Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 October 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 October 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Colin Foster.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Colin Foster.

A representative of the Corporate Director for People attended the meeting and provided an update following the consultation on changes to Schools Funding and explained that a further detailed report would be submitted to a future meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and a further detailed report be submitted to a future meeting.

(Note: The Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section100 B 4 (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 to enable the Area Committee to consider as a matter of urgency the outcomes on the consultation of the proposed new model)

Representatives of the Corporate Director for People attended the meeting and reported on the initial findings from the consultation on the proposed new model for the Integrated Prevention and Universal Service which had run from 14 October 2013 to 28 November 2013 and on the proposal to cease the operation of Storybus with greater emphasis being placed on Bookstart (including Bookstart Corner)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Corporate Director for People be requested to provide regular updates to the Scrutiny Committee on the implementation of the new delivery model and the consequences of ceasing the operation of the Storybus should the Executive choose to do so.

To consider a report of the Independent Chair, Stockport Safeguarding Children Board.

The report outlines the activities of the Stockport Safeguarding Children Board in 2012/2013

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

Officer Contact: Chris Mcloughlin on Tel: 474 4624 or email: chris.mcloughlin@stockport.gov.uk

David Mellor, Independent Chair of the Stockport Safeguarding Children Board submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an outline of the main activity and achievements of the Board from April 2012 to March 2013 and providing an assessment of the effectiveness of safeguarding activity in Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The number of referrals to the Contact Centre for a Children’s Social Care assessment was 2691 compared to 3359 referrals for the previous year which was the highest annual figure ever recorded. Those cases which did not meet the need for specialist assessment were referred back through the Supporting Families Pathway for the offer of early help.

·         Safeguarding children and having a competent and well trained workforce remained a high priority in Stockport reflected in the breadth of single agency training provision as well as attendance at the multi-agency programme. Income generated through non-attendance charges had been used to pay for additional administrator time and to commission the e-learning safeguarding programme for managers.

RESOLVED – That David Mellor be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

To consider reports of the Executive Councillors Children & 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

a) Children and Young People

The Executive Councillor (Children and Young People) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the portfolio and performance resource report for the second quarter 2013/2014.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Council had been part of a successful cluster bid with Cheshire East, Wirral and Trafford Council’s to take part in the New Belongings Scheme.

·         The new Ofsted Framework for the inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, looked after children and care leavers came into effect in November 2013.

·         Councillors discussed the measures put in place to address the findings from the Ofsted inspections of the Bredbury and Marple Group of Children’s Centres.

·         Councillors noted the significant increase in the number of children subject to a domestic abuse referral during the first six months of the year and this was most likely attributable to an improved recognition of domestic abuse and better pathways for dealing with domestic abuse.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

b) Lifelong Learning and Achievement

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the portfolio and performance resource report for the second quarter 2013/2014.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted that Stockport’s educational performance against all attainment measures in 2013 was higher than the national average.

·         The Council had secured funding from the Skills Funding Agency to open an Apprenticeship Store.

·         The rate of permanent exclusions in Stockport’s Secondary Schools increased further in 2012/2013 – the Scrutiny Review Panel would continue to meet in the New Year and would report back to the Scrutiny Committee in due course.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an update on the impact of Raising the Participation Age (RPA) in Stockport.

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

Officer Contact: Alison Cresswell on Tel: 474 2351 or email: alison.cresswell@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 an update on Raising the Participation Age (RPA) in Stockport. The report further outlined the activities of the 14-19 Services including plans for meeting future challenges.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report outlines the outcomes of the consultation and requests the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the report prior to its consideration of the Executive.

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

Officer Contact: Stephen Bell on Tel: 474 3846 or email: stephen.bell@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the outcomes of the consultation and seeking comments on the proposed recommendation to the Executive to approve the publication of statutory notices for a number of proposed primary school expansions.

RESOLVED – That the report 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: 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 – That the report be noted.