Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2011.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 16 February 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interest which they have in any of the items on the agenda for this meeting (including whipping declarations)

No declarations were made.

To consider an call-in items.

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director, Children & Young People and the Chair of the Children's Trust Board.

The report presents for comment the draft Stockport Children's Trust Strategic Plan 2011-14.

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

Officer contact: Geraldine Gerrard 0161 474 3837 email: geraldine.gerrard@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Children & Young People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the draft Stockport Children’s Trust Strategic Plan for 2011/14.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There was a need to ensure that the financial contributions of partners was effectively co-ordinated.

·         Consideration needed to be given to addressing those children in deprivation who lived outside the established Priority 1 areas which comprised the majority of those children which fell within that category.

·         Schools were proactive in addressing issues around the misuse of alcohol and health professions were now working closely with the schools to pass on information.

·         Members requested clarification on the nationally used definition of ‘poverty’.

·         It was noted that of those children placed in care, 15% had been placed on Children’s Homes.  The Scrutiny Committee commented that it was important that placements were made based on what was the most appropriate to meet the child’s needs rather than not having an appropriate placement.

·         Research had consistently shown that children placed in foster homes had performed better, although it was noted that for certain children, particularly older children, foster placements were not always possible.

·         Stockport was one of the most successful recruiters of foster carers in the North West.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Children & Young People.

The report provides an overview of performance during Q4 2010/11 financial year and the 2009/10 academic year. The report includes LAA targets (2008-2011) and national indicators relevant to children and young people.

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

Officer Contact: Donna Sager 474 3928 email: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Children & Young People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of performance during Quarter 4 of the 2010/11 financial year and the 2009/10 academic year.  The report included LAA targets (2008-11) and national indicators relevant to children and young people.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Incidence of teenage pregnancy seemed to be concentrated in the more deprived areas of the borough, and it was here that there was a greater prevalence of smoking amongst young girls which needed further attention.

·         In response it was noted that a great deal of work took place through the Children’s Centres to address this issue.

·         The measurement of childhood obesity in reception aged children ought to be followed through early years provision with further checks.

·         The most significant factor in childhood obesity was diet rather than lack of engagement in physical education.

·         The number of exclusions from Stockport schools was concerning, and the work of the Children & Young People Directorate in making efforts to reduce this was to be applauded.

·         The Supported Apprenticeship Scheme was showing encouraging results.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director, Children & Young People be requested to submit a report to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee detailing the employment outcomes for those young people in apprenticeships following the conclusion of their placements.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Business Services.

The report provides an update on the 2010/11 provisional outturn position for the revenue budget and capital programme. The figures presented in the report are draft at this stage and further details will be presented to the Executive Meeting on 13 June 2011.

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

Officer Contact: Christine Buxton 474 4124 email: christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Children & Young People submitted a report of the Corporate Director, Business Services (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the 2010/11 provisional outturn position for the revenue budget and capital programme.  The figures presented in the report were draft at the point of submission to Scrutiny Committee prior to their submission to the Executive at its meeting on 13 June 2011.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Children & Young People.

The report provides an update on progress since September 2010 when the action plan in response to the review was initiated.

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

Officer contact: Lynn Perry on 0161 474 5974 email: lynn.perry@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Children & Young People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress since September 2010 when the action plan in response to the Scrutiny Review had been initiated.

It was reported that the Scrutiny Committee had requested six monthly updates in response to the Scrutiny Review, and that this report was the first such report which had been based upon the agreed responses.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To note the resumes of the meetings of the Children's Trust Boards held on 9 February and 10 March 2011.

Officer Contact: Jonathan Vali 0161 474 3201 email: jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered resumes (copies of which ad been circulated) of the meetings of the Children’s Trust Board held on 9 February and 10 March 2011.

RESOLVED – That the resumes of the meetings of the Children’s Trust Board held on 9 February and 10 March 2011 be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

Officer Contact: Steve Fox 0161 474 3206 email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That reports in respect of the following be submitted to future meetings of the Scrutiny Committee:-

·         The impact of the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance and the proposed alternative funding arrangements on the numbers of young people not in employment or training.

·         Proposed topics for Scrutiny Reviews.

·         The Future of Young People’s Centres.

·         Funding for Early Years.