Decision

MOTION A - Maximising Pupil Premium and Protecting Vulnerable Children through Free School Meal Auto-Enrolment.

Councillor Leigh Redman proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Heather Shearer.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

·       Request that the Executive and relevant officers designed and implemented an "opt-out" automatic registration system for Free School Meals by utilising existing Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit data systems.

·       Ensure that any system implemented fully complied with GDPR and data protection regulations by utilising a "dignified notification" process, where eligible families were automatically registered and sent a letter giving them the clear, hassle-free opportunity to opt-out if they chose.

·       Work collaboratively with Somerset schools, academy trusts, and software providers to ensure smooth data-sharing and integration.

·       Request that the Children and Education Scrutiny Committee received an implementation plan within six months, tracking both the number of newly registered children and progress against the 'Best Start in Life' educational achievement metrics.

MOTION B - Financial Management and Accountability following the CIPFA Financial Management Review

Councillor Dawn Denton proposed the original recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Diogo Rodrigues.

Councillor Mike Hewitson proposed an amendment to the recommendations, which was seconded by Councillor Tim Kerley.  Council voted and the amendment was carried and became the substantive Motion (for full details of the amendment, please see the minutes).

Councillor Dawn Denton proposed the substantive Motion, which was seconded by Councillor Diogo Rodrigues.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

1. Request that the Audit Committee received periodic progress reports on the implementation of the CIPFA Financial Management Review recommendations and the Financial Management Improvement Plan, supported by clearly defined objectives, milestones and performance measures to enable Members to assess whether sufficient progress was being made and whether the pace of improvement remained adequate.
2. Request that the Chair of Audit Committee provided an annual summary report to Full Council outlining progress made, areas of continuing concern and any further actions required.
3. Request that the Executive commissioned an independent reassessment of the Council against the CIPFA financial model as recommended by the CIPFA report within 18 months, with the outcome published and reported to the Audit Committee and to Full Council.

MOTION C - Strengthening Planning Enforcement and Protecting Communities

Councillor Andy Dingwall proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Barry Clarke.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council voted on the Motion and voted against the recommendations, so therefore the Motion was not carried.