Combined Executive Agenda 120410.pdf - North Ayrshire Council

1.4 The proposals highlighted in the consultation paper reflected the
National Convener's vision and commitment to provide consistent,
adequate and high quality support to panel members to achieve
national consistency and share existing good practice and learning.
Above and beyond that is the firm belief that the new streamlined
arrangements will ultimately benefit the children themselves, wherever
they are, whatever their circumstances, needs and aspirations might
be. The consultation was intended for, and sent out to, all those who
have an involvement with, or interest in, the Children's Hearings
system i.e. local authorities, Children's Panel Advisory Committees
and chairs, members, clerks and Panel chairs.
1.5 Having considered the report, the Executive agreed (a) to note the
proposals for the establishment of an Area Support Team covering the
three Ayrshire local authorities; (b) to approve the proposed response
to the consultation document as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;
(c) that the Council, in association with the other 2 Ayrshire authorities
or otherwise, indicate its support in principle for the proposals; (d) to
authorise officers to hold discussions with the National Convener and
Ayrshire authorities in terms of the proposed Service Level Agreement
(SLA) (between the authority and CHS) and the financial, staffing, and
operational issues arising from the establishment of an Ayrshire AST;
and (e) to receive a further report at a future meeting.
1.6 Following the meeting, North Ayrshire Council's response was
despatched to the National Convener. East and South Ayrshire
Council's also submitted their own responses to the consultation
document, which indicated their support in principle for the formation
of an Ayrshire Area Support Team.
2. Current Position
2.1 At the end of the consultation period some 67 responses were
received by the National Convener. Details of all responses were
published on the CHS website.
2.2 The National Convener published her report on the outcome of the
consultation in November 2011. The report noted that overall, local
authorities were split into three broad categories: those who supported
the proposals in principle subject to further discussions with the
National Convener; those who disagreed with the proposals; and
those who would welcome clarification from the National Convener on
a number of issues before making a decision.
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