Agenda item

Consider report by Chief Executive.  (Copy to follow.)

         With reference to paragraph 10 of the Minute of 15 December 2023, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive providing the fourth formal update from the Inquiry Review Group which was established to progress the work identified following the independent investigation into the Council’s handling of concerns raised about a former Scottish Borders Council employee.  The report brought forward 6 remaining reporting templates relating to a number of actions and sought approval to consider these actions as complete.  The report also sought approval that the action plan be considered complete, with any ongoing actions being required to progress as continuous improvement with delegated authority for the monitoring and approval of such actions being granted to the Chief Executive.  A communications plan which outlined how the conclusion of actions and next steps would be communicated to stakeholders was contained in Appendix 2 to the report.  Given the progress that had been made it was proposed that this would be the final formal update provided to Council and that consequently the action group which had overseen delivery of the action plan to date would cease to meet.  The Chief Executive presented the report and thanked the relevant officers and Councillors L. Douglas and C. Hamilton for their work on ensuring that the Council’s approach to Child Protection was as effective as it could be.  Councillor Douglas and Councillor Hamilton also paid tribute to the officers involved.

         DECISION

         AGREED:-

(a)        to approve the action templates contained in Appendix 1 to the report as being complete;

(b)       to approve the proposed plan in Appendix 2 to the report for communication with stakeholders (Action 3c);

(c)        that the Inquiry Action Plan Group would cease to meet and that any ongoing actions contained in the plan progress as continuous improvement; and

(d)       that the Chief Executive assume delegated authority to monitor and approve any actions deemed to be ongoing.