Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 29 May 2013 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.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

There were no call in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report summarises the consultation process carried out in relation to the savings proposals agreed for consultation by the Executive on 18 February 2013.

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

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

A joint report (copies of which had been circulated)of the Executive Councillors (Children & Young People) and (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) was submitted summarising the consultation process carried out in relation to the savings proposals agreed for consultation by the Executive on 18 February 2013.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Councillors stressed the need to ensure that any changes to the structure of the Contact Centre should not have a detrimental impact on the Supporting Families Pathway Work Programme and Advice and other proposals should also be considered in relation to the postcodes of the responses.

·         Further clarification was sought in respect to the future potential of whether the Play Development Team could be maintained as a social enterprise and the process involved.

·         Councillors requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting in respect to zero hour based contracting.

·         It was suggested that schools should be encouraged to look at the possibility of using Pupil Premium money for the funding of play development.

·         Councillors acknowledged the benefits associated with the Disability Short Breaks Service and enquired about funding.

·         Councillors expressed concern that around 30% of children starting school were not ready and had not reached the expected levels of the Early Years Foundation Stage profile. They noted however that Stockport was doing well when compared to other Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and that work was on-going to reduce this figure further.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and the Executive Councillors be requested to take into account the comments of the Scrutiny Committee.

(2) That the Corporate Director for Services to People be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on zero hour based contracts.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report sets out the draft portfolio performance and resource agreements 2013/2014 for the Children and Young People and Lifelong Learning & Achievement portfolio holders.

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

Officer Contact: Michael Henry on Tel: 474 3830 or email: michael.henry@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the draft portfolio performance and resource agreements for 2013/2014 in respect to the Children and Young People and Lifelong Learning & Achievement portfolio holders. The agreements outlined the functions within the control of the Portfolios, the revenue budget, capital programme, key objectives, projects and measures and risks which would form the basis of the quarterly portfolio reports.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider reports of the Executive Councillors Children & Young People and Lifelong Learning & Achievement.

The report sets out performance for the final quarter and year end 2012/13 against the performance measures included in the Health & Wellbeing Individual Portfolio Agreement.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Michael Henry on Tel: 474 3830 or email: michael.henry@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillors (Children and Young People) and (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out performance in the final quarter and year end 2012/2013 against the performance measures included in their portfolio agreements.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         In respect to page 115 of the report it was noted that St Elizabeth’s RC expansion should read ‘St Elizabeth’s CE expansion.’

·         Councillors requested a report to a future meeting explaining the reasons for the increase in numbers of children on child protection plans.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and a further report be submitted to a future meeting explaining the reasons for the increase in numbers of children on child protection plans.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and the 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: Stephen 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 agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report ne noted.

(2) That a report be submitted to the next meeting providing further details on this year’s planned Scrutiny Review topics.