Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 February 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The report provides information about the Ofsted inspection of the Stockport Continuing Education Service that took place between 06/03/18 and 09/03/18, and the performance of the Service for the academic year 2016/17.

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

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on Tel: 0161 474 3864 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) providing an update on the Ofsted inspection of the Stockport Continuing Education Service which took place between 6^th March and 9^th March 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Education attended the meeting and answered questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors welcomed that the latest inspection had confirmed that all of the issues identified in the last inspection had been successfully resolved and commended officers for their efforts.

·         The Committee discussed the continued use of the Stopford House Learning Centre building which Ofsted considered not to be fit for purpose.

·         The destination of learners after they had completed their course was identified as an important indicator for the success of the Service.

·         The Committee welcomed the newly established governance arrangements which had offered enhanced oversight of the service.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a joint report of the Director for Education and the Borough Treasurer.

The report updates the Committee on the Schools Capital Programme (SCP) for 2018/19 and amendments to the existing programme.

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

Officer Contact: Michelle Booth on Tel: 0161 218 2061 or email: michelle.booth@stockport.gov.uk

The Director for Education Services and the Borough Treasurer submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Committee on the Schools Capital Programme (SCP) for 2018/2019 and identifying any amendments to the existing programme.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee noted that there were three key areas of pressure based on pupil projections for the primary sector – Cheadle Hulme, Heatons and Marple.

·         Repayment of the £25m investment would be made using £14m of CM grants over a 9 year period and the £10.3m BN allocation expected in 2019/2020.

·         An Executive Board comprising of the Cabinet Member for Education, the Borough Treasurer, the Director for Education and the Head of Commissioning School Places had been established.

·         The estimate for Year 7 intake figures for the period 2018-2025.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report for the Director for Education Services.

The report outline the current position in relation to specialist school provision within the borough, and to describe the operational and financial challenges faced by the Council as the number of pupils who require special educational need places expands beyond the current capacity.

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

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

The Director for Education Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the current position in relation to specialist school provision within the borough and describing the operational and financial challenges faced by the Council as the number of pupils who require special educational needs places expands beyond the current capacity.

The following comments were made/issues made:-

·         The Committee noted that the demand for Local Authority special school placements was being felt in both the primary and secondary sectors but that the demand pressures facing the primary sector were increasing quicker as the number of children on an EHC Plan was increasing faster that the general population.

·         A Councillor asked for clarification on how the five key principles in the Options appraisal had been arrived at and what discussions had taken place in respect to addressing pressures both at the present time and in the future on the secondary sector.

·         The Committee noted the plans to build a larger replacement Lisburne School and that due to the proposed increase in the size of the school a public consultation was required.

·         A number of members suggested that an investigation should be carried out at the earliest opportunity to find a site that could also accommodate secondary provision at a later stage.

·         Councillors sought assurance on the borrowing costs associated with the scheme and on how they would be financed.

·         There was broad support for the proposals in spite of the risks that had been highlighted. It was suggested and agreed that Offerton Ward Councillors be briefed on the proposals.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that the Cabinet Member for Education and Director for Education be requested to provide regular updates to the Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of Councillor Tom Dowse.

The report outlines the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel.

The Scrutiny Committee are requested to approve the final report prior to submission to the Cabinet for consideration.

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) outlining the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel: Open Space Provision for 14-19 year olds.

Councillors Allan, Finnie and Taylor presented the report and thanked all those officers and external partners who had contributed to the review.

RESOLVED – That the report be approved and it be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration.

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.