Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 31 October 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Director for Children’s Services.

The report outlines achievements against last year’s plan and outlines the

priorities, opportunities and challenges for the coming year. The work of

Stockport’s youth justice service delivery is monitored through the Youth

Offending Services Partnership Board (YOS PB), which in turn reports through

the Children’s Senior Management Team and the Safer Stockport Partnership

(SSP). Stockport Children’s Safeguarding Board (SSCB) also receives

updates and reports as required.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the

report.

Officer Contact: Jacqui Bellfield-Smith on Tel: 0161 474 4789 or email:

jacqui.bellfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

The Director for Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining achievements against last year’s plan and identifying priorities, opportunities and challenges for the coming year.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Stockport YOS Partnership has managed to improve performance areas over the past 12 months when compared to other GM and North West authorities. The number of First Time Entrants (FTE) has decreased by 26.7% in Stockport over the past three years.

·         Stockport still operate a youth court, one day a week, from Stockport Magistrates Court and pick up additional work from East Cheshire and the High Peak, for which there is a recharge.

·         The YOS have a team of 9 volunteers fully trained in

·         Restorative Justice and Mediation Skills to operate ‘Referral Order Community Panels’, which facilitate and agree a community contract with the young person and their family when they receive a ‘Referral Order’.

·         The Committee welcomed the fact that an Educational Psychologist works within the service on a commissioned basis to ensure the specific needs of offenders are addressed, as well as jointly delivering bespoke programmes for parents.

·         Councillors discussed the ongoing work in respect to substance misuse and work with Mosaic in increasing awareness amongst case managers regarding emerging substances that young people may be using to ensure that they can signpost young people for appropriate support.

·         The Committee noted that YOS was actively involved in a number of GM developments that had impacted on the way services were delivered and opened opportunities for further collaboration which had been widely taken up across the conurbation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Families and the Cabinet Member for Education.

The report provides updated information on proposals that fall within this Committee’s remit. 

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Holly Rae on Tel: 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children & Families and Education submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on proposals which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Councillor asked how the specific budget saving proposals had been specifically arrived at particularly in respect to proposal one.

·         The Committee noted that a detailed report would be submitted to the next meeting in respect to SEND.

·         Councillors discussed the proposals  relating to the removal of the Stockport Local Assistance Scheme. A number of Councillors expressed concern in relation to this proposal.

·         The proposal to cease funding for the free Stockport Metroshuttle service after the current contract ends on 27th April 2019.

·         The Committee expressed reservations about proposals to remove the Faith element of Free School Travel eligibility. Given the small level of savings it was suggested that the impact on local residents would far outweigh the benefits of the savings achieved . The impact would affect those pupils who attend Harrytown and St James’ schools significantly. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 0161 474 3206 or email: Stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committees next meeting and relevant Forward Plan items.

Councillor Malcolm Allan reminded Councillors that he would like the Scrutiny Committee to give consideration to how best to engage young people more regularly in the decision making process.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.