Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2012.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 13 June 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) and the Corporate Director for People.

The report provided the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the performance of the Service in 2011/12.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

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

The Corporate Director for People and the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the performance of the Directorate in 2011/12.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed that now that the Mind Exercise Nutrition Do It! (MEND) programme had ended, the All Together Active (A2A) programme would be unable to cope with the additional referrals. It was explained that anyone on the waiting list for the programme were also referred to the Change for Life website.

·         Efforts being made to improve local employment opportunities for young people Not in Education, Employment or Training.

·         The collection of data in relation to the percentage of pupils achieving the required level at the Early Years Foundation Stage.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the shortfall in school nurses.

·         The management of key vacancies within the Directorate.

·         The decrease in teenage conception rates for 15-17 year olds was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and further information be circulated in relation to the management of key vacancies within the Directorate.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides details on the Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) setting out in detail the priority outcomes, measures, budgets, projects and risks which will form the basis for Portfolio reports during 2012/13.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider the Portfolio Agreements.

Officer Contact: Michael Henry on 474 3840 or email: michael.henry@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details on the Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreements (PPRAs) setting out in detail the priority outcomes, measures, budgets, projects and risks which will form the basis for Portfolio reports during 2012/13.

The Executive Councillors (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) and (Children & Young People) attended the meeting and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the report.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for People and the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) be requested to submit a report to a future meeting following the review into free school transport provision for children with a statement of Special Educational Need.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report outlines the local response to reduce the impact and effects of child poverty, specifically the key collaborative programmes which the Child Poverty Strategy Group will drive forward in 2012/13.

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

Officer Contact: Viki Packman on 474 5709 or email: viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the local response to reduce the impact and effects of child poverty, specifically the key collaborative programmes which the Child Poverty Strategy Group will drive forward in 2012/13.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The report draws to the Scrutiny Committees attention that the Department for Education (DfE) has released a series of consultation documents over the past 12-18 months outlining their intent to introduce a National Funding Formula (NFF) for schools in the next Comprehensive Spending Review period. The final consultation document “Next steps towards a fairer system” released in March 2012, outlined the first phase of changes, aimed at simplifying funding arrangements, that will be  implemented from April 2013 and cover the financial years 2013-15. On 29^th June the Secretary of State issued the full arrangements for 2013/14 together with operational guidance.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the Stockport Schools Funding Formula Consultation document.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Funding would be allocated in three notional blocks: Schools block, Early Years Block and High Needs Block.

·         Schools would be consulted between July and September with a view to a simplified local formula being introduced from April 2013, a new national formula would not be introduced until April 2015 at the earliest.

·         To ensure stability, a minimum funding guarantee would maintain funding at -1.5% per pupil.

·         In future budgets would be provided to schools based on information collected in an October census.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update in respect to the Public Health Transition from the NHS to the Local Authority from April 2013.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in respect to the Public Health Transition from the NHS to the Local Authority from April 2013.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The submission of a revised baseline spending return to the Department of Health which has increased the expected baseline from £9.1m to £10.0m.

·         Final confirmation of the numbers of staff transferring to the Local Authority was yet to be confirmed but it was expected that 38 staff would TUPE to the Local Authority.

·         NHS Stockport had provided a budget to support the costs of transition and capacity had been identified within Stopford House and Fred Perry House to locate staff.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and an update in respect of the transition be provided to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

To select a Scrutiny Review Topic for 2012/2013. At the last meeting suggested topics included:-

·         Children’s Care Homes in Stockport

·         Childhood Health in Stockport

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to select a Scrutiny Review Topic for 2012/2013 and to appoint Councillors to sit on the Scrutiny Panel.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on 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) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to determine a Scrutiny Review Topic for 2012/13 and to appoint Councillors to sit on the Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED – That the Council’s relationship with privately run Children’s Care Homes be selected as the Scrutiny Review topic and the following councillors be nominated to sit on the Panel:-

Councillor Paul Porgess (Chair)

Councillor Laura Booth

Councillor Colin Foster

Councillor Wendy Orrell

Councillor William Wragg

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 items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on 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 agenda items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That an update be provided to a future meeting in respect to progress made addressing problems associated with bullying.