Documents
Agenda
Standard Items
Present
Sheriff Principal Murray, Sheriff Spy (Paisley), Sheriff Pender (Dumbarton), Sheriff Hamilton, (Greenock), Sheriff McDonald (Kilmarnock), N Firth (Argyll, Bute and Dunbartonshire Criminal Justice Partnership), D MacRitchie (North Ayrshire Council), A Howard (Inverclyde Council), P MacLeod, A Scott, B Leslie and E Currie (all Renfrewshire Council), M McAulay (East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership) and K Ritchie (Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration).
Chair
Sheriff Principal D L Murray presided.
Order of Business
Sheriff Principal Murray intimated that the group would consider items 5 and 7 of the agenda together to facilitate the conduct of the meeting.
Schedule 2 Mental Health Reports and AWI Issues
5
There was submitted a report by the Team Manager, MHO Service, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership relative to current AWI issues and Schedule 2 MHO Reports.
It was noted that the Scottish Government had appointed a Policy Lead who was now leading a reform of the AWI Act. A public consultation would be launched late September/early October 2017 with a proposed Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament the following year.
The report intimated that the direction of travel would appear to be towards a system of Graded or Tiered Guardianship and preliminary views were emerging that some aspects of the AWI process could possibly be moved into a Tribunal System. Full details would not be known until the consultation was published.
The group then discussed these issues and it was agreed that these matters remain on the agenda of future meetings.
DECIDED:
(a) That the report be noted; and
(b) That these matters remain on the agenda of future meetings.
Valedictory
N Firth intimated that this would be his final meeting of this group as he would be retiring in November. Members of the group wished Norman a long and happy retirement and wished him well for the future.
Items Of Business
Apologies
Apologies from members.
Sheriff McDonald (Kilmarnock), D Hawthorn (Renfrewshire Council), A Taylor (Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership), S Taylor (East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership), J Irvine (West Dunbartonshire Council) and S McAlees (Inverclyde Community Health and Care Partnership).
Minute of meeting of this Group held on 25 November 2016.
1
There was submitted the Minute of meeting between the Sheriff Principal, Sheriffs of North Strathclyde Sheriffdom and Directors of Social Work/Community Justice Authorities held on 25 November 2016.
It was noted that K Ritchie was in attendance at the meeting and had not been recorded in the Minute.
In relation to item 5 of the Minute relating to Child Protection Orders it was agreed that the last paragraph and decision (b) be amended to read ‘Sheriff Principal Murray indicated that for clarification CPOs should be sought where the child was likely to reside’.
Sheriff Principal Murray advised that he would write to Chief Social Work Officers to advise them of this.
DECIDED:
(a) That, subject to the amendments noted above, the Minute be approved; and
(b) That it be noted that Sheriff Principal Murray would write to Chief Social Work Officers to advise that for clarification CPOs should be sought where the child was likely to reside.
2
There were no matters arising from the Minute.
DECIDED: That it be noted that there were no matters arising.
Consider amending title of meeting.
3
The group discussed the title of the group in the context that Community Justice Authorities no longer existed and also who would be attending the Criminal Justice Board in the absence of the Community Justice Authorities Chief Officers.
DECIDED:
(a) That the title of the group be amended to ‘Sheriff Principal and Sheriffs of North Strathclyde Sheriffdom and Chief Social Work Officers’;
(b) That P Macleod submit a report to the next meeting of the Group relative to transition arrangements and relevant partners;
(c) That Sheriff Principal Murray write to Community Justice Scotland concerning appropriate representation on the Criminal Justice Board.
Progress update.
4
A Scott advised that the project had ended and the final outcome report was awaited, which would make recommendations. There was no suggestion that any additional funding would be made available.
DECIDED: That it be noted that publication of the final outcome report was awaited.
Progress update.
6
It was noted that A Scott had already written to the Sheriff Principal and Sheriff Spy advising that due funding reductions this service could no longer be provided.
Sheriff Principal Murray advised that he had written to Linda Pollock on this matter.
P Macleod advised that discussions with SACRO and Linda Pollock had taken place but that the funding issue had not been resolved.
A Scott advised that whilst the Sheriff Principal had been made aware that there was funding provided to each local authority for bail support, that such funding required to be utilised to continue the women’s community justice centres. There was also information shared in relation to the new criminal justice funding formula and the actual and future potential reductions for some local authorities which could impact on services.
Sheriff Principal Murray intimated that he would write again to the Lord Presidents Office reflecting matters discussed by the group and P Macleod intimated that he would relay Sheriffs fears to Karyn McCluskey and Jean Couper.
DECIDED:
(a) That Sheriff Principal Murray write again to the Lord Presidents Office reflecting matters discussed by the Group; and
(b) That P Macleod relay Sheriffs fears to Karyn McLuskey and Jean Couper.
Report by Bob Leslie, Team Manager-MHO Service, Renfrewshire Council. (not available - copy to follow)
7
SUMMARY SHERIFFS
K Ritchie raised the matter of Summary Sheriffs and the expectation that they would be deployed to hear children’s referrals.
Sheriff Principal Murray intimated that Summary Sheriffs would not routinely hear children’s referrals.
DECIDED: That the matter be noted.
CAMPLETOWN SHERIFF COURT
K Ritchie rasied the matter of Sheriff Anderson’s retiral and whether there would be an opportunity for frequency in the court programme to be increased.
Sheriff Principal Murray intimated that it was not envisaged that the court programme would be increased but that this would be looked at.
DECIDED: That the matter be noted.
Consider date of next meeting.
8
The group considered arrangements for the next meeting of the group.
DECIDED:
(a) That the next meeting of this group be held on Friday 17 November 2017 at 2.00 p.m. within Paisley Sheriff Court, St James Street, Paisley; and
(b) That any further items to be considered be notified to Committee Services, Renfrewshire Council.
Supplementary Agenda
Notification
To Follow Item
I refer to the agenda for the meeting of the Sheriff Principal and Sheriffs of North Strathclyde Sheriffdom and Directors of Social Work/Community Justice Authorities to be held on 19 May 2017 at 2.00 pm and enclose the undernoted report relative to items 5 and 7 previously marked 'to follow':
AWI Issues and Schedule 2 Mental Health Reports
Items Of Business
Report by Bob Leslie, Team Manager-MHO Service, Renfrewshire Council.
Attendance
Declarations of Interests
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