Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 10 July 2019 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 Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services and Education.

The Summer Review of the Medium Term Financial Plan highlights the continued uncertainty, complexity and volatility facing local government funding - presenting significant challenges for local citizens and their local public services. To do this responsibly, whilst also supporting the ambition for Stockport, the Cabinet introduced a medium term strategy (fig.1) in 2018 to frame the choices the Council will make about its budget, both next year and in future years.

The Cabinet remain committed to engaging widely on proposals and this report includes those draft proposals that fall within this Committee’s remit. Alongside any new proposals this paper also includes an update on those proposals which were agreed for further development by Cabinet in February 2019.

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

Officer Contact: Holly Rae on Tel: 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services and Education submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the Medium Term Financial Programme and on the development of proposals which had been agreed by the Cabinet in February 2019.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors discussed the response to the SEND inspection undertaken in September 2018 by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. They noted the excellent work undertaken by officers in the Directorate and thanked them for their efforts.

·         The impact of proposed savings on staffing.

·         The successful efforts undertaken to recruit and increase the number of Foster Carers – it was acknowledged that this was a continuous challenge and that the ambition was always to place children in care within the borough.

·         The Chair sought assurances that every effort would be made to mitigate the impact of the proposals on individuals effected by the SEND Transport proposals.

·         The Committee discussed in detail the proposal relating to Stockport Local Transport and noted the Cabinet Members response in respect to the mitigating measures that will be put in place in an effort to protect the most vulnerable children and young adults.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides an update on Stockport’s preparations for the UK’s departure from the European Union.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on Stockport’s preparations for the UK’s departure from the European Union.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report outlines planned agenda items for consideration at future meetings of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report and suggest items for consideration at future meetings.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 0161 474 3206 or email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the next meeting and relevant entries in the Forward Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Youth Justice Plan headlines achievements against last year’s plan and

outlines the priorities, opportunities and challenges for the coming year. The

work of Stockport’s youth justice service delivery is monitored through the

Youth Offending Services Partnership Board (YOS PB), which in turn reports

through the Children’s Senior Management Team (SMT) and the Safer

Stockport Partnership (SSP). Stockport Children’s Safeguarding Board

(SSCB) also receives updates and reports as required. The Youth Justice Plan

is a key document on the Council’s Forward Plan; therefore, it goes through

full democratic processes for scrutiny and comment before final approval.

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

Officer Contact: Jacqui Bellfield-Smith on Tel: 0161 474 4744 or email: Jacqui.bellfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Youth Justice Plan headline achievements against last year’s plan and outlining priorities, opportunities and challenges for the forthcoming year.

Councillors welcomed the report and thanked officers for the excellent work undertaken over the course of the past year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides a commentary on serious youth violence and a briefing note on knife crime and the actions taken to respond and address the two issues.

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

Officer Contact: Jacqui Bellfield-Smith on Tel: 0161 474 4744 or email: Jacqui.bellfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining how the Council and its partners have responded to the report ‘Keeping Kids Safe’ published by the Children’s Commissioner in February 2019 in efforts to address serious youth violence and to identify children who are at risk of gang affiliation and involvement in serious crime, including knife crime.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.