Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Adams, S R Dodds and Ms T Keywood-Wainwright.

It was noted that the Chief Executive having received notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had appointed Councillor R B Parker as a replacement member on the Committee in place of Councillor S R Dodds, for this meeting only.

The Chairman welcomed Mrs P J Barnett, newly elected Parent Governor Representative to the meeting.

There were no declarations of members' interest declared at this point in the meeting.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 4 March 2016 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(To receive a report which invites the Committee to consider a proposal regarding the future of Saltfleetby Church of England Primary School (Final decision))

Consideration was given to a report from the Executive Director of Children's Services, which asked the Committee to consider the future of Saltfleetby Church of England Primary School (Final Decision), which was due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health Services, Children's Services on 29 April 2016.  A copy of the full report to the Executive Councillor was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

The Committee was asked to consider the report, and offer its comments on the proposed future of Saltfleetby Church of England Primary School.

Heather Sandy, (Chief Commissioner – Learning) took the lead on this item and explained to the Committee the statutory process that had been undertaken, with particular reference made to the statutory consultation (which had closed on 13 November 2015, and that a summary of the responses received were shown on pages 41 to 46 of the report presented).

It was highlighted that following the responses received, a discussion had taken place with the Informal Executive Board (IEB), the Parent Group, and the Local Authority at which agreement was reached to extend the timescales for the process, to allow more time to further explore options that might secure the future of the school.  It was highlighted that during this time marketing and promotion of the school had taken place to increase the number of pupils on the roll.  It was also noted that alternative federation options had been pursued by the School, Local Authority, the Diocese and CfBT. 

A solution was not however reached.  The Committee noted that there would only be a total of 13 children on the roll for 2016.  It was also reported that there were not enough pupils in the local area to sustain an educationally and financially viable primary school without relying on attracting pupils from areas closer to other schools, many of which already had surplus capacity.  As a result of the low pupil numbers in the local area and the extremely low current and projected numbers on roll, this had not allowed the IEB to be able to set a balanced budget.  The Committee was advised that there was a projected in-year deficit of circa £30k per year based on 20 pupils on roll, which would lead to a deficit of £75k by 2019/20.  

Reasons on which the final decision was based were detailed in the report under the heading of 'Reasons for Recommendations' on pages 21 and 22 of the report presented. 

Stephen Hopkins (Chairman of the Interim Executive Board) addressed the Committee and set out the rationale for requesting the closure of the school.  The IEB decision had been taken in the context of concern over the long term sustainability of the school in relation to being able to continue to offer quality education to pupils within the resources available.  The Committee noted that due to the low pupil numbers the IEB had been unable to set a balanced budget.  The school was not therefore financially  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

(To receive an update on the work of the School Improvement Group)

The Chairman of the School Improvement Working Group, Emma Olivier-Townrow (Former Parent Governor Representative) expressed support to the action taken by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health Services, Children's Services with regard to her stance to the "Educational Excellence Everywhere" White Paper in relation to the forced academisation of schools.

The Working Group had met for the last time on 22 March 2016, where it had been informed of the proposed changes to school improvement as set out in the White paper.  As a result, the Working Group had been superseded by the White Paper.

During a brief discussion, some reference was given to the new sector led for school improvement and some concern was expressed about the capacity of small schools to release teachers to engage in both peer reviews and the activities of the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership.  It was reiterated that a fund to support small schools to cover supply costs should be set up to ensure they could engage equally.  Officers highlighted that such a fund would have to be agreed by the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum.

The Committee noted that the work of School Improvement Working Group had now ceased, and a vote of thanks was extended to all members of the Working Group.

RESOLVED

            That the verbal update be noted.

(To receive a report which summarises the key elements of the Government White Paper "Excellent Education Everywhere", highlighting potential benefits and concerns particularly with regard to the enforced academisation of all schools)

The Chief Commissioner - Learning introduced the following two new members of staff to the Committee:- Gavin Booth, Children's Services Manager, Education Strategy and Martin Smith, Children's Services Manager, School Standards.

The Committee gave consideration to a report from Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services, which summarised the key elements of the Government White Paper "Excellent Education Everywhere".  It was reported that there were a number of implications for the Local Authority particularly in relation to the enforced academisation of all schools and the proposal to transfer responsibility for school improvement from local authorities' to school-led systems.

The Chief Commissioner – Learning guided members through the report presented, making particular reference to the following issues:-

·         Teacher Training, as detailed at paragraph 1.4.1.  It was felt that this was a positive move;

·         School Improvement, as detailed at paragraph 1.4.3.  It was highlighted that with the Council having the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership put the Council in a good position to share expertise;

·         Students and Parents as detailed in paragraph 1.4.7.  It was highlighted that trusts would no longer be required to reserve places for elected parents on governing boards, and that governing boards should take a skills-based approach supported by a competency framework, with help to identify skills gaps.  Some Members felt that parent governor representation was crucial as their contributions were invaluable;

·         Fairer Funding – as detailed in paragraph 1.4.9.  The White Paper confirmed that no pupils would be disadvantaged because their school arbitrarily receives less funding than a school with similar costs and pupils.  It was felt that Fairer Funding should bring more money into Lincolnshire; and

·         Academisation by 2020 of all schools.  The Committee was informed that this matter was still being debated, as there was a lack of evidence that academisation would improve schools.  It was felt that this would be a problem for Lincolnshire, as freedom of choice and local needs would be inhibited.  It was highlighted that a letter had been sent to all schools inviting them to have a conversation with the Council before making any decisions. 

The Committee was also advised that the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health Services, Children's Services had written to the Secretary of State expressing the views of Lincolnshire.  A copy of the said letter was detailed at Appendix A to the report presented.  It was agreed that a copy of the letter issued to all schools in Lincolnshire from the Executive Director would be circulated to all members of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee for their information.  Members of the Committee expressed support for the action taken.

Some concern was also expressed with regard to compensation to the Diocese in relation to property/land should the academisation proposal go through.  Reassurance was given that C of E Schools would not just be handed across to multi academy trusts.

Officers confirmed that at present there was no guidance with regard to these matters.  It was felt however, if such a case was to arise that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

(To receive a report which sets out a consultation which recommends the discontinuance of the three dedicated speech and language referral units across Lincolnshire and to provide Speech and Language services to children requiring interventions in the school which they are on roll)

Consideration was given to a report from Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services, which provided the Committee with details of the consultation which recommended the discontinuance of three dedicated speech and language referral units across Lincolnshire, and to provide Speech and Language services to children requiring interventions in the school for which they are on the roll. The Committee was advised that the consultation had commenced on 9 March 2016 and was due to finish on 22 April 2016.  Appendix A to the report presented provided a copy of the Consultation document for the Committee's consideration.

The Business Support Manager in guiding the Committee through the report advised that currently for children at primary age, the County Council commissioned three schools to provide educational and therapeutic support to children with complex speech and language difficulties and that currently there were 21 children attending the three units.  The three units were situated in Monkshouse Primary (Spalding), Mablethorpe Primary School (Mablethorpe) and Fosse Way (Lincoln).

The consultation document proposed an alternative model which recommended that pupils with complex or severe speech and/or language needs remained within their local primary school and continued to be educated in this setting, whilst receiving short term intensive therapeutic services to support them in reaching their full potential.  It was highlighted that pupils with more complex educational support needs would then follow the appropriate pathway for an Education, Health and Care Plan.

It was highlighted that the model also addressed the concerns of some parents that the young children should remain in their local community, at their local school and not having to travel long distances to attend one of the three units. 

It was reported that the Lincolnshire Community Health Service, the four Clinical Commissioning Groups and the Local Authority would be working together to enhance the current speech and language treatment outreach support service into mainstream primary schools to allow young children with complex speech and language needs to be able to remain in a mainstream school setting.

The Committee was invited to provide comments on the proposal, prior to the Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health Services, Children's Services making her decision on 10 June 2016.  The Committee was advised that the Executive Councillor report would be considered by the Committee at its meeting on 27 May 2016.

The Committee was advised that the current model resulted in transportation costs of approximately £125,755; and that by placing children in their local community primary school would significantly reduce transport costs by approximately 70% resulting in a saving of £88,000 p.a. to the Local Authority funding.  It was also noted that the Local Authority provided £360,002 to the three schools for providing the service.

Note: Councillor Mrs N J Smith wished it to be noted that she had been previously employed as a speech assistant at a Lincolnshire school.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:-

·         That the enhanced service would involve a number sessions, which would be needs led;

·         That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

(To receive a report which enables the Committee to have an overview of the activities of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group, in particular the Sub-Group's consideration of child safeguarding matters)

A report from Richard Wills, Executive Director with responsibility for Democratic Services, was presented, which enabled the Committee to have an overview of the activities of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group, in particular the Sub-Group's consideration of child safeguarding matters.  A copy of the minutes from the last meeting of the Sub-Group held on 6 January 2016, were attached at Appendix A to the report presented.

Councillor R Oxby, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group provided an update to the Committee, making particular reference to the Sub-Group having received an update from the Independent Chair, Chris Cook on the Government's review of children's safeguarding and the proposal to centrally commission Serious Case Reviews.  The Committee noted that the Sub-Group had supported the idea of a standard template for the Review reports, but had raised a number of concerns relating to the proposal to centralise the commissioning of reports, and would be monitoring the outcome from the Government's review.

It was highlighted that the Sub-Group had also received the outcomes from a Serious Case Review.  The case had related to a young person who had taken their own life as a result of on-line bullying.

It was highlighted further that at the last meeting of the Sub-Group held on 6 April 2016, the Sub-Group had received an update on the new Ofsted Inspection Framework, and that the work being done by the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Board to prepare for its next inspection.  It was noted that the Committee would receive the draft minutes from that meeting at its next scheduled meeting on 27 May 2016.

Some concern was raised that due to the position of the item on the agenda insufficient time was being given by the Committee to consider and receive information particularly relating to Serious Case Reviews from the Sub-Group.  The Senior Scrutiny Officer advised that the item moved around the agenda, as a result of the presence of more pressing items.

RESOLVED

That the verbal update, and the minutes from the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group, held on the 6 January 2016 be noted.

(To receive a report which provides the Committee with an update on the work of the Corporate Parenting Panel)

Consideration was given to a report from Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services, which allowed the Committee to receive an update on the work of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

Councillor D Brailsford, Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel advised the Committee that at the last meeting of the Panel held on 10 March 2016, consideration had been given to a report from Barnardo's Lincolnshire on the Leaving Care Service.  Some concerns had been raised about access to housing for Care Leavers and it was also highlighted that there was a need to make dual hatted councillors more aware of the housing issues for Care Leavers, which the Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel had agreed to do.

The Committee noted that the Panel had also received a report from the Executive Director of Children's Services concerning the national work being undertaken around the educational progress of Looked After Children.  The Committee noted further that national research had shown that care was generally a protective factor with early admission to care being associated with better educational outcomes.  A number of recommendations had been made, some of which would be for local authorities to take forward, which would significantly improve the educational outcomes for children in care.  It was highlighted that there was also a central recommendation which sought creation of a new national system for monitoring educational outcomes and progress for children in care.

The Committee was advised that at the 9 June 2016 meeting the Panel would be receiving a report on Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers, which would also contain information with regard to Syrian refugees.  A further report for consideration would be the annual report from Legal Services pertaining to Care Orders.

Draft minutes from the last Corporate Parenting Panel meeting held on 10 March 2016, was detailed at Appendix A to the report presented.

RESOLVED

            That the update, and the draft minutes from the Corporate Parenting          Panel meeting held on 10 March 2016 be noted.

(To receive a report which enables the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to consider its own work programme for the coming year)

Consideration was given to a report from Richard Wills, Executive Director with responsibility for Democratic Services, which provided the Committee with an opportunity to consider its own work programme for the coming year.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer advised that there was one amendment to the work programme as detailed.  The Committee noted that a decision report on the recommendations arising from the Grammar School Transport Scrutiny Review would be considered at the meeting due to be held on 27 May 2016, for pre-decision scrutiny.  A decision would then be taken by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health Services, Children's Services on whether, or not to accept either Option One or Five sometime in June 2016.  

The Committee was reminded that at the last meeting, it had been agreed to establish a working group to look at School Performance.  The Committee was advised that it was proposed to hold a one off meeting to review where the Council was with regard to Key Stage Four performance.  Nominations were sought from members present.  The following four members volunteered to take part in the above said meeting: - Councillors Mrs J Brockway, J D Hough, S R Dodds and Mrs L A Rollings.

Reference was also made to the recent FAB Awards Event, which the Committee was advised had been a great success, as this year the young people had run the whole event themselves.  An invitation was made to all members of the Committee to become engaged in the next event.

A request was made for the next set of minutes from the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub Group to be included on the agenda for the meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee scheduled to be held on the 15 July 2016 instead of the meeting scheduled to be held on 27 May 2016.

RESOLVED

1.    That subject to the inclusion of any amendments made at the meeting, the work programme be approved.

2.    That the membership of the School Performance Working be comprised of Councillors Mrs J Brockway, J D Hough, S R Dodds and Mrs L A Rollings be agreed.