Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Management Team which presented progress against the council’s corporate performance framework by Altogether priority theme for the fourth quarter of the 2017/18 financial year (for copy see file of minutes).

The Corporate Equality and Strategy Manager responded to a question from Councillor Durham regarding the failure to meet the target for the number of social work case file audits.  He confirmed that there were various pressure points relating to types and levels of intervention and the service would look at alternative ways to represent the figures following the implementation of Liquid Logic.  There was however a period of transition to be expected but the Committee would see improvements.

Councillor Blakey referred to the reduction in teenage pregnancy and asked for Members to be alerted should there be any recent increase.

Councillor Smith referred to recent press which criticised the campaign for breastfeeding.  It had been alleged that Mothers were left feeling guilty for their choices, or feeling too pressurised by health visitors and midwives.  Councillor Considine confirmed that from experience, she had been provided with more support in Durham than in London and complimented the health service for a positive experience.  Mrs Norman added that the Nursing & Midwifery Council were relaxing their stance on breastfeeding.  Mrs Parkins queried whether there was a breastfeeding support group specifically aimed at teenage parents.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.