Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 May 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 2 July 2014 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 interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services for People.

The report updates the Committee on the developments regarding the Integrated Children’s Service, with particular focus on service delivery, and our aims to improve effectiveness and outcomes for our most vulnerable children and young people.

The Scrutiny Committee are 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, Services for People (submitted a report) copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on developments regarding the integration of Children’s Services with particular focus on service delivery with the aim to improve effectiveness and outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Integrated Children’s Service (ICS) will provide intensive, integrated whole family support for children, young people, families and younger adults – a joint service across the NHS Foundation Trust and the Council.

·         Managers appointed have been drawn from all services comprising the Integrated Children’s Service, including both Council and NHS.

·         The implementation of the Integrated Children’s Service is designed to lead to a further rationalisation of services and will include a review of the current configuration of Children’s Centres to ensure that resources are used most effectively to support children and families which may lead to centres ceasing to operate as registered children’s centres.

·         Councillors welcomed the integrated family lead approach and asked for further updates on the future designation of children’s centres and whether the number of hubs will reduce.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an update to the Scrutiny Committee on issues relating to special educational needs and disability reforms for children and young people aged 0-25.

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

Officer Contact: Cath Millington on Tel: 474 2563 or email: cath.millington@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Services to People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) explaining changes to the delivery of services to children and young people with SEN and disabilities. The report explained that from September 2014, there will be a single assessment process which would result in an Education, Health and Care Plan which brought together services which focused on improving outcomes and providing an offer of a personal budget for families.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The impact of the reforms and personalisation of budgets on schools.

·         Academies had a statutory responsibility to comply.

·         Arrangements for resolving disputes would still lie with tribunals, however it was hoped and anticipated that the increased number of meetings with families would resolve disputes more than ever before and negate the need for tribunals.

·         The process of transition for those young people who are already in the system.

·         The legal test of when a child or young person requires an Education, Health and Care plan remained the same as that for a statement. It is expected that all those who have a statement would be transferred to an EHC plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Governing Body of Marple Hall School has published a statutory proposal to extend the age range of the School from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide sixth form education from September 2015. The proposal falls to be determined by the Local Authority and a final decision must be taken by no later than 26 September 2014, otherwise it must be referred to the Schools Adjudicator for determination.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the proposal and decision-making guidance and to comment upon the proposals.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director, Services for People, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the proposal of the Governing Body of Marple Hall School to provide a sixth form education from September 2015.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed that student numbers would not be sufficient to provide a wide curriculum opportunity in the proposed sixth form which would demand specialist teachers.

·         It was highly unlikely that the Local Authority could fund any new build projects. Considerable investment would be required for internal reorganisation and the authority would also find this a significant challenge.

·         Councillors noted that there was strong support amongst parents for the proposals.

·         Concern was expressed at how existing year groups would be affected should the proposals be approved.

·         The request was symptomatic of the fragmentation of the education system as a whole where competition had been encouraged – with competition, there would always be winners and losers. Risks would need to be taken that could be detrimental to the education of young people.

·         Given the significance of the decision, concern was expressed at the time period within which the consultation had to be conducted and a decision made.

It was then

RESOLVED (6 for, 0 against, 3 abstentions) - That based on the evidence available and presented to the Scrutiny Committee, the Executive be informed that the Scrutiny Committee does not support the proposal to extend the age range of Marple Hall School from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide sixth form education from September 2015.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider proposals for Lum Head Primary School (Gatley) and St Thomas’ CE Primary School (Heaton Chapel) to expand the number of places available at the schools in support of the local authority’s response to pupil place pressures.

The Scrutiny Committee are 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, Services for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to consider proposals for Lum Head Primary School (Gatley) and St Thomas’ CE Primary School (Heaton Chapel) to expand the number of places available at the schools in support of the local authority’s response to pupil place pressures.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the proposals detailed in the report be supported.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning &  Achievement)

The report sets out the Executive response to the Scrutiny Committee Review on Exclusions.

The Scrutiny Committee are requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Phil Beswick email: phil.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) and the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Executive Councillor’s response to the Scrutiny Review of Exclusions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report requests the Committee to consider the process for the selection of

Scrutiny Review topics by Scrutiny Committees to be carried out during the 2014/15 municipal year.

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

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on Tel: 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the process for the selection of Scrutiny Review topics by Scrutiny Committees to be carried out during the 2014/2015 municipal year.

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 items for future meetings of the Scrutiny 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, Services for People be requested to submit a report to a future meeting in respect to the short breaks project and the opportunities available to disabled children.