Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2012.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 December 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Councillor                             Interest

Colin Foster                          Agenda item 4 as a Governor of Priestnall and Norris Bank schools.

Maureen Rowles                 Agenda item 4 as a Governor or Westmorland Primary School.

Ann Smith                             Agenda item 4 as a Governor of Bridgehall Primary School.

Wendy Meikle                       Any item on the agenda relating to Children in Care as she worked with children in care.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Strategy and Performance)

The report presents for discussion the consultation of the school admission arrangements at maintained schools in Stockport for 2013/14 and catchment areas.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the consultation document.

Officer contact: Donna Sager on tel: 474 3928 or email: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Strategy and Performance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the proposed school admission arrangements at maintained schools in Stockport for 2013/14 and in respect to catchment areas.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         This was the first time that the annual consultation had been brought to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration. The report will also be presented to Admissions Forum.

·         Councillors were of the opinion that the current catchment areas should wherever possible remain the same as they were well established and on the whole understood by parents and the local community.

·         The advice and support provided by the Admissions Team to parents is crucial in helping them understand the allocations process.

·         The number of Admission Appeals had risen sharply over the last few years – partly due to an increase in the birth rate but also due to parents had a better understanding of their right to appeal.

·         Councillors suggested that parents should have a greater say and be consulted on the school holiday timetable.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be referred to the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) and the Admissions Forum for consideration.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Strategy and Performance)

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with a summary of the recent guidance issued to support the transition of public health functions to the Local Authority, detailing the progress and activities which have taken place to date.

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

Officer Contact: Donna Sager on Tel: 474 3928 or email: donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Strategy and Performance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with an update on the recent guidance which had been issued to support the transition of public health functions from the Primary Care Trust to the Local Authority.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The current spend by the Primary Care Trust on Public Health was in the region of £9.5m and it was hoped that the Local Authority would receive a similar level of funding when the responsibility for Public Health provision transferred.

·         It was anticipated that the public health duties and the 40 PCT staff would transfer to the Local Authority in October 2012.

·         There needed to be a clear flow of information between the various bodies responsible for safeguarding children particularly in view of the emergence of a number of Academies in the borough.

·         The full range of commissioning responsibilities to be assigned to Local Authorities.

·         The challenge of addressing childhood obesity.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Service Director (Strategy and Performance) be requested to provide regular updates to future meetings of the Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provided the Scrutiny Committee with an update on school exclusions and the support provided to schools in dealing with challenging young people.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Bates on tel: 474 3832 or email: richard.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Learning and Achievement) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on school exclusions and the support provided to schools in dealing with challenging young people.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         During the academic year 2010/2011 forty-seven pupils were permanently excluded from schools which represented a 4% decrease on the previous year and maintained a general downward trend.

·         Sixteen pupils had been permanently excluded so far in 2011/2012 which is a 41% decrease compared to the same period on 2010/2011.

·         The number of fixed term exclusions issued in the current academic year has decreased by 18%, the number of pupils excluded by 15% and the number of school days lost by 19% compared to the same period in 2010/2011.

·         The ‘Managed Transfer’ system for students at risk of exclusion had significantly helped reduce the number of fixed or permanent exclusions. Thirty-seven Managed Transfers were arranged in 2010/2011 with an 89% success rate.

·         Officers were currently working with headteachers to establish a further level of support to secondary pupils aged 11-14 at risk of becoming marginalised and possibly excluded. These pupils will have access to a Prevent, Provide Support Team (PPST) based outside the school and taking upto eight young pupils at a time for a period of 6-8 weeks.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and officers be thanked for their excellent work in reducing levels of permanent and fixed terms exclusions.

(2) That the Service Director (Learning & Achievement) be requested to provide an update to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on the impact of the Prevent, Provide Support Team.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report details the proceedings of the Children’s Trust Board on 13 December 2011.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Steve Fox on tel: 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) detailing the discussions which took place at the meeting of the Children’s Trust Board on 13 December 2011.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Clarification was sought and provided in respect to the reporting of incidents of violence involving young children.

·         Ensuring that private care homes had the appropriate planning permission prior to the Local Authority placing any children in them and the importance of sharing information with other Local Authorities in respect to this issue.

·         The need for the Local Authority to be pro-active when sharing information with Ofsted prior to inspections at private care homes.

RESOLVED – That the resume be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

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: Steve Fox on tel: 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 Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.