Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of People and Integration.

The report provides details relating to the draft 2023/24 Agreement for the Children, Families and Education Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review and comment on the draft Portfolio Agreement.

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager

gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk  (0161 474 3186)

Gill Dixon, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Children’s Social Care

gill.dixon@stockport.gov.uk  (0161 474 3886)

Peter Hughes, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Education & Schools

peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk  (0161 474 3947)

A representative of the Corporate Director of People and Integration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the draft 2023/24 Agreement for the Children, Families and Education Portfolio.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Priority 2 - All children and young people are well prepared for adulthood and engage in education, employment, and training

·       Clarification was sought regarding the accuracy of the CFE25 and CFE28 figures which was impressive. It was noted that it was the statutory responsibility of the authority to track 16-18 year olds, through information from colleges, training providers and apprenticeships. Where the information was not available then the team would go out and seek the information from the young people and their families.

·       Members enquired about how Stockport could work with providers across Greater Manchester to improve the offer and provisions. It was noted that this was already being progressed through developing and implementing a post-16 plan with colleagues across Greater Manchester.

·       It was noted that the delivery plan would be within this municipal year and before March 2024.

·       Members requested that regarding the outputs of 16-18 year olds and the vagueness of the data, that an additional PI be included relating to the ‘destination data of the 18 year olds and their further education’.

REOSLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That consideration be given to including an additional PI in future reports relating to the ‘destination data of the 18 year olds and their further education’.