To receive apologies for absence from Members of the Committee

83.1    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cecilia Motley and Kevin Turley and from Sian Lines (Hereford Diocese).

83.2    There were no substitutions

Members are reminded they must not participate in the discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

84.1    There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.

84.2    Councillor Ruth Houghton advised the committee that she was a trustee of a charity which provided services for adults with learning difficulties

The confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 10 December 2020 and the 27 January 2021. (Minutes to Follow)

Contact Tim Ward  Tel: 01743 257713

85.1    RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the People Overview Committee held on 10 December 2020 and the 27 January 2021 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 10.00am on Monday 1 March 2021

86.1    There were no questions from members of the public

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice.

Deadline for notification: 10.00am on Monday 1 March 2021

87.1    There were no questions from Members

Report of the Drug and Alcohol Strategic Commissioner is attached

Contact Jayne Randall  Tel: 01743 253979

88.1    Members received the report of the Drug and Alcohol Strategic Commissioner which provided an overview of the work of the Young Peoples Substance Misuse Service and the level of vulnerabilities that they work with.

88.2    The Drug and Alcohol Strategic Commissioner informed the meeting that the service was provided by “We Are With You” (Formerly Addaction) and that there service provided help to young people up to the age of 18 or 21 where there were other needs.  She added that the service primarily was one of prevention as the majority of young people that accessed the service were not dependent on drugs or alcohol.

88.3    The Drug and Alcohol Strategic Commissioner advised Members that the number of young people accessing the service had increased which was against national trends but was due to the introduction of the “SMARTER” screening tool in 2017.

88.4    The Drug and Alcohol Strategic Commissioner advised that there were currently two work streams being carried out as part of wider strategic planning to prevent problematic drug and alcohol issues –

·         work around the “hidden harm” agenda focussed on children and young people who may be affected by parental substance misuse and

·         a review of the drug and alcohol school policy with particular emphasis on safeguarding and exploitation.

88.5    A member expressed concern at the growth of heroin use by young people under 18. Members were advised that whilst there were only small numbers of under 18s using heroin there was concern that use increasing and that the situation should be closely monitored.

88.6.   In response to a question regarding how the service worked with CAMHS, Members were advised that there was a joint working protocol and that each service had leads which liaised closely and that this was unique to Shropshire.

88.7    In response to a question regarding whether there was anything local councillors could do to help the service, members were advised that there was a role for councillors and parish councillors to raise awareness  and that officer would be happy to give presentations to Parish and Town councils about their work

88.8    With regards to a question regarding how the service worked with the Safeguarding Partnership  Members were advised that drug & alcohol was a key priority of the Partnership and that the service was involved with both the drug & alcohol working group and exploitation group.

88.9    In response to a question regarding the increase in referrals, Members were advised that the increase  did not necessarily reflect an increase in the use of drugs and alcohol as the multi-agency work now being carried out was picking up cases that previously had fallen through the net.

88.10  The Chair thanked officers for their report and for all the good work that they were doing.

88.11  RESOLVED:

            That Committee Members note the contents of the report and the service available to support young people and their families in Shropshire

Report of the Director of Children’s Services is the follow

Contact  Karen Bradshaw, Tel: 01743 254201

89.1    Members received the report of the Director of Children’s Services and the Director of Adult Services which provided an overview of the respite care that Shropshire Council offers, funds and commissions for carers of children, young people and adults.

89.2    Members were advised that there were a number of services available for carers both on a planned and emergency basis.

89.3    In response to a question Members were advised that there were in the region of 90 children that accessed services using direct payments and that often a mixture of provision was accessed, and that within Adult Services approximately 15% of users used direct payments.

89.4    in response to a question regarding the work undertaken with families with older children to  signpost them to respite services available as they transition to adult services, Members were advised that transition planning starts at age 14 with the Preparing for Adulthood Team working with the families. Members were informed that there was work ongoing to develop an accreditation process for providers that provide services to both children and adults.

89.5    RESOLVED:

            That Members note the report

            That a report be brought to a future meeting of the Committee updating them on progress with the service.

To consider a resolution under paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules that the proceedings of the Committee in relation to the following agenda Items shall not be conducted in public on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the categories specified against them.

90.1    RESOLVED:

That according to paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules the proceedings of the Committee in relation to the following agenda Items shall not be conducted in public on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the categories specified against them

To consider the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 30th September 2020. [To follow]

Contact Amanda Holyoak  Tel 01743 257714

91.1    RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting of the People Overview Committee held on 30 September 2020 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman