Agenda

Councillors who require a substitute to be appointed should inform Democratic Services by 4.00pm on Friday 17January 2025 (Councillors who wish to arrange their own substitute should inform Democratic Services of their substitute prior to the commencement of the meeting).

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2024.

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

To consider call-in items (if any).

To consider a report of the Executive Director People and Neighbourhoods.

The report outlines how the programme fits into the context of the wider change proposals, budget setting and the in-year financial position and provides more details following the November scrutiny committees on how this programme fits into the wider context of the budget.

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

Officer contact: Gill Lawton | 0161 474 3014 | gill.lawton@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works and Skills.

The report outlines the recent consultation on and makes recommendations for amendments to the admission arrangements and published admission numbers for community and voluntary controlled infant, primary, junior and secondary schools in Stockport for which Stockport Council is the admission authority and also outlines the consultation that has taken place on the proposal to amalgamate Lark Hill Nursery School and Lark Hill Primary School and change the age range at Lark Hill Primary School following the announcement of the retirement of the Headteacher at Lark Hill Nursery School.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and to note the report.

Officer contact: Chris Harland | 0161 521 1707 | chris.harland1@stockport.gov.uk

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

The report provides an update on the key announcements made by the Department for Education (DfE) on the education funding settlement for 2025/26.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the report.

Officer contact: Peter Hughes | 0161 474 3947 | peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works and Skills.

The report provides a framework on which a school place plan can be devised for short, medium, and longer-term sufficiency and sits alongside the Borough Plan, Children and Young People’s Strategy, the Schools Strategy, the SEND Strategy, the Skills Plan, and other associated strategic documents.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Christopher Harland | 0161 521 1707 | christopher.harland1@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works & Skills.

The report provides an update on the progress made against the Schools Strategy that was adopted by Cabinet in September 2023.  It provides an update on each of the priorities which were set to provide a roadmap to guide the partnership work over the next five years.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the report.

Officer contact: Lynn Perry | 0161 474 3488 | lynn.perry@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Executive Director of People and Neighbourhoods.

The report provides an update on the work underway to understand, identify and address child poverty that includes: -

·       The current context and our understanding of child poverty nationally and in Stockport;

·       A view of the work to address children living in poverty in Stockport. Framed by the Stockport Anti-Poverty Objectives 2024 – 2027; and

·       Key next steps and areas of focus.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Heidi Shaw | 0161 218 1179 | Heidi.shaw@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and the Work Programme 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 | 0161 474 3206 | Charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk