Terms of reference

Our aim is the creation of a strong, focused main board, with a clear purpose, and associated responsibilities, powers and duties. It should complement, but not overlap with, the schools forum.

The purpose of the board is made clear by the DfES statutory guidance: '[a trust requires] strong governance, in particular a powerful integrated governing board or structure through which senior representatives of all key partner organisations can give strategic leadership and direction, and drive through change'.

The main responsibilities proposed for the board are to:

• Help to develop the strategy of services for children and young people, and the annual action plans for implementing it;
• Focus on the five outcomes specified in every child matters;
• Give direction to the main priorities for the three local areas, and review the work done;
• Assist in the development of joint contracting and commissioning arrangements;
• Identify areas for multi-agency development;

Ensure that all members of Waltham Forest local strategic partnership (LSP) board are kept properly informed about progress and issues in respect of partnership working relevant to children and young people.

The powers and duties proposed for the board are set out in the following paragraphs. These are needed for it to be able to fulfill its purpose and associated responsibilities. It is proposed that the board (subject to the formal agreement of the council's cabinet, and any other organisation affected) have power to:

• approve or reject devolved funding to area partnerships, except for any resources that are within the remit of the schools forum;
• approve or reject all neighbourhood renewal or other neighbourhood grant payments within the children services block;
• approve or reject local area agreement proposals;
• create any sub-groups, working parties or special interest groups as it thinks fit.

It is proposed that the board has a duty to consider, and comment upon (annually unless specified):

• the vision of the partnership - the extent to which the vision has been met, and any development of the vision it thinks might be appropriate;
• the strength of partnership working - to be done, in part, through an evaluation of the extent to which we have worked towards the culture we aspire to;
• proposed budget allocations for the following year to the responsible agencies (which must provide the board with budget proposals);
• the proposed Children and Young People plan action plan for the following financial year;
• joint commissioning arrangements, including any pooled budgets;
• the performance of services for children and young people in the previous local authority and school years, provided annually by the executive director;
• (quarterly) the performance of children services, against the action plan for the relevant year, with a focus on the five outcomes and the progress towards transforming services. A 'traffic light' reporting system will be used, with information about action being taken where activities have slipped, or where performance targets are unlikely to be reached;
• (every three years) the proposed strategy for the development of services for children and young people (the statutory children and young people plan).

It is also proposed that the board should have a duty to consult children, young people and their parents, either through work it directs, or through requiring the executive director to report to it on consultation processes and outcomes.

The board will receive reports from the each of the three area partnerships. These reports will show how each area partnership identified priorities for any funding allocated, taking account of any guidance given by the board, how it spent the money and whether outcomes were achieved.

Board members will have training to enable them to perform their role effectively.

Relevant officer support will be provided at meetings. The board will also have the ability to seek additional information from officers as well as independent advice if required.

Protocols governing membership

Those who accept a nomination for membership of the Children and Young People Board thereby agree to abide by the seven principles of public life arising from the Nolan report, which are:

• Selflessness Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest.  They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
• Integrity Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
• Objectivity In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
• Accountability Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
• Openness Holders of public office should be taken as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take.  They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
• Honesty Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
• Leadership Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Register and Declarations of Interest

The key guiding principle is that any Member who thinks he or she may have an interest in a matter over which that person may exert an influence should declare that interest

So far as discussions and decisions at meetings are concerned there will be an item on each agenda requesting declarations of interest but if, for any reason, that opportunity is not taken, a Member may declare their interest before discussion of the particular item in which they have an interest.

By way of general guidance a personal or financial interest may arise where, by virtue of influencing a decision, the Member may gain an advantage for himself or herself, a relative or friend.

Where a Member has a personal or financial interest he/she should not seek to influence a decision about the matter and in the context of an item at a meeting, should withdraw from that meeting prior to the matter being considered.

Register of Interest

Every Member will be required, prior to taking up their appointment, to provide details of their employment; any business interests and directorships; and any direct relationship they may have with the business of the children and young people board or LSP.

Hospitality

Members should treat with caution any offer or gift, favour or hospitality and where there is any concern that the offer may be or may be seen as corrupt, he/she should refer the matter to the LSP lead officer within the local authority.

Personal Behaviour

Members are required to be courteous and respectful to all persons with whom they come into contact through their work on the board and never to conduct themselves in a manner which could be regarded as bringing the board into disrepute.

If unacceptable behaviour occurs during a meeting, the Chair may request the member to withdraw and subsequently raise the matter with the nominating body.

Non-Discrimination

No Member shall discriminate against any person or organisation on grounds of perceived difference and Members are expected to take every opportunity to promote equality and diversity in the course of their work on the board.

Public Statements

Individual Members should not make press/public statements on behalf of the board or LSP.  Requests for such statements should be referred to the LSP Lead Officer in the Council who will liaise with the respective Chair about the release of statements.

Individual Members should not publicly oppose decisions made by the Children and Young people Board or LSP.

Personal Commitment

In accepting a nomination to serve on the LSP, a Member agrees to give a personal commitment by :

• giving a high priority to attending meetings, key events and learning and development sessions;
• reading agenda papers before meetings
• upholding the values and objectives of the partnership
• promoting equality of opportunity and diversity
• doing their utmost to represent the board when required.

Period of Membership

There is no fixed period of Membership for individuals but the issue of Membership will be reviewed by the Board every 2 years.

Termination of Membership

A Member who misses 3 of the quarterly meetings in any one year or 3 consecutive meetings shall have their membership terminated unless the respective Theme Partnership or LSP Board accept that there have been justifiable reasons for the absence.

Deputies

There is no provision for deputies to attend in place of Members.