Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 December 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 & Prejudicial Interest

Reference EDLLA20 – School Meal Service Level Agreement

The Scrutiny Committee was informed that the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) had agreed not to renew the current Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Solutions SK for school meals.

The decision of the Executive had been ‘called in’ by Councillors Colin Foster, Sheila Bailey and Laura Booth

Councillors Foster and Bailey outlined the reasons why they had called the decision in. They explained that they were concerned that a decision of such importance had not been presented for consideration to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and that in their opinion it had not been communicated to schools in an adequate and effective manner. Added to which, they expressed concern that there had been an administrative error in that the decision of the Executive Councillor had not been published in November 2013 in accordance with the Access to Information Rules as required by the Council Constitution.

Councillors Foster and Bailey answered Councillors questions in respect to why they had called the decision in for scrutiny.

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement) (Councillor Shan Alexander) and the Services Director, Transformation and Commissioning) (Donna Sager) responded to the issues raised. Councillors Alexander outlined the options considered when the decision was made and explained that the report detailed at agenda item 4 ‘Corporate Schools Meals SLA’ provided further information.  Donna Sager expressed regret that the decision had not been published in the usual manner and confirmed that the Corporate Director for People would write to all staff reminding them that it was essential that all decisions taken by the Executive Councillor are published in accordance with the Access to Information requirements. She further outlined how the decisions had been communicated to schools and the support that officers in the People Directorate would give to schools as the change in contract arrangement takes effect.

Councillor Alexander and Donna Sager answered members’ questions in respect to the Executive decision.

It was then

RESOLVED – That no further action be taken in respect to the call in of EDLLA20 – School Meal Service Level Agreement.

There were no further call-in items to consider.

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

To consider a report of the Service Director (Commissioning & Transformation)

The Scrutiny 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

The Chair reported that this item had been dealt with during consideration of Call – In EMDLLA20: School Meal Service Level Agreement.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider the outcomes of the consultation exercise and comment on the proposals to approve the publication of statutory notices for the proposed expansion of the following schools (from September 2015) Arden Primary School to 3 forms of entry, Greave Primary School to 1.5 forms of entry and St Elisabeth’s CE Primary School to 1.5 forms of entry.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the outcomes of the consultation into the expansion of Arden, Greave and St Elizabeth’s CE primary schools.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Executive be recommended to approve the publication of statutory notices for the proposed primary school expansions.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

At the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 4 December 2013 there was a request for a more detailed report on the Bookstart Corner Programme, which is delivered through Children’s Centres. Bookstart Corner is a national programme developed by the Booktrust and is a home based intervention programme. The report provides the information as requested.

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

Officer Contact: Viki Packman on Tel: 474-5753 or email: viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information in respect to the Bookstart Corner Programme which was delivered through Children’s Centres.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides information relating to the Education Funding Settlement and Local Funding Formula for 2014/2015.

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

Officer Contact: Simon Finch on Tel: 474 4019 or email: simon.finch@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the key announcements made by the Department for Education on the education funding settlement for 2014/2015 including the recommendations made by the Schools Forum.

RESOLVED – That the details of the Education Funding Settlement for 2014/2015 be noted and the Executive be recommended to approve the amendment of the local formula for 2014/2015 as detailed in the report.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report outlines the proceedings of the Children’s Trust Board meeting held on 18 December 2013.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider and comment on 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) outlining the proceeding of the last meeting of the Children’s Trust Board on 18 December 2013.

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 and the Corporate Director for People be requested to submit a report to the next meeting in respect to zero hour based contracts.