Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 May 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared

Personal Interest

There were no call in items to consider.

Representatives of Stockport College will attend the meeting and make a presentation.

Representative of Stockport College attended the meeting and made a presentation in respect to respect to the Make Your Mark campaign which encouraged young people to have a voice and engage on issues which affected their lives. Additionally, the campaign encouraged young people to vote and engage fully in the democratic process. Other topics discussed included young people’s metal health, the support provided to disabled young people from various agencies and transport.

The students answered question from the Chair and members of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted the Stockport College students be thanked for their attendance and presentation.

To consider a report of the Director for Childrens Services.

The report outlines the policy priorities for 2018/19 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 is invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Thomas Plant on Tel: 0161 218 1358 or email: Thomas.plant@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Members for Children & Young People and Education submitted reports (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the draft 2018/2019 portfolio agreements which incorporated the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific cabinet priorities.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There would continue to be an emphasis on meeting the

needs of LAC and improving the support for and life chances of

Care Leavers.

·         The Greater Manchester Children’s Board held its first meeting in May with the remit to oversee the spending of the DfE grant of £7.4 million, along with receiving reports on other GM initiatives for children and young people.

·         The borough had experienced a sustained increase in the number and complexity of social care referrals in recent years.

·         The number of children and young people who have profound and complex Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) is also increasing.

·         The overarching priority for the Education Portfolio will be to

continue to ensure all children and young people have access to high quality education and training and are supported to fulfil their potential, with a particular focus on reducing inequalities and removing the barriers to educational attainment and skills for the most disadvantaged children, young people and adults.

·         Raising educational attainment across the Borough and making sure those children and young people at risk of under-achievement receive the additional support they need to attend and achieve at school.

·         The number of children and young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan) also continues to increase at a faster rate than the population growth, with higher rates of SEN in more deprived areas.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The report provides an update on work that has been undertaken with schools over the course of the last year in relation to children and young people’s mental health.

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

Officer Contact: Catherine Johnson on Tel: 474 2446 or email: Catherine.johnson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the actions and work undertaken with schools over the course of the last year in respect to children and young people’s mental health.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         During the 2017/18 academic year, the focus of the mental health in

schools group has been to develop and roll out a wellbeing strategy for

education settings across the borough.

·         School Governors have been made aware of the strategy and their

responsibilities in relation to wellbeing – through the annual GOVAS conference and through input to the termly briefings for the Chairs of Governing bodies.

·         Schools have been encouraged to work with their Senior

Leadership Teams to develop a response to the strategy, complete the self assessment tool and identify a member of the Governing Body who could take a lead on wellbeing.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the work being undertaken with School and Academies be welcomed.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out a suggested process for the selection of scrutiny review topics and an explanation as to how the reviews will be supported.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report and subject to those comments refer the report to Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 0161 474 4306 or email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to select a scrutiny review topic for the 2018/2019 municipal year and to select participants to undertake the review.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred to the next meeting.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out planned agenda items and items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

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

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 0161 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 Committees next meeting and relevant Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Director for Education be requested to submit a report to a future meeting outlining issues relating to Home Schooling both locally and nationally.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report outlines issues for the devolution of the Adult Education Budget.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on Tel: 07800 617932 or email: Richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining the devolution of the Adult Education Budget to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority which provided significant control over adult skills funding.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.