Agendas, Minutes and Reports

MINUTES

OF THE MEETING OF THE

Children and Young People Policy AND Scrutiny Panel

Thursday 17th July 2003

HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, SOMERSET.

Meeting Commenced: 6.00 p.m. Meeting Concluded: 7.50 p.m.

PRESENT: Councillors Jeremy Blatchford (Chairman), Tom Leimdorfer (Vice-Chairman), Astra Brand, Alan Cotton (substitute for Councillor Mike Nobes), Colin Golland, Jenny Gosden, Ann Harley, Howard Roberts, Chanel Stevens, Sally Tabrett.

ADDED MEMBERS: Justin Templer, Mark Johnston, Beverly Humphries and Ann Lemon.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mark Evans, Councillors John Daws and Mike Nobes.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor Peter Kehoe.

CAY

Minutes of the Children and Young People Select Committee held on 12th June 2003 (Agenda Item 4.1)

The minutes of the Children and Young People Select Committee were submitted to this Panel as successor to the remit of the Select Committee.

RESOLVED: that the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

CAY

Work Plan (Agenda Item 6.2)

The Chairman presented the report which gave guidance on the selection of potential items for inclusion in the Panel’s Work Plan.

The Chairman suggested that the Panel Members form themselves into groups of three for the purpose of visiting schools of which they were not a governor, and which were not within their Ward. Members would become acquainted with school issues, and acquire a foundation of relevant knowledge.

Members welcomed the suggestion. It was commented that Members who were already associated with primary schools should visit secondary schools and vice-versa. Reference was made to the possible need for criminal record checks to be carried out.

Colin Diamond, Director of Education said Headteachers would welcome such visits provided they were properly organised, and were of value. It was suggested that such visits last one day or half a day, so that Members could meet pupils and staff, and be able to observe school activities.

(1) Suggested Topics From the Chairman

The Chairman suggested the following topics for in-depth investigation and inclusion on the Work Plan, and invited Panel Members to comment and to make suggestions of their own:

(a) Special Education Needs (to include the Best Value Review, the Children’s Disability Strategy and the Accessibility Strategy);

(b) Improving Services for Vulnerable Children (to include Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership, Preventative Strategy for Children at Risk, an update on the Laming Report Action Plan, and approach to Corporate Parenting);

(d) 14-90 Years Agenda (to include Connexions and links with the Youth Service Plan);

(e) Uses of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in Education.

Discussion ensued on the Chairman’s suggestions with Members generally expressing their support.

Colin Diamond and Steve Tanner, Assistant Director (Child Care) responded to Members’ questions and queries.

(2) Issues raised:

(a) The Vice-Chairman pointed out that a number of the topics were related, and could be linked together;

(b) Financial issues would come under the discussions on the Medium Term Financial Plan;

(c) Pre-school issues would be considered as part of the Early Years Development and Childcare Plan (part of the statutory framework); and

(d) The Panel to receive a presentation on the Laming Report.

(e) The size and composition of any working parties that were set up was less important than having individuals who were interested in the subject matters, and keen to get involved;

(f) The Panel must ensure that it did not become overloaded with work. In addition, it was important that the Work Plan had sufficient capacity and flexibility to allow for issues that may arise (for example, references from the Executive, and items called-in);

(g) The need to adhere to the timescales for considering statutory plans;

(h) The need to make use of existing sources of information, including other local authorities.

The Panel concurred with a suggestion by the Chairman that a Working Party be set up to examine the contract for the New Build at Portishead Primary School. It was commented that this may include working with the Organisational Effectiveness Policy and Scrutiny Panel as contract review was within its remit.

CONCLUDED:

(1) that the following topics be included on the Work Plan for in-depth investigation:

(a) Special Education Needs (to include the Best Value Review, the Children’s Disability Strategy and the Accessibility Strategy);

(c ) Ways of Improving Attendance at School (Attendance, Truancy, Absence);

(d) 14-90 Years Agenda (to include Connexions and links with the Youth Service Plan);

(e) Information Communications Technology (ICT).

(2) that for each topic, terms of reference be set, including proposed objective, suggested approach and timescale;

(3) that the statutory plans as follows and specified in Appendix 1 to the report be considered in accordance with the deadlines as stated:

Children’s Services Plan

Early Year’s Development and Childcare Plan

Education Development Plan

(except the Community Strategy Plan which will be overseen by the Community Services Policy and Scrutiny Panel);

(4) that a Working Party comprising six Members of the Panel (Councillors Blatchford, Brand, Gosden, Harley, and Roberts and Mr. Templer) be set up to examine the contract for New Build at Portishead Primary School, and report back to this Panel by 13th November 2003.

(5) that the Scrutiny and Performance Team Officer write to Members of the Panel, having regard to the topics specified in (1) above, and the possible need to set up working parties, inviting them to identify their areas of interest and expertise.

(6) that at its next meeting, the Panel receive guidance and advice on the process and methodology for undertaking visits to schools.

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Chairman

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