Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The final Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports (PPRR) for the Children & Families and Education Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee. These provide a summary of progress in the delivery of the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the year. It also includes performance data and financial data for the portfolios and an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended 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 had been circulated) providing for comment the final Portfolio Performance and Resources reports which provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the mid-year reports.

The Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) attended the meeting and answered questions in respect to the report. The Executive Councillor (Education) was unable to attend the meeting and the representative of the Democratic Services Manager read out a statement on his behalf.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted that some financial aspects of the Looked After Children (LAC) budget continued to be a challenge as reported in previous reports, with residential care being the largest element of the overspend.

·         The “Team around the School” was now being rolled out across all schools and had met with lots of support since its introduction last September.

·         The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Steering Group was now established and a smaller leadership group had also been formed to meet more regularly. The Steering Group had representatives from a range of services, including Stockport Family, CCG, Inclusion Services, Services within the Children’s and Young People Disability Partnership, Adult Services, the parent / carer forum (PIPS) and setting, school and college representatives.

·         Councillors extended their thanks to the DACSE team for their excellent work and welcomed that the Stockport Phoenix CSE Police team had been awarded a Divisional Commanders Commendation by GMP for the team’s achievements over the past 12 months and the outstanding outcome of the Phoenix Peer Review in September 2016.

·         Councillors requested further information in respect to the Functional Skills qualification.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the additional information requested be circulated to Committee members.