Drug and Alcohol Action Group - Joint Commissioning Group 

Governance and Terms of Reference

1.0).	The Joint Commissioning Group 

1.1	The Partners, as set out in Section 3.0 below, shall establish a Joint Commissioning Group (JCG) which shall be a joint committee within the meaning of regulation 4 (a) of the Regulations

1.2	The Purpose of the JCG is set out in Section (2) which includes the responsibilities of the JCG and its membership 

1.3	Due to the relative size of the DAAT and the Partnership it is agreed by all partners that the JCG will be a combined group supporting the adult and young people services on the Isle of Wight. 

2.0).	Purpose and Responsibilities of the Joint Commissioning Group

2.1	The purpose of the JCG is to support the Isle of Wight Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) in the commissioning of drug treatment services for both adults and young people. This includes the commissioning of drug treatment interventions in the criminal justice system and supporting the local implementation of the relevant objectives set out in the Government strategy to tackle drug misuse  

2.2	The responsibilities of the JCG and its members are: 

•	To commission adult and young people drug treatment services on behalf of the DAAT, within the parameters set by the DAAT’s Annual Treatment Plans 

•	To provide a forum for the Isle of Wight commissioners to work together to ensure the provision of efficient and effective drug services, meeting the wide range of needs of drug misusers on the isle of Wight, in line with the priorities of the DAAT and their agreed Joint Commissioning Principles 

•	To support the DAAT Commissioner in negotiations with partner agencies to fulfil the DAAT priorities, and in particular to support the preparation of the Treatment Plans and the monitoring of progress in their implementation 

•	To provide a forum where each member organisation can report on its individual expenditure plans and priorities on substance misuse related activities and to consider adjustments where appropriate in the pursuit of agreed DAAT objectives and priorities

•	To take responsibility for the management of the Pooled Treatment Fund (the Fund) and to receive financial and management information regarding the performance of the Fund and the delivery of the services

•	To develop and make recommendations to the Group on the strategic direction of the services supported by the DAAT and the use of the Fund 

•	Monitor quality standards and take any action necessary to improve quality 

•	To identify and co-ordinate access to additional funding streams
3.0).	Membership 

3.1	The following organisations and agencies are members of the JCG and are entitled to represent the organisation/agency at meetings (with the relevant post-holder indicate din brackets): 
•	Isle of Wight Council – Community Services (Director of Community Services) 
•	Isle of Wight Council – Community Safety Services (Head of Community Safety Services)
•	Isle of Wight PCT – Commissioning (Senior Joint Commissioning Manager)
•	Youth Offending Team (Area Manager) 
•	IW Council – Children’s Services (Director or nominated deputy)
•	National Probation Service (Service Manager)
•	Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police (Inspector) 
•	HM Prison Service (IDTS Project Manager)
•	RESULT Service User Group (Coordinator or nominated deputy)
      
3.2	The National Treatment Agency shall be entitled to have one observer in attendance at JCG meetings with full speaking rights but no voting rights 

3.3	The JCG may co-opt persons to the JCG for a fixed period to assist with specific matters but such persons shall have no right to vote

3.4	Membership of the JCG shall be reviewed at least every three years 

3.5	In the event that and organisation or agency is unrepresented at 3 successive meetings the Chair of the Group shall ask the organisation concerned to review its arrangements for representation

4.0).	Chairing

4.1	The Chair and Deputy Chair shall be appointed by the JCG and will normally be one of the representatives from the Local Authority or the PCT. The Deputy Chair shall be entitled to exercise any of the powers of the Chair when the Chair is absent or unavailable 

4.2	The Chair shall preside over meetings and in their absence a member appointed by the members present shall take the chair (provided that there is a valid quorate) 

4.3	The Chair shall approve all items to be included on the agenda and shall agree with the DAAT Commissioner those items deemed to be urgent and/or confidential  

5.0).	Meetings and working arrangements  

5.1	The JCG shall normally meet at least four times a year and dates will be fixed in advance and notified to all members. Special meetings may be called with the agreement of the Chair or at the request of at least 3 members from three different organisations 

5.2	Reports and agendas must be despatched to all members of the Group, either electronically or by post, not less than three clear working days before the date of the meeting Any items that are deemed to be exempt from discussion in public must be so marked and endorsed with the reason

5.3	A representative from the DAAT shall be responsible for taking the minutes of each meeting Minutes and maintaining a copy of each agenda, supporting papers and the minutes of each and every meeting of the group

5.4	Minutes shall be approved by the group as a true record and signed as such by the Chair 

5.5	There must be three members, including representation from the Local Authority and the PCT, for the meeting to be quorate. Where a member has declared an interest on any agenda item they shall not count towards the quorum for the discussion on that item  

5.6	All matters arising for formal decisions shall be decided by a majority of votes unless the Chair establishes unanimous agreement. Each member shall have one vote. In the event of an equality of votes, the Chair shall be entitled to a second and casting vote

5.7	In view of the nature of the business to be considered, the JCG meetings shall be held in private, with attendance restricted to group members, although the group may agree to invite guest, observers or advisers to attend all or part of its meetings. Papers considered by the group will be made available to the public in accordance with the terms of the Freedom of Information Act unless they meet the requirements of exemption from such publication

6.0).	Task and Working Groups 

6.1	The JCG has the power to establish task and working groups to carry forward particular aspects of its work, but such groups will have advisory powers only and the terms of reference of such groups are subject to ratification by the JCG

7.0).	Code of conduct and declarations of interest

7.1	All members of the JCG are must abide by the relevant code of conduct of the organisation they represent and are required to comply with the whistle-blowing policy and procedures of the organisation that they are representing. Members shall be aware of the following guidance of the following guidance on standards and ethics and are required to adhere to it in all actions undertaken on behalf of the JCG:
Selflessness and Integrity
To take decisions purely in the public interest and not for personal or family benefit; not to be under any financial or other obligation to any person or organisation that may have influence in the performance of official duties 
Objectivity
Make decisions on merit when awarding contracts or recommending anyone for reward or benefit
Openess 
Members should be as open as possible regarding all decisions and actions and provide reasons for decisions; information should only be kept back if public interest clearly demands it to be so 
Honesty
Members must declare any private interest relating to public duties and take steps to resolve conflicts that affect the public interest