Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 1 November 2017 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 interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services to People.

The report provides a full summary of the feedback arising from the public consultation, staffing consultation and EIA process. The summaries of each proposal have also been updated to show how it is proposed to address risks highlighted through mitigation.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Gaynor Ward on Tel: 0161 474 3186 or email: gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the proposals contained in the Council’s Inclusive Growth and Reform Programme as it related to the Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet Members for Children & Young People and Education attended the meeting and answered questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A number of Councillors expressed concern in respect to the proposals for Participation and Education (Apprenticeships) and that the proposed closure of the Apprenticeship Store would actually be counter-productive in the long term.

·         Opportunities to look at how the Apprenticeship Service is run in the future and working in consultation with partners and external organisations.

·         It was suggested that the savings associated with the proposed closure of the Apprenticeship Store and the mitigation measures proposed should be reconsidered and alternatives investigated.

·         Councillors discussed the effectiveness of all those services which contributed to getting a child “school ready.” Start Well had been piloted in a number of Authorities throughout the country and had proved to be successful focusing on the most vulnerable families.

·         In respect to Start Well it was imperative that assessments were really well co-ordinated and effective plans drawn up for interventions. Assessment was based on need.

·         Concern was expressed at the potential negative impact on mental and emotional health needs for Looked After Children if they are implemented. It was also suggested that savings now would result in higher costs to the Council in the future.

·         Councillors sought clarity on the work of the clinical psychologists and the social work mental health leads. They noted that work would be targeted and focussed around statutory duties based on locality areas.

·         Councillors expressed concern in respect to the proposals for the provision of school bus passes and felt that there was a real threat that increased numbers of children would simply not attend school if they were to be agreed and implemented – particularly children in priority one areas.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and comments referred to the Cabinet for consideration.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an update on the National Funding Formula (NFF) and the Stockport Schools’ Financial Consultation.

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

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on Tel: 0161 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the National Funding Formula (NFF) and the Stockport Schools’ Financial Consultation.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Stockport DSG Schools’ block funding allocation for 2018/2019 would be determined via the application of the new NFF model to be implemented from April 2018. A “soft” approach basis for both 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 would be adopted.

·         In all Schools’ Funding Formula matters for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 the Local Authority would remain responsible for proposing any amendments and also the final decision of the model to be implemented.

·         Councillors noted that an update would be provided in the New Year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director for Education Services.

The report provides an overview of the proposed Schools Capital Programme 2018 – Strategic Approach.

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

Officer Contact: Phil Beswick on Tel: 0161 474 3832 or email: phil.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the strategic approach to the Schools Capital Programme 2018.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted the Governance arrangements which would be made up of an Executive Board, a Project Team and the SCAP Steering Group.

·         There would be a process of continual review to ensure that the projects deliver in line with the programme and to ensure that any future opportunities were maximised to assist in the delivery or expansion of the programme of works.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report summarises the current local and national context associated with antisocial behaviour and outlines partnership activity which aims to achieve that reduction via interventions focussing on perpetrators, victims and locations as appropriate.

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

Officer Contact: Jacqui Bellfield-Smith on Tel: 0161 474 4789 or email: jacqui.bellfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing for comment the draft Stockport Antisocial Behaviour Strategy.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Stockport Partnership had set a five year strategy to build on strengths and address key challenges. Four priority themes had been adopted which were closely aligned to the Stockport Policing Strategy – protecting vulnerable people, public safety and protection, serious & organised crime and transforming justice.

·         In the 3 years from 2014-2015, there has been a gradual upward trend in the number of ASB incidents recorded by Police in Stockport.

·         The main aim of the strategy was to achieve a reduction in ASB by improving the response to, and systems relating to, ASB in Stockport. It was intended that this approach would further enhance the collaboration between statutory and non-statutory agencies and the voluntary sector.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report requests the Scrutiny Committee to consider the priority areas proposed, in the context of the strategic assessment evidence base, with a particular focus on the areas within the remit of the Committee. 

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

Officer Contact: Peter Owston on Tel: 0161 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking comments on the proposed priority areas for the Safer Stockport Partnership to focus on in the new SSP plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors discussed the priority themes and the priority areas for action and noted that they had been identified based on the findings of the strategic assessment.

·         Councillors noted the timetable for the further development of the SSP Plan prior to the publication of the new SSP Plan in April 2018.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report outlines the support for young people with disabilities as they transition into adulthood.

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

Officer Contact: Cathy Lyall on Tel: 0161 474 4463 or email: cathy.lyall@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the effects of Part 3 of the Children & Families Act 2014 and the Care Act 2014 on the support provided for disabled young people aged 16-25 years old.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted that the emphasis of both Acts was on outcome focussed and person centred practice when considering assessments which would require a more holistic approach and more effective integrated working.

·         An integrated approach was being undertaken through the 0-25 SEND Steering Group to improve the transition to adulthood for young people with disabilities.

·         A ‘Preparation for Adulthood’ action plan had been developed through consultation with parents/carers which supported the overarching 0-25 SEND plan.

·         Special attention had been given to improving the information supplied to and communication with young people.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report requests the Committee to comment before consideration by the Cabinet on the feedback from public consultation and to decide whether to publish related statutory proposals in relation to future nursery education provision at Offerton Hall Nursery and Dial Park Primary Schools.

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

Officer Contact: Michelle Booth on Tel: 0161 218 1061 or by email on michelle.booth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the public consultation results relating to the future nursery education provision at Offerton Hall Nursery and Dial Park Primary School.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet be informed that the Scrutiny Committee supports the publication of the related statutory proposals to:

·         Discontinue Offerton Hall Nursery with effect from 31 August 2018; and

·         Reduce the lower age limit of Dial Park Primary School in order to accommodate nursery provision with effect from 1 September 2018.

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

The report provides an update on progress with the Stockport Work and

Skills Commission, and information about how we are developing an

Inclusive Growth Framework for Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the

report.

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on Tel: 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Director for Place Management &Regeneration and People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress with the Stockport Work and Skills Commission and information about proposals for the development of an Inclusive Growth Framework for Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors discussed how certain communities found it harder to access good quality work and skills provision than others and how the Skills Commission was an opportunity to better identify and understand the priority work, skills and local economic issues that affect Stockport.

·         Planned work included a series of half day workshops that would focus on businesses and business support organisations, people seeking work or in low pay and/or hours and skills, training and employability support providers.

·         The work on Poverty Insight would contribute additional information to inform the workshops, priorities and actions.

·         In the long term a new Work, Skills and Employability Board would be established after the Commission had ended and which would take ownership of the action plan from the Commission and drive the delivery of actions.

·         Councillors discussed how success would be measured and the baseline statistics gathered that would enable further analysis.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and relevant Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.