Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services and Education.

The report provides an update on progress with developing shared leadership for the early years functions of the School Improvement Teams across Stockport and Tameside Councils. This report builds on previous updates to scrutiny committee and provides further information and assurance on the stages taken for due diligence in development of shared services proposals.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman, tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk  or Carolyn Anderson, carolyn.anderson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services and Education submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress with developing shared leadership for the early years functions of the School Improvement Teams across Stockport and Tameside Councils. This report built on previous updates to scrutiny committee and provided further information and assurance on the stages taken for due diligence in development of shared services proposals.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Expressed disappointment in relation to delay in reporting on the Shared Services Programme to the Committee.

·         It was noted that shared services had a number of benefits.

·         Members queried the line management responsibility of staff working across the shared service and governance structure.

·         In response it was stated that there was currently three posts funded through Stockport and one post funded through Tameside across the Shared Service Programme and that dependant on which authority funded the post, determined the line management responsibility of this member of staff.

·         Raised concerns in relation to the ward boundaries, large scale housing developments and the impact on the offering of school places.

·         In response it was stated that whilst there would be an increase in demand for school places, there was only a limited number of spaces available in Stockport schools and once the school had reached its published admission number it would not be able to admit any children in addition to those allocated.

·         Requested assurances that feedback the in relation the consultation would be received and acted upon. In response Members were assured that all feedback would be listened to, however the outcome determined would be in the best interest for residents as a whole.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services and Education.

The report provides an update on progress with developing shared leadership for the early years functions of the School Improvement Teams across Stockport and Tameside Councils. This report builds on previous updates to scrutiny committee and provides further information and assurance on the stages taken for due diligence in development of shared services proposals.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman, tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk  or Carolyn Anderson, carolyn.anderson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services and Education submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress with developing shared leadership for the early years functions of the School Improvement Teams across Stockport and Tameside Councils.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       Clarification was sought regarding recruitment for the vacant positions and where would the persons be based. In response, it was stated that recruitment would initially be internally with the positions being based in both boroughs and there would be continue to be place based teams across the boroughs.

·       Members enquired about the ‘listening exercise’ referred to in the key timescales for development of early years proposal. In response, it was stated that it was a consultation exercise to speak to colleagues in those settings and listen to the things that are valued most.

·       Members sought reassurances regarding the outcomes of the ‘listening exercises’ and engagement processes with colleagues in the event that there was uncertainty with the proposals that it would be re-visited and the Committee would be updated accordingly. In response, assurances were given that the Committee would be informed of progress relating to the consultation exercises and engagement with colleagues.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.