Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive. 

The report provides 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). It includes out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with updates on the portfolio savings programme

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2017/18;

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

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

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

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager

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

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

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

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

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

The Corporate Director (Place) & the Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing 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). It includes out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with updates on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

Priority One

·         It was noted that in Priority One – Social and Emotional pathway development, that parents had reported a stigma regarding asking for help. In response, it was stated that most families felt embarrassed about asking for help as there was a stigma attached. Stockport was clear about building respectful relationships with children and families and helping with the universal provisions. Ongoing work continued with health visitor visits with every child and baby with a number of examples from last year due to the pandemic where parents have now asked for help due to the environment and relationships being created.

Priority Two

·         A further subset of information was requested relating to SEND pupils in Priority Two (CFSE 25 – CFSE 29) to be shared with the Committee for future monitoring purposes.

·         Clarification was sought on the ‘catch up money’ from Government referred to in Priority Two – “School Effectiveness” and when and how much was expected. In response it was noted that most of the ‘catch up money’ was directed to the school’s and it was up to the school’s within the Government framework to spend that money accordingly. It was also stated that the monies were paid twice last year, with any monies that was leftover being rolled over to this year due to the timeframes involved during the pandemic. Work was currently underway with schools to define the priorities for the borough going forward for the next 3-5 years and feedback from schools would be sought relating to the priorities and its framework.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the borough’s preparations for reception children. In response, it was stated that lots of work had been done across Greater Manchester to help schools think about the Year 1 curriculum and approach. It was noted that last year there was a huge effort in terms of transition to secondary schools and has now risen to the top of the agenda for transitional situation for children.

Priority Four

·         Regarding Priority Four – CFSE50, the Children in Care per 10,000, 0-17 year olds has provided a figure of 59, can this be explained. In response, it was stated that this figure was the actual rate and not the actual figure, but in future the actual figure would also be included.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.