Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2014.

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

(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 Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in view of national concerns in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation).

The Chair invited the Corporate Director for People to make a statement in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) to provide the Scrutiny Committee with reassurance that sufficient measures were in place to detect and respond to wide-spread CSE.

The Corporate Director for People, accompanied by officers from the Children’s Social Care, stated that the Council and its partners were engaged in ongoing activity to protect children but that it would never be possible to eliminate the risk to children and that there was always more improvements to be made. He also highlighted the work taking place at a Greater Manchester level, most notably Project Phoenix which was a multi-agency group responding to CSE, and which was currently engaged with a number of cases which may result in prosecutions. He also highlighted Operation Windermere that was a local operation developed to address previous investigations and that sought to place the victim at its centre, which was currently being reviewed by an Independent expert commissioned by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Councillors asked questions/ made comments in relation to the following issues:-

·         The sanctions or controls staff in care homes have over young residents who were at risk in order to prevent them leaving. In response it was stated that this was an ongoing challenge but that the aim of the Service was to provide high quality support work that worked closely with residents, as well as providing as close to a normal home environment as possible. The Council also worked closely with the Police to respond to any children who are missing.

·         Significant obstacles to protecting children from CSE. In response it was suggested that a more coordinated response across Greater Manchester would be helpful, but that barriers were often related to detecting and investigating CSE rather than in the willingness of agencies to respond to report, due in part to the organised criminal gangs involved and the mechanisms and lengths that individuals went to avoid detection. Significant support was needed for the victims of CSE, particularly to prepare them for court.

·         The creation of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), and the dedicated CSE support workers co-located within it, had provided opportunities for improvements.

·         Given the high number of independent children’s homes in Stockport with other authorities placements, the monitoring and support done by the Council. In response it was stated that placing Local Authorities must notify the receiving Local Authority, but that concerns remained about the effectiveness of this process. Regulations were changing to oblige any provider to notify the host Local Authority when they accept a child.

·         Preventative work taking place in schools, such as relationship education, and in particular within faith schools. There was a close working relationship will all schools, who would readily take advice, and Public Health resources had been used toward an education officer to support sex/health/CSE agenda. Schools employed a ‘spiral curriculum’ to ensure age appropriate messages.

RESOLVED – (1) That the update be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to provide further information about:-

·         whether 12-14 year olds were receiving education about CSE/ Relationship; and

·         the roll-out of Operation Phoenix information packs to school.

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director for People and the Executive Councillors Children & Young People and Lifelong Learning & Achievement.

The report provides the first quarter portfolio performance and resource reports for the Children & Young People and Lifelong Learning & Achievement Portfolios. It summarises progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during the first quarter of 2014/2015 and includes early performance and financial data for each portfolio.

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

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

The Corporate Director for People submitted a report submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the first Portfolio Performance and Resources Report for the Children & Young People and Lifelong Learning & Achievement portfolios. The reports provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and programmes during the first quarter of 2014/2015.

The Executive Councillors Children & Young People (Councillor Wendy Meikle) and Lifelong Learning & Achievement (Councillor Shan Alexander) attended the meeting and answered Councillors questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concerns were raised about the overrunning of work at the new Castle Hill School site and the monitoring of the contract. In response it was stated that health and safety concerns arose that prevented the completion of the site on time, and contractors provided additional people were on site to complete the work. However, the school had now opened and was a fantastic environment. Tribute was paid to the commitment of staff to ensure the school was opened when it did.

·         In relation to universal free school meals it was stated that further work was needed to ensure compliance by schools in the voluntary aided sector.

·         A query was asked about whether the relationship between the Council and convertor academies might impact on the fulfilment of statutory duties under The Children and Families Act 2014. In response it was stated that the Council was fulfilling its duties, but that the Council was always seeking to improve its engagement with schools.

·         In response to a question about raising the education participation age, it was stated that the service was working hard to ensure destination data was available, and that there was a challenge around those on C/D GCSE boarder line. Local colleges were working to provide alternatives for young people who may have missed their target grades. It was hoped to have more accurate data in the coming months.

·         Further information was sought on the Fostering to Adopt placements. It was stated that the greater flexibility these placements provided had led to adoptions.

·         It was queried whether the MASH would be responding to children running away from care. In response it was stated that great efforts were being made in this area, but that due to the guidelines that needed to be worked to, often young people were reported as missing when they were late to return to their care setting.

·         In relation to a query about figures on childhood obesity it was stated that nationally there remained a challenge to address, but that it was anticipated that locally there would be a slowing or stopping of the increase in childhood obesity.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to provide additional information on the on the financial impact of preparing for universal free school meals on the Voluntary Aided School Sector.

To consider a report of Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer and Community Services)

At its meeting on 15 July 2014, the Executive received a Medium Term Financial Forecast that indicated a budget reduction requirement of £22.453m for 2015/16, and forecast a cumulative reduction requirement of £39.419m in 2016/17, rising to £64.5m by 2018/19. In response to those forecasts, and in line with its previous deliberations and statements of intent, the Executive agreed the strategic framework for Investing in Stockport (IIS), a single programme of sustainable growth and public service reform in the Borough over the medium term.

At its most recent meeting on 12 August the Executive brought forward a set of proposals informed by the strategic framework and designed to address the budget reduction requirement.  Executive Councillors agreed that there should be a report to all scrutiny committees in the next cycle outlining the proposals relating to each committee’s remit.  Confirmation of which proposals fall within the remit of which Committee is provided at Appendix 1.

The business case working papers that were made available to the Executive Councillors accompany this report have been updated to include additional information in relation to the potential risks and impacts associated with the proposed changes.

All scrutiny committees are being requested during this cycle of meetings to comment upon the approach being taken by the Executive to address the need to make substantial savings over the next two years, and the specific proposals brought forward for consultation.

It is recommended, therefore, that the Scrutiny Committee comments upon both the overall approach being taken by the Executive and the specific proposals detailed in the accompanying documents, where they fall within the remit of that Committee.

Officer contact: Steve Houston / Laureen Donnan; 0161 474 4000 / 3180 or email: steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk or laureen.donnan@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) submitted a report Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Executive’s proposals to respond to the Medium Term Financial Forecast considered by the Executive In July 2015. At its meeting in August, the Executive endorsed for consultation a set of proposals, in accordance with the Investing In Stockport strategic framework, that sought to respond to the required budget reductions but also to target investment to ensure the best outcomes for residents in the Borough.

The accompanying documents to the report provided further detail on the following Investing In Stockport proposals:-

·         Preventative Commissioning Strategy

·         Integrated Prevention and Safeguarding Children and Family Services

·         0-25 SEND Review

·         Learning Disability Review.

The Executive Councillors (Children & Young People) and appropriate project leads attended the meeting to present the proposals and to answer questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised in relation to the following Proposals:-

·         It was commented that the role of partners needed to be recognised in much of the activity under discussion.

·         Concerns were expressed about whether the proposals were over reliant on the contribution of voluntary and 3rd sector organisations and whether sufficient consideration had been given to the risks associated with these organisations being unable to deliver services due to restricting access to resources. In response it was stated that it was necessary to review current a range of commissioned services, including those provided by the 3^rd sector, to avoid duplication, ensure a focus on outcomes and ensure good value for money. Future commissioning would need to deliver integrated packages of support and this would require a transformation in the way the 3^rd Sector worked. There were also opportunities to work with those voluntary groups who received no funding.

·         Concerns were expressed about the achievability of reducing care placements by 20% and the impact should the target not be met. In response it was stated that the aim was to reduce the reliance on expensive short term placements through a new approach, since in many cases the child would return to their home in the short term so it was hoped to find more effective community based solutions. It was emphasised that there were a range of options being explored for a range of issues, but that where intervention was needed the Council would do so. It was also stressed that the Council did not have the option of not transforming and that all services would need to ensure they could operate within the financial constraints.

·         Clarification was sought in relation to the risk of claw back of capital costs by the Department for Education in relation to children’s centres. In response it was stated that further focussed consultation would be undertaken before the development of firmer proposal on the future configuration of children and family centres, but that many existing centres were accommodated within existing facilities, such as libraries, so there were minimal if no capital costs associated with some of these. It was also emphasised that the targeted work co-ordinated through children’s centres and the wider Integrated Children’s Service would remain.

·         Concerns were expressed that reducing the reducing availability of short breaks would lead to an increase in more costly interventions when families went into crisis. Clarification was also sought on the risks around possible legal challenge. In response it was stated that while there was a statutory requirement to provide short breaks, how tis was delivered was not prescribed in law, and that the proposed changes would affect those with the lowest level of need. It was explained that recent national investment in this area, including ring-fencing of resources, had proven ineffective, but that it had raised expectations. It was important to promote independence and to ensure families were providing opportunities for themselves. It was stressed that respite care would remain and support would continue to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider a report of the Deputy Director for Public Health.

The report of the report is to provide the Scrutiny Committee with an update in relation to unintentional injury in children and young people aged 0-17.

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

Officer Contact: Duncan Weldrake on Tel: 474 2443 or email: duncan.weldrake@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the current position in relation to unintentional injury in children and young people aged 0-17 which included unintentional (accidental) injury, self-harm and assault.

A question was asked about whether accident prevention work was being undertaken in Priority 2 areas and with Registered Social Landlords other than Stockport Homes. In response it was stated that the approach undertaken by Public Health was not exclusive to Priority 1 areas, and was a borough-wide approach. In relation to other partners, opportunities for greater engagement with stakeholders was always welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report requests 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.

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 Committee to consider the process for the selection of Scrutiny Review topics and to select a topic for a review to be carried out during the 2014/2015 municipal year.

Councillors discussed the possibility of undertaking a review of Pupil Premium, including best practice and how the resource can be used to the greatest benefit. However, it was reported that significant work had been undertaken in this area nationally.

RESOLEVED – (1) That the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee be informed that this Scrutiny Committee would wish to undertake a review on the development of partnerships to support integrated preventative services

and that this be included in the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2013/14.

(2) That the following Councillors be nominated to participate in the review:-

Councillor Paul Porgess (Lead Councillor)

Councillor Laura Booth

Councillor Kevin Dowling

Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick

Councillor William Wragg

To consider a report of the Democratic Service 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 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 Committees next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.