Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2012.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 October 2012 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 the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

Councillor                             Interest

Laura Booth                          Any discussion relating to PIPS and she had previously worked as a volunteer with the organisation.

To consider call-in items (if any)

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Strategy & Performance).

As part of the 2013/14 Medium Term Financial Plan budget savings proposals, consultation has been undertaken on the specific savings proposals considered by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting in October 2012.

The consultations are nearly complete and the full results will be available and submitted to the meeting of the Executive on 17 December 2012. However, headline information on the process and initial findings will be shared with the Scrutiny Committee at this meeting.

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

Officer contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an opportunity to comment on the consultation which had taken part in respect to the 2013/14 Medium Term Financial Plan budget savings proposals. The consultation outcomes presented for comment were the Revised Children’s Centre Reception Desk Opening Times and Free School Transport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors requested clarification on the opening times of the four children’s centres which would not be affected by the revised opening times which were being consulted on.

·         Clarification was sought in respect to the consultation process on the proposed changes to Free School Transport and a number of Councillors suggested that the parents of those children who were in receipt of or who were requesting Free School Transport should have been written to directly.

·         Out of 1500 children, under the proposed changes 180 would no longer be eligible for free school transport which equated to 12%.

·         Concern was expressed that children who lived in Brinnington would be adversely affected by the proposed changes, particularly as there was no secondary school in the local area with pupils on the whole attending Werneth, Reddish Vale and Marple Hall schools or Stockport Academy. Councillors requested that the Executive give particular consideration to how the proposed changes would affect these children and their families.

RESOLVED – That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be forwarded to the Executive for consideration.

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 of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) and the Corporate Director for People was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) 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:-

·         Resolving issues relating to domestic abuse was a top priority.

·         An increase in alcohol related hospital admissions in the Central and Offerton areas remained a concern.

·         Councillors requested that the booklet relating to the transition from Children to Adults be circulated.

·         Clarification was sought as to the reasons for a decline in the number of CAFS completed during the first 6 months of 2012/13 when compared to the rate at the same time last year.

·         Work undertaken with out of area Troubled Families.

·         Intervention work with under 5’s who were subject to a Child Protection Plan.

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 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 of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) and the Corporate Director for People was submitte (copies of which had been circulated) d 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 excellent work undertaken by the School Improvement Team.

·         Further information was sought in relation to the Groundwork mentoring programme for 16-17 year olds.

·         Work undertaken by the Travel Co-ordination Service in respect to Special Educational Needs Transport provision.

·         The reasons for the decrease in the number of pupils making above the expected level of progress in English between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4.

·         The investment for the expansion of schools was welcomed.

·         The repair and maintenance programme which included £3.7m of schemes was on course for delivery between summer 2012 and summer 2013.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chair of the Stockport Safeguarding Children Board.

The report outlines the work and role of the Stockport Safeguarding Children Board.

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

Officer Contact: George Gilmore on tel: 474 5656 or email: george.gilmore@stockport.gov.uk

David Mellor, Chair of the Stockport Safeguarding Children Board submitted the Board’s annual report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an overview of the role and work of the Board in 2011/2012.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The key challenges for the E-Safety Sub Group and the updated e-safety strategy.

·         The changing patterns of birth rates between deprived and affluent areas have meant that more children were living in areas of deprivation than was the case three years ago.

·         Children in the most deprived areas of Stockport had lower outcomes than children living in similar areas of Greater Manchester.

·         The role of the Stockport Safeguarding Children Board sub groups.

·         The priorities for the year ahead.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that David Mellor be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The report provides an update about the employment outcomes of Apprentices participating in Stockport Council Schemes.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Alison Cresswell on 07875990221 or email: alison.cresswell@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Education) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update about the employment outcomes of Apprentices participating in Stockport Council Schemes including the Stockport Supported Apprenticeship Scheme and the 50:50 Apprenticeship Scheme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Education)

The report provides an update about the impact of the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Alison Cresswell on tel 07875 990 221 or email: alison.cresswell@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Education) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with an update in respect to the impact of the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Principals of Stockport College, Aquinas College and Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form College be invited to attend a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee to share their experience of the impact that the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance has had on the pupils that attend those Colleges.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report outlines the proceeding of the last meeting of the Children’s Trust Board on 19 September 2012.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on tel: 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 opportunity to comment on the proceedings of the last meeting of the Children’s Trust Board on 19 September 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and the 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 put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer contact: Stephen Fox on tel: 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 fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.