Agenda and minutes

The Chair referred to the recent bombing at Manchester Arena horrendous loss of life following the suspected suicide attack.

All members present stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those who had lost their lives in the attack.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the last meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee held on 5 April 2017 were noted.

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 Corporate Director for People.

The Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Children & Families and Education Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). They include out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

a)      Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;  

b)      Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2016/17;

c)      Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

d)      Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

e)      Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward, Emma Bowe; 0161 474 3186 / 218 1026 gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk / emma.bowe@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Services to People, submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) providing for comment the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Children & Families and Education Portfolios.

The Executive Councillors (Children and Families) and (Education) attended the meeting and answered questions in relation to the reports.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Financial pressures during the year have been great, particularly with residential placements (both in numbers and costs), Special Guardianships, and Section 17 Edge of Care.

·         During this last quarter the possible impact of the Children and Social Work Act and Greater Manchester Review of Children’s Services had been left unresolved into 2017-18. However, the Education and Adoption Act had led to the creation of a Stockport led regional adoption agency “Adoption Counts” that will be launched in 2017.

·         Councillors requested that further information in respect to the proposed single communications platform be circulated.

·         The SEND Steering Group was now established and included representation from education services, inclusion services, Stockport Family, health, early years settings, mainstream and special schools, colleges, parent / carer forums and services for adults.

·         Councillors requested further information in respect to the definition that was currently being used in respect to the definition of child poverty.

·         A further update was requested in respect to the new process for improving the completion rate of initial health assessments for children in care within a 28 day timeframe which had recently been implemented  been implemented.

·         Work continued to ensure that school places meet existing pressures . A working party was currently considering a full range of options to meet the needs of pupils with social, emotional and mental health

needs and approval had been secured for the development of an Alternative Provision Free School to provide a base for up to 8 students aged 11-16. Meanwhile short term additional capacity had been created at all six special schools in Stockport.

·         Councillors requested updates at future meetings in respect to the take up of Early Years places.

·         Councillors welcomed the work currently being undertaken in respect to road safety near schools and noted some of the new measures which were being implemented.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report sets out the policy priorities for 2017/18 were set out within the Council Plan, which was adopted at the Budget Council Meeting in February. This incorporates the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific priorities of the Cabinet.

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

Officer Contact: Gaynor Ward, on Tel : 474 3186 or email gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Services to People, submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) outlining the budget priorities for 2017/2018 which were set out in the Council Plan.

The Executive Councillors (Children and Families) and (Education) attended the meeting and answered questions in relation to the reports.

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 are invited to consider and comment on 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) setting out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any Forward Plan items within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – 1) That the report be noted.

2) That the Corporate Director, Services for People be requested to prepare reports as follows:-

·         Further information and a possible demonstration of the App created to support and help care leavers and further information in respect to their involvement in creating the App.

·         Work undertaken in respect to transition and supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities to prepare for adulthood and in particular work undertaken in schools.

·         Planning for Early Years provision.