Decision details

(a)  Control of Local Bus Services

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to;

(a) Welcome the increased focus on improving local bus services;

(b) Build on the success of the current Devon Enhanced Partnership by closer working with Torbay Council and other strategic partners through the new Combined Authority; and

(c) Ask Officers to review content of the Buses Bill currently proceeding through Parliament to see what future options are available for the new Combined Authority.

(b)  Children's Social Care Policy Statement

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to;

(a) Note that on the 17th December 2024, the Government published the “Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill” which sets out the proposed legislative framework for achieving these changes. A specific focus of the policy statement and the bill is the management of and improvements to the care market for children in care and, as such, requests a Report from the Director of Children and Young People’s Futures on the implications of the measures contained within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill;

(b) Note and welcome that over the last 12 months, Children’s Services have increased the provision of residential care for children (both respite care for children with disabilities and mainstream children’s home provision) and of supported accommodation for care experienced people;

(c) Welcome the ongoing work with local providers to improve relationships and to provide “Devon Placements for Devon’s Children”, noting the specific focus on reducing the use of unregistered children’s homes;

(d) Welcome the new powers for Ofsted to investigate multiple homes being run by the same company, acting on the recommendations made in response to stop abuse from happening in children’s homes;

(e) Continue to improve the residential care opportunities in Devon to keep children in care near families, friends, and their school where appropriate;

(f) Increase the number of in-house residential care facilities and use not-for-profit providers, and, become involved in the setting up of Regional Care Co-operatives;

(g) Continue to reduce the number of children in unregistered children’s homes; and

(h) Where possible, provide or use not-for-profit homes where children and care experienced young people have access to properly trained staff who are able to give them the support, skills, and connections to friends and relatives that will continue to support them throughout their life.