Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2012.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 25 July 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) and the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the performance of the Service in relation to the Children and Young People Portfolio.

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

Officer Contact: Michael Henry 474 3830 or email: michael,henry@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) and the Corporate Director for People was submitted providing the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the performance of the Service in relation to the Children and Young People portfolio.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed in relation to domestic abuse incidents involving parents of children, rate per 1,000 under 5’s.

·         Efforts to divert young people from the Criminal Justice System through the use of restorative justice was welcomed.

·         The work of the Youth Offending Service and the Early Intervention programme designed to reduce to the number of first time entrants into the Criminal Justice System.

·         Efforts made to engage children and young people in physical activity as part of the London 2012 Olympic legacy.

·         Projects including Child Poverty and Reducing Inequalities and Children’s Centre Development were identified as excellent pieces of work.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) and the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the performance of the Service in relation to the Lifelong Learning and Achievement Portfolio.

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

Officer Contact: Michael Henry 474 3830 or email: michael,henry@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated) of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) and the Corporate Director for People was submitted providing the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the performance of the Service in relation to the Lifelong Learning and Achievement portfolio.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Level 2 and Level 3 qualification rates for 19 year olds revealed excellent progress had been made with a 4% point improvement at both levels. Stockport’s performance at both Level 2 and Level 3 was higher than the national average in 2010/11.

·         The transfer of £0.205m for the music service was welcomed.

·         The Committee noted the changes to SEN Transport provision and that a number of young people had been assessed within the new system, over 75% of whom had the potential to undertake Independent Travel.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with an update on the impact of the academies conversion programme in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Bates 475 3832 or email: richard.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Education) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an update on the impact of the academies conversion programme in Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The fact that there was a significant level of ‘buy back’ of services provided by the local authority demonstrated that there was a great deal of confidence in the services provided centrally.

·         How an Academies accounts were scrutinised.

·         Why on the whole a higher percentage of secondary schools had converted to Academies when compared to primary.

·         What the Local Authority was doing to ensure that Service Level Agreements were being carried out effectively.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with information relating to the educational outcomes for young carers in Stockport Schools.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Bates 475 3832 or email: richard.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Education) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with information relating to the educational outcomes for young carers in Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The support offered to young carers through schools.

·         Efforts made to identify and support the estimated 1000 young carers in Stockport.

·         It was suggested that a training session be provided for school governors to increase their awareness about the issues faced by young carers.

·         Concern was expressed at the rate of the exclusions from school amongst young carers.

·         Councillors commended the excellent work carried out by Signpost Young Carers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with information relating to the increase in the number of children needing primary school places over the past two years and the measures the Council has put in place to meet the demand.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Bates 475 3832 or email: richard.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Education) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with information relating to an increase in the number of children needing primary school places over the past two years and the measures the Council has put in place to meet that demand.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Clarification was sought in respect to the anticipated impact that the major housing development in the Heatons could have on pupil numbers at Priestnall School.

·         Councillors noted that there were particular problems in the Bredbury area.

·         Allocating places to children who move into the authority during the school year was a major challenge.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with information relating to a review undertaken in relation to SEN Transport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Bates 475 3832 or email: richard.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Education) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proving the Scrutiny Committee with an update on the review undertaken in relation to the provision of transport to pupils with a statement of special educational needs.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Early in the autumn term 2012 a range of meetings were being held with parents in conjunction with Parents in Partnership Stockport to explore how the Council could offer a degree of flexibility for travel arrangements which takes account of family circumstances and complex pupil needs whilst using resources in the most efficient way.

·         The Council’s transport contracts had all recently required renewal and were re-tendered and the newly awarded contracts were now in place.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The report provides an update on the changes in Services for Young People since its restructure in May 2011.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Bates 475 3832 or email: richard.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Education) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the changes in Services for Young People since its restructure in May 2011.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the proceedings of the meeting of the Children’s Trust Board on 18 June 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox 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) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an update on the proceedings of the Children’s Trust Board on 18 June 2012.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         How the Council could support and encourage children to continue to swim and participate in physical activity after key stage 2. Stockport currently had some of the highest rates of swimming competence in the country.

·         The interaction between public health and schools to combat problems associated with rising levels of obesity.

·         Councillors suggested that the Stockport Young Stars Event 2012 should include a category for Young Carers.

RESOLVED – That the resume be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

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

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and suggest any items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox 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 Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.