Decision details

The Committee considered a report on the Child Care Advocacy Strategy and business plan introduced by Philip Baker.

Witnesses:

Philip Baker, Assistant Chief Executive (ESCC ) and Interim Head of Orbis Public Law 

Rachel Crossley, Director of Strategy Commissioning (SCC) 

Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorgis, Executive Lead Officer, Strategy Governance and Law (BHCC)

Tony Kershaw, Director of Law and Assurance (WSCC)

Andrea Kilby, Business Development Manager (OPL)

Susan Smyth, Head of Strategic Finance

Key Points:

1)    Philip Baker set out that the report was a response to a request at a previous committee meeting, The strategy sets out a number of measures underway to collectively manage the demand.  It highlighted the advantages of using in-house advocates in relation to child care proceedings.  He also informed the Committee of a recent recruitment of an advocate, but that OPL had hoped to appoint more than one candidate.  Officers continue to explore joint recruitment.

2)    Philip Baker explained that the courts were also content with the greater familiarity with cases of the in-house advocate, which led to fewer case management hearings overall and a greater efficiency throughout the system.  OPL contributes to the Court Users Groups, to assist the judiciary and administration with maximising efficient use of court time, and the roll out of the Digital Court programme was highlighted.

3)    The Committee commented on the difference in pension contributions between the partner authorities. It was clarified that staff pay the same contribution to pensions, it is the employers rate that accounts for this difference.

4)    The Framework for securing the best price for when external advice or representation is ne being developed,

RESOLUTIONS

The Joint Committee RESOLVED to approve the Child Care Advocacy Strategy and Business Plan, and endorse the approach to reducing expenditure on external counsel to represent OPL authorities in child care proceedings.