Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 May 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 7 May 2014 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 report of the Corporate Director, Services to People.

The report provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and includes out-turn performance and financial data for each Portfolio. The reports also include a progress report and updated risk assessment of the portfolio savings programmes. 

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

Officer Contact: Simon Finch on Tel: 474 4019 or email: simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Services to People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/2014, including out turn performance and financial date for each portfolio.

The Executive Councillors Children and Young People (Councillor Wendy Meikle) and Lifelong Learning and Achievement (Councillor Shan Alexander) attended the meeting and answered Councillors questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The financial position on external placements.

·         Ofsted inspections on Children’s Centres.

·         Obesity levels by geographical area.

·         Funding of Pupil Referral Units and surplus places.

·         The impact of universal free school meals.

·         Free School Transport for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Corporate Director, Services to People be requested to submit update reports to future meetings of the Scrutiny Committee on:

·         The Council’s response to recent Ofsted inspections of Children’s Centres

·         Childhood Obesity

·         Implications of new SEN Code of Practice and system reform for children and young people

·         Pupil Premium and issues affecting School Funding

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services to People.

The Council Meeting on 27 February 2014 approved the 2014/15 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Plan. On 3 April, following consideration by the CRMG Scrutiny Committee and Executive, it also approved a refreshed version of the 2013/15 Council Plan, setting out priority outcomes and objectives that will shape the Council’s activities.  These high-level documents outline the Council’s key priorities, objectives and spending plans, providing the basis for performance and resource monitoring over the next 12 months.

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

Officer Contact: Simon Finch on Tel: 474 3186 or email: simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Service to People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining that the Council Meeting in February 2014 had approved the 2014/2015 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Plan. The Council also approved a refreshed version of the 2013/2015 Council Plan which set out priority outcomes and objectives which shape the Council’s objectives.

The Executive Councillors Children and Young People (Councillor Wendy Meikle) and Lifelong Learning and Achievement (Councillor Shan Alexander) attended the meeting and answered Councillors questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Implications of the introduction of a revised SEN Code of Practice

·         The quality of post 16 education opportunities

·         Numbers of pupils who run away from care

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 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 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 the Corporate Director, Services to People be requested to submit reports to a future meeting on the issues identified below:-

·         The Council’s response to recent Ofsted inspections of Children’s Centres

·         Childhood Obesity

·         Implications of new SEN Code of Practice and system reform for children and young people

·         Pupil Premium and issues affecting School Funding