Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 6 December 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the deletion of Councillor Tom Dowse from the list of those members present.

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 Interest

There were no call in items to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Children & Families and Education Portfolios are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the third quarter of the financial year (October to December). They include forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and 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) providing for comment the final update Portfolio and Performance Reports for the Children & Families and Education portfolios.

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

Children & Families

·         The Committee discussed the increasing pressures associated with Looked After Children (LAC), children on a child protection plan (CPP) and the associated financial pressures whilst trying to provide a high quality service.

·         On behalf of the Committee, the Chair congratulated Leanne Baines and Louise Watson who had both received awards at the National Social Worker of the Year Awards.

·         Councillors noted the positive trends which included Early Years and the excellent work being undertaken by the Multi-Agency Safeguarding and Support Hub

·         Efforts to reduce childhood obesity such as The Early Days course was welcomed as was the reduction in the rate of Accident and Emergency attendances and admisisons amongst 0-17 year olds.

·         Councillors requested further information in respect to the Local Place Based Panels.

·         Campaigns associated with the recruitment of Foster Carers. Foster Care accounted for roughly two thirds of looked after children placements.

·         Councillors requested further information on what percentage of those children eligible for 30 free hours childcare provision had taken it up.

Education

·         The Authority continued to be on track to transfer all statements of SEN to EHC Plans by April 2018.

·         The Laurus Trust was working with Pendlebury PRU and had secured a secondary Alternative Provision Free School which would provide a base for up to 80 students aged 11-16.

·         The 14-19 Service had received a number of awards including a Talent Mark Gold Award and a Princess Royal Training Award.

·         In respect to key stage 4, the data from the October 2017 DfE Statistical First Release indicated that outcomes in Stockport were strong.

·         Councillors requested further information in respect to the expansion of Ludworth Primary School and post 19 SEN Transport.

·         It was further agreed that additional information be circulated in relation to the New Hope Scheme

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Corporate Director for Place be requested to circulate the additional information to Councillors as requested.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides for comment proposals which will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval on the Education Funding Settlement and Local Formula for 2018/2019.

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 key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on the education funding settlement for 2018/2019.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The 2018/2019 DSG will be allocated in four blocks from April 2018 with per pupil/cash increases applied to the schools and the high need blocks.

·         The 2018/2019 per pupil funding rates will remain fixed at 2017/2018 levels with the exception of the Pupil Premium plus grant funding allocated to Looked After Children, Adopted children and children with guardians which will increase from £400 from April 2018.

·         There was a confirmed additional national £29m of SEND implementation grant – funding which would be allocated to local authorities to continue transforming SEN provision putting families at the heart of the system. Individual LA allocations was due to be confirmed shortly.

·         Councillors discussed the potential impact of the funding of Early Years provision on independent childminders.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the recommendations detailed in the report be supported.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides and update on the outcomes of the Schools Financial

consultation undertaken with all school governing bodies in autumn 2017.

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 outcomes of the Schools Financial consultation undertaken with all school governing bodies in the autumn 2017.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides the opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee to consider the results of the EIA in respect of the KITE service redesign proposals and to comment on the proposed plans for mitigation.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and 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) outlining the results of the Equality Impact Assessment relating to the KITE service redesign proposals.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that the Cabinet be informed that the Scrutiny Committee supports the proposals detailed in the report.

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

The report provides an update on progress in respect to road safety on the report. The report also requests the Committee to comment on the proposals regarding the capital programme of improvements around the identified priority schools and to review and comment on the use of mobile camera car enforcement.   

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

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on Tel: 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a further update on progress and requesting the Committee to comment on the proposals regarding the capital programme of improvements around the identify priority schools and on the use of the mobile camera car for enforcement purposes.

The Cabinet Member for Education answered Councillors questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Twelve schools ahd undertook the Eagle Eye programme in the last academic year with 2,287 pupils participating. Outside of the programme, individual sessions were delivered at a further ten schools and a similar programme of activity for this academic year had commenced.

·         The Council has also lauched a year long PR campaign to tacckle illegal and inconsiderate parking to improve road safety around schools. Councillors requested a detailed breakdown for where the 227 parking tickets had been issued in 2017.

·         The Committee welcomed the fact that the Council was working woith TfGM as part of the School Streets pilot project, a scheme which has previously been trialled successfully in Edinburgh.

·         Councillors discussed the benefits of walking to school both in terms of the health benefits but also for reducing the number of vehicles on the road. A number of schools had received assistance in setting up a park and stride scheme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the report be referred to Area Committees for considered

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 are 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.