(Councillor Ballsdon was unable to attend in person, so attended and contributed remotely via Microsoft Teams, but did not vote on any of the items, in line with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972)

The Chair announced that engagement work was being undertaken by the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care Board (ICB) to re-procure its Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) contract.  The ICB was currently undertaking a six-week programme of engagement talking to current service users and their families/carers to learn  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Members of the Youth Council will present the revised Youth Council Constitution and inform the Committee about their current work.

The Committee received a report providing an overview on how the Youth Council was operated and the various roles and responsibilities of different positions within the Youth Council. A copy of the refreshed Reading Youth Council Constitution was appended to the report. The reviewed constitution clarified the roles, responsibilities, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in relation to the items for consideration.

Councillor Cresswell declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 on the basis that he worked in alternative provision in education.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Health and Wellbeing Board – 14 July 2023.

The Minutes of the following meetings were received:

·         Health and Wellbeing Board – 14 July 2023.

Questions submitted pursuant to Standing Order 36 in relation to matters falling within the Committee’s Powers & Duties which have been submitted in writing and received by the Head of Legal & Democratic Services no later than four clear working days before the meeting.

Two questionson the following matters were submitted by Councillor Cresswell.

The full text of the questions and replies were made available on the Reading Borough Council website.

The Committee will receive an update from the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care Board on access to dental care and advice.

The Committee received a report from Hugh O’Keefe, Senior Programme Manager, Pharmacy, Optometry and Dental, Buckingham, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board on NHS dental services in Reading.

The report explained that on 1 July 2022 the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care Board had taken on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The Committee will receive an update on Sexual Health Services.

The Committee received a presentation from Martin White, Consultant in Public Health, Reading Borough Council; Rachel Smart, Lead Nurse, Florey Clinic, Royal Berkshire Hospital Foundation Trust; Alan Tang, Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV, Florey Clinic, Royal Berkshire Hospital Foundation Trust on the integrated sexual health service in Reading.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

A report providing information on the Youth Justice Annual Plan 2023/24.

The Committee received a report on the Youth Justice Plan 2023-24.  The report explained that the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and a condition of the Youth Justice Board Grant, had placed a duty on the Local Authority to produce an annual Plan.  The Plan had been produced and signed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

A report providing the Committee with update on actions being taken to prevent and reduce exclusions and suspensions.

The Committee received a report providing an update on actions being taken to prevent and reduce exclusions and suspensions and an overview of suspensions and permanent exclusions.

The report provided information on the learning of local and national research into steps to reduce exclusions and increase support for children and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The following motion will be moved by the Chair:

“That, pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following item on the agenda, as it is likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act”

Resolved -

That pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of items 19and 20 below as it was likely that there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 specified  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The Committee considered a report on the sufficiency of placements for children and young people. 

Resolved –   That the information and the steps being taken by Brighter Futures for Children Ltd, as outlined in the restricted report, to improve the sufficiency of placements for children and young people be agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The Committee received a report providing findings from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

Resolved -    That the action against the recommendations made by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) be noted.

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 2)