited.

Remembrance

On Friday 10^th November the Chairman, along with the Lord-Lieutenant and the Leader, would be leading the County Council’s tributes at the annual Remembrance Service at Stand Easy. At the last meeting the Chairman mentioned Armed Forces Week which acknowledged all those serving in the Armed Forces, but it was equally important to reflect and remember all those people who had given their lives for our Country. The Chairman hoped that as many members as possible would join him.

Leicestershire County Cricket Club

Members joined with the Chairman in congratulating Leicestershire County Cricket Club for winning their first one-day final for 38 years.  They beat Hampshire by two runs to lift the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Trent Bridge after wicketkeeper Harry Swindells had marked his first appearance in this season’s competition with a magnificent unbeaten 117 - his first century in limited-overs cricket.

It was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Orson and carried:

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5 July 2023, copies of which have been circulated to members, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.”

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to make declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

(A)    Mr Bray asked the following question of the Leader or his nominee:

“I have had a number of representations from residents in my division about holiday provision for disabled children in the Leicestershire County Council area.

In the email the residents say:

Holiday Clubs provided during the school holidays offer children the chance to meet other children, socialise, increase social and learning skills and try out new hobbies and have fun.

For the families of disabled children, holiday clubs also provide the opportunity for parents to have a break from their caring responsibilities and spend time with their other children. In addition, they help disabled children to manage the transition back to the new school term.

However, families with disabled children too often find there is a lack of holiday club provision that can meet their child or family’s needs, leaving them without support or fun activities over the holiday period, creating further pressure for the whole family, families who often live stressful and isolated lives.

New research from the Disabled Children's Partnership has found that the majority of families with disabled children (81%) would like a holiday club for their disabled child during the six-week break: 40% to enable them to work and 77% so their child can socialise with other children.

But just 10% have found something suitable and only 4% of everyone surveyed said they’d found something for the days and hours they need.

The parents and grandparents of the children are asking that the County Council carry out an audit of holiday provision in the Leicestershire County Council area to see how well it meets the needs of families with disabled children and take steps to address any shortfall. Would the Leader commit to undertake to do this and report the findings to all members?”

Mrs Taylor replied as follows:

“The County Council is committed to ensuring children with disabilities and their families are supported during school term time and school holidays with inclusive activities that support their play and leisure, progression within their ability, as well as offering an opportunity for parents to have a break from their caring duties for those children whereby time away from their parents is age appropriate and enhances their identity, self-esteem, learning and development. This area comes under our short breaks offer.

There are many clubs and activities available across Leicestershire in the local offer, there is a local offer Facebook page that advertises opportunities. There is a nominal fee for parents and carers to access these resources as a personal choice across the year including the summer school term holiday. Disability allowances can also be used.

Whilst we will not undertake an audit of holiday provision, as part of our commitment to improving opportunities we are currently reviewing our short breaks provision across Leicestershire and we are working closely with the SEND parent carer hub, gaining parents voice to create more choice and opportunity for the use of direct payments, and local short breaks provision year-round and during school term breaks. A survey for parents/carers in receipt of short breaks has recently closed. We are currently reviewing the responses which will help to shape support in the future for children and their families.

Children who meet the threshold for assessment and services across the Child and Family Wellbeing Service or Social Care Children’s Disability Service are offered an assessment of need for short breaks and additional parenting/carer advice and support in line with needs. We know there is a higher number of providers of specialist support in the north of the County compared with the south. We  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Leader gave a position statement on the following matters:

·       Trading Standards work at East Midlands Airport;

·       Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Firefighters in Morocco;

·       Bradgate Park;

·       Devolution;

·       Ministerial Visit;

·       Medium Term Financial Strategy;

·       RAAC Update: Schools and County Council Buildings;

·       Electric Vehicle Chargepoints in Leicestershire;

·       CaseworkerGov Software.

The Cabinet Lead Member for Children and Family Services gave a position statement on the following matters:

·       Family Hubs;

·       Change Programme Partnerships SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan;

·       Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children;

·       Story Book.

The Cabinet Lead Member for Health gave a position statement on the following matters:

·       Homelessness;

·       COVID;

·       The NHS;

·       Smoking.

The Cabinet Lead Member for Community and Staff Relations gave a position statement on the Communities Annual Report and a Digital Update.

A copy of the position statements is filed with these minutes.

“Bearing in mind the time, money and effort expended by the County Council starting in the early 1980s this Council urges the Department for Transport and Network Rail to reconsider its decision not to restore a passenger service between Leicester and Coalville and Ashby.”

Mr Bill sought and obtained the consent of the Council to move an altered motion.

It was moved by Mr Bill, seconded by Mr Mullaney and carried unanimously:

“Bearing in mind the time, money and effort expended by the County Council starting in the early 1980s, the work of the Campaign for re-opening the Ivanhoe Line and the support from the Government’s Restore Your Railway Fund, this Council urges the Department for Transport and Network Rail to reconsider its decision not to restore a passenger service between Leicester and Coalville and Ashby.”