Apologies for absence and attendance of alternate members.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Cllr Frost, Cllr White and Cllr Davies.  Cllr Gander attended as a substitute for Cllr Davies.

Cllr Dudley reported that as the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) operated with an executive model he had been advised that the RBWM representative on the joint committee had to be an executive member, Cllr Stimson would be replaced with an executive member.

Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests and

any other non-pecuniary interests (personal interests) relevant to items on

this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest received. 

To consider and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2018.

Resolved unanimously: that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2018 be approved.

Members of the public may ask questions or make representations.

Notice of questions or representations to be submitted must be received by 12 noon on Friday 21^st June 2019. Please email to Shilpa.manek@rbwm.gov.uk

No questions received.

Members to note the change in membership of the Achieving for Children Joint Committee.

The current membership was noted.

The Joint Committee notes the progress that has been made in implementing the recommendations made in the Achieving for Children governance review.

The Joint Committee considered the latest update on implementing the governance review.

After discussing report the Joint Committee agreed all the recommendations.  Particular attention was given to recommendation 2.3 regarding establishing meetings between the chairman of the Board of Directors and key stakeholders. 

Resolved unanimously: that the Joint Committee notes the progress that has been made implementing the recommendations made in the Achieving for Children governance review.  

a.    Joint Committee approves the framework for the five-year Business Plan for Achieving for Children, 2019 to 2024.

b.    Joint Committee approves the proposed priorities for the business plan subject to further engagement with the Councils and partner organisations.

c.     Joint Committee notes that the final business plan will be presented at its meeting in September 2019 for approval as required by Reserved Matter 9.  

The committee considered the report that asked the Joint Committee to approve the framework for the five-year business plan for Achieving for Children, from 2019 to 2024.

The Joint Committee were informed that there had been a review of the current business plan and the proposed new plan for 2019 to 2024 reflected the need to clearly demonstrate how the company would develop over the next five years to the shared benefit of the three owning Councils, but also set out how it would deliver the specific requirements and priorities of each Council, recognising the increasing need to differentiate how children’s services are delivered for each Council.

The plan presented at this meeting remained a work in progress and would be brought back to a future meeting and thus there was still time to make required amendments. 

The Chairman mentioned that there was a need to raise concern to national government around areas such as unaccompanied asylum seekers, SEND and how children’s services were funded.   It was agreed that the owners would jointly write to  Conservative and Liberal Democrats leadership candidates about these pressures.

Resolved unanimously: that the:

(a) Joint Committee approves the framework for the five-year Business Plan for

Achieving for Children, from 2019 to 2024.

(b) Joint Committee approves the proposed priorities for the business plan subject

to further engagement with the Councils and partner organisations.

(c) Joint Committee notes that the final business plan will be presented at its

meeting on 9 September 2019 for approval as required by Reserved Matter 13.

(d) A letter is sent to the Conservative and Liberal Democrats leadership contenders regarding funding concerns.   

The Joint Committee are requested to:

a)    Note the contents of this report,

b)    Consider the review of the share of the Revolving Credit Facility (paragraph 4), and

c)    Approve Treasury Plan as set out in the Appendix to this report.

The Joint Committee considered the reserved matter regarding for the approval of the AFC’s Treasury Plan.

Members were informed that the Treasury Plan for AfC was a band three reserved

matter that was delegated to the Joint Committee for decision. The Plan was approved annually and when events required a review. The Plan was last

reviewed and approved by the Joint Committee in March 2018.  The only change was in section 4.3 regarding the percentage of shares.

It was noted that there had been no change to investments. 

Resolved unanimously: that the Joint Committee:

a)    Note the contents of this report,

b) Considered the review of the share of the Revolving Credit Facility

(paragraph 4), and

c) Approved the Treasury Plan as set out in the Appendix to this report.

The Joint Committee notes the reserved decisions that have been taken since

November 2018 and notes the update on Achieving for Children’s Independent Fostering Agency and Voluntary Adoption Agency.

The Joint Committee considered the report that provided a summary of the reserved decisions that had been taken by the member Councils as the joint owners as Achieving for Children, and also provided an update on other ownership issues.

Resolved unanimously:  that the report be noted along with the reserved decisions that have been taken since November 2018 and notes the update on Achieving for Children’s Independent Fostering Agency and Voluntary Adoption Agency.

Members to note.

Item withdrawn.

The Joint Committee notes the income generated by Achieving for Children through its business development activities, and the potential opportunities to generate further income in 2019/20.

The Joint Committee considered the latest trading update that provided information on income generated from business development since 1 April 2018. It also set out the funding that had been identified from grant funders or business opportunities, as well as pipeline opportunities.

It was noted that there were plans to appoint a new officer to help with fundraising from grants and foundations who would help increase funding opportunities but would not be in competition with voluntary organisations. It was agreed that there should be a press release about raising funds and working with voluntary organisation to help support children and young people.

Resolved unanimously: that the:

 (a) Joint Committee approves the framework for the five-year Business Plan for Achieving for Children, from 2019 to 2024.

(b) Joint Committee approves the proposed priorities for the business plan subject to further engagement with the Councils and partner organisations.

(c) Joint Committee notes that the final business plan will be presented at its

meeting on 9 September 2019 for approval as required by Reserved Matter 13.

Members to note.

The Joint Committee noted that Kingston Upon Thames and Richmond Upon Thames contract with AFC was due to be renewed in the spring of 2021 and thus commissioning negotiations had started.  RBWM’s renewal was due in 2024.

The Joint Committee to raise any other business.

There was no other business raised.

The Joint Committee to note the dates of future meetings:

Monday 9 December 2019 – 11.30am – York House, Windsor

It was noted that the next meeting was due to take place in Windsor.