None, all members of Cabinet were present.

None were declared.

RESOLVED (unanimously):
That subject to the inclusion of Councillor Mrs Snape being included as present, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2017 be approved as a correct record.
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The Leader in addressing the meeting and presenting the report indicated that this item had also been considered by the Scrutiny Committee last night and a note of that meeting had been circulated. In respect of point 4 of the note, the meeting was advised that this should refer to the ?Residents? Survey. The strategy was a key action in the Council?s Improvement Plan and provided a framework on the way it communicated with staff, elected members, partners, resident, businesses, developers, investors and other stakeholders. It would be an evolving document during the year.

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In response to an enquiry relating to ST17 allowing staff access to social media channels, it was confirmed this did not recommend staff actively used social media but would be able to view the information.

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RESOLVED (unanimously):
that subject to the amendment of the period of the strategy document to read 2017-18, the Communication Strategy attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

The Leader introduced this report which asked the Cabinet to consider its draft Terms of Reference and Procedure Rules which would be further considered by the Governance Committee.

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RESOLVED (unanimously):
that the draft Terms of Reference and Procedure Rules attached at Appendices B1 and B2 to the report be submitted to the Governance Committee for further consideration.
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The Leader presented the report and indicated that this item had also been considered by the Scrutiny Committee last night and a note of that meeting had been circulated. The strategy was a key action in the Council?s Improvement Plan and seen as very important to take the council forward. Whilst replacing the existing People Plan and Member Development Plan, it had wider scope including links to other documents (such as Communications Strategy), actions to ensure the council had effective systems and processes in place to achieve its priorities.

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The Leader had met with the Member Development Champions (Councillors Ms Bell and Mrs Snape) to look at addressing a lack of support/development for members along with other aspects they were looking at that would benefit members. Section 5.5 of the report proposed the re-introduction of an annual member survey which was felt to be an important addition to the staff survey.

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RESOLVED (unanimously):
that the principles and supporting activities as set out in Section 5.4 and 5.5 of the report be approved for inclusion in the council?s emerging Organisational Development Strategy.

The Leader addressed the meeting and indicated that this item had also been considered by the Scrutiny Committee last night and a note of that meeting had been circulated. The council had a duty to make arrangements to ensure its functions were carried out with regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

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It was felt this was a positive way forward and was pleasing to see representatives from the Safeguarding Board at the scrutiny meeting. It appeared that the approach to safeguarding was developing moving locally/nationally to new/different level with larger documents.

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In respect of safeguarding training, it was suggested this should be required for all staff and that elected members through their group leaders be encouraged to be aware of and take part in safeguarding training. In respect of this being required training for elected members, the Leader commented that in his position he would ensure all members of his group were actively involved. Whilst it might be difficult to make this required training, it was something he was seriously considering.

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RESOLVED (unanimously): that the Council be recommended to approve:-
1. the draft South Ribble Council Children Act 2004 Section 11 Self-Assessment (Appendix A to the report); and
2. subject to (1) above the Self-Assessment be approved for submission to the Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board before the deadline of 31 March 2017.
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RESOLVED (unanimously): that the Forward Plan submitted under Section 22 of the Local Government Act 2000 be approved.