Agenda

Councillors who require a substitute to be appointed should inform Democratic Services by 4.00pm on Friday 17 November 2023 (Councillors who wish to arrange their own substitute should inform Democratic Services of their substitute prior to the commencement of the meeting).

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2023.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

To consider call-in items (if any).

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

Following October Scrutiny Committees, the report provides further detail on the budget change proposals, taking into consideration the feedback received to date.

The appendix to this report outlines the change proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions.

The Committee is recommended to comment on the report and the proposals presented within that are relevant to the Committee’s remit.

Officer Contact: Gill Lawton on 0161 474 3686 or email: gill.lawton@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a joint report of the Corporate Director of People & Integration and the Director of Education.

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Children, Families & Education Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Report is based on the 2023/24 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA), which was considered by the Committee on 14 June 2023 and approved by Cabinet on 27 June 2023.

The Mid-Year Report focuses on delivery of the portfolio priorities from April to September 2023. It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

a)    Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report.

b)    Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2023/24.

c)    Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues.

d)    Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report.

e)    Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager

gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk , 0161 474 3186

Gill Dixon, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Children’s Social Care

gill.dixon@stockport.gov.u , 0161 474 3886

Peter Hughes, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Education & Schools

peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk , 0161 474 3947

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The Youth Justice Plan is a statutory annual plan that is required under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The report sets out the Youth Offending Partnership’s responsibilities in producing this plan and states that it is the duty of each local authority, after consultation with the partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual youth justice plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to endorse the Youth Justice Plan for 2023/24.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith on 0161 474 4744 or email: jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The report provides information on a new programme of work to support the introduction of the new expanded funding entitlements for working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years. Also, for parents to have access to wrap around childcare for all school aged children commencing from September 2024.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Glenda Brocklehurst on 07891949412 or email: glenda.brocklehurst@stockport.gov.uk  or LJ Woodword on 0161 474 4012 or email: lj.woodward@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The report gives an overview of partnership activity in the children and adult safeguarding partnerships. The focus of the report is on the business plan priorities and progress made in 2022-2023

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Katie Bates on 0161 474 6828 or email: katie.bates@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Work & Skills

This report is to provide an update to Childrens Scrutiny on the current position and context of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Stockport. The report will have a particular emphasis upon SEN school places and attendance.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider the information in this report and the current actions to address distinct issues and to agree that a further update is given in February 2024 once the actions as outlined have been completed.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman on 07977 661073 or email: tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Assistant Director Legal & Democratic Governance.

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: Charles Yankiah on 0161 474 3206 or email:

Charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk