Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held 7 September 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the inclusion of Councillors Oliver Johnstone and Wendy Wild in the list of attendees for the meeting and to the amendment of ‘Olive Johnstone’ to read ‘Oliver Johnstone’ under Agenda Item 2 – ‘Declarations of Interest’.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families.

Within this report and appendix we outline our strategic approach in responding to the review of the medium-term financial plan. This follows on from the report presented at the Cabinet meeting on the 28th September 2022. Whilst Stockport Council continues to develop opportunities for further enhancing the lives of our residents, we are also in a period of unprecedented uncertainty. Factors include the high levels of price inflation, interest rate changes, and uncertainty around volatile energy prices certainly beyond 6 months. In addition we are still without any means to accurately forecast the Government Settlement, Government assistance even via a levy on adult social care and wage settlements. Furthermore there are global issues, such as the war in Ukraine and energy supply generally, which are totally unpredictable.

This report outlines the budget proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report and the proposals presented within the report relevant to the remit of this committee.

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

The Corporate Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining a strategic approach in responding to the review of the medium-term financial plan and the budget proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that many families had opened their homes to people fleeing Ukraine and it was suggested that there was the potential to use this as an opportunity to further promote fostering opportunities.  In response, it was stated that the Council worked with over 150 other authorities to promote the important of fostering with intensive recruitment activities taking place.

·         In response to a query around the decision-making for the placement of a child, it was stated that the process was complex but that the child’s needs were at the heart of any decision that was taken.  It was emphasised that this was independently monitored.

·         The Council already had systems in place that worked hard to keep children out of care, however there was more work that could be done in this area.

·         It was noted that the cost of external placements was currently £8.622m which included an overspend of £3m.  However, this nonetheless compared favourably with other authorities in the north west.  It was commented that the cost of care for some children with the highest needs can be around £14,000 per week.

·         The proposal to offer more inhouse placement was welcomed.

·         Work was taking place to identify suitable properties for conversion into children’s homes to provide these additional placements.

·         There was a high level of confidence that the Council would be able to successfully recruit to the new children’s homes.

·         Questions were asked in relation to the implications for the budget setting process in general, and on children’s services in particular, of a potential freeze in the rate of Council Tax.  It was suggested that when the proposals returned to the Scrutiny Committee, that information was provided in relation to the impact that varying levels of Council Tax increases and a freeze in the Council Tax would have on the budget for the service.

·         It was noted that the current suite of proposals contained in the report was light in detail and it was anticipated that the Scrutiny Committee would receive more detailed proposals at its January 2023 meeting.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families.

The Youth Justice Plan is a statutory annual plan that is required under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The report sets out the Youth Offending Partnership’s responsibilities in producing this plan and states that it is the duty of each local authority, after consultation with the partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual youth justice plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to endorse the Youth Justice Plan for 2022/23.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith on 0161 474 4744 or email: jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing for comment the Youth Justice Plan 2022/2023 which outlined achievements against last years’ plan, priorities for the future and opportunities/challenges for the forthcoming year.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         In response to questions regarding the rates of offending for and the age profile of those offenders, it was stated that a breakdown of the nature of those offences would be circulated to members separately.  It was noted that in the most part, they were not related to school-based violence.

·         Activities had taken place in schools with a view to reduce offending, with particular regard to knife crime which had seen an ‘On the Edge’ knife programme delivered to 10,000 children in the borough in conjunction with Greater Manchester Police.

·         There was a high level of confidence in the data on youth offending provided within the report as a result of the clear focus across Greater Manchester and from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office to work hard to keep children out of the criminal justice system.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the costs associated with holding children on remand which was borne by the local authority.  It was noted these costs could escalate quickly due to the necessary delays in processing a child through the system particularly where this involved parallel proceedings with adults.

·         The thanks of the Scrutiny Committee were extended to all those involved in drafting the report and for those who worked in youth justice.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance).

The report sets out planned agenda 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 the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah on 0161 474 3206 or email:

Charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any relevant Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) be requested to make arrangements for the following items to be programmed onto the agenda for a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee: -

·         National Youth Guarantee

·         Family Drug & Alcohol Court