Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M D Boles and Cllr A P Maughan.

Apologies were also received from Mrs P Barnett, Parent Governor Representative.

The Chief Executive reported that having received a notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, he had appointed Councillor S P Roe as a replacement member of the Committee in place of Councillor A P Maughan for this meeting only.

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

RESOLVED

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2018 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman advised that the Big Conversation 16 would take place at the Horncastle Youth Centre on Monday, 14 May 2018 from 6.00pm to 7.30pm.  It was noted that the Big Conversation events provided an opportunity for members and officers of the Council and its partners to engage with looked after children (LAC) and care leavers and collaborate on agreed pieces of work.

It was reported that the draft agenda for this event was as follows:

·         Tel Us Survey results

·         Updates from V4C & Barnardo's

·         New work discussions

It was reported that members of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and the Corporate Parenting Sub Group were invited to attend this event.  Details would be sent out after this meeting by the Senior Scrutiny Officer, and any members interested in attending were asked to notify the Participation Team.

It was also noted that Big Conversation 17 would take place on Wednesday, 24 October 2018 from 10.30am – 12.30pm at the Myle Cross Centre, Lincoln.  Further details would be sent out nearer the date.

It was noted that in relation the Big Conversation taking place in Horncastle, there was plenty of parking in close proximity to the venue.

The Executive Councillor highlighted that events by the Music Service had been held on the previous weekend and a number of councillors had attended.  It was highlighted that these were wonderful events, and members were recommended to take the opportunity to attend one.  It was noted that a programme was sent to all members.  Other members who had been in attendance agreed with the Executive Councillor on the quality of the event, and also how it had been a positive experience to meet with some of the young people involved.

The Executive Director reported that Children's Services had recently received a focused Ofsted visit.  It was noted that this had been a very short visit compared to a full visit.  Initial feedback had been received and the Executive Director advised that it did go well.  It was possible that a report could be brought to the next meeting of the Committee, as the inspection report would go into the public domain on 11 May 2018.  It was confirmed that the Ofsted report would be brought to the next meeting, but it was uncertain whether the action plan would be at a point where it could be brought as well.

(To receive a report from Matthew Clayton, Admissions and Education Provision Manager, which invites the Committee to consider a proposal to expand capacity at Monks Abbey Primary School (Final Decision), which is due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on 8 May 2018)

Consideration was given to a report which invited the Committee to consider a report on the proposal to expand capacity at Monks Abbey Primary School (Final Decision) which was due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on 8 May 2018.

It was reported that Lincolnshire County Council had a statutory duty to ensure there were sufficient school places within its area to accommodate all pupils of statutory school age living in Lincolnshire.

Members were advised the report presented concerned the permanent expansion of the capacity at Monks Abbey Primary School.  This was to ensure that there would be the required number of primary school places to accommodate increasing pupil numbers in this area of Lincoln.  The proposal would expand the school to a 2.5 form entry (75 places per year group) from a 2 form entry (60 places per year group) with a proposed implementation date of 1 September 2019.  This would be a total increase of 125 places.

To ensure that the statutory requirements were met, a five week period of consultation commenced on 3 November 2017 and closed on 8 December 2017.  A decision was then taken to publish a Statutory Notice on 8 February 2018 which initiated a four week Representation Period up to 8 March 2018 when written objection and comments were able to be submitted.  Members were advised that the process was now entering the final stage when the Local Authority, as decision maker, must take the final decision regarding the proposal within 2 months from the end of the Representation Period (8 May 2018).

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         Members were advised that if the extra provision of places for this school was not approved, then the Local Authority may need to look further afield, to look at building new schools or expanding provision at other schools.

·         It was queried whether there were any areas in the county where the Local Authority would not be able to meet demand for places with expansion.  Members were advised that there were close links in relation to planned housing developments to identify where there may be s106 requirements for new schools.

·         It was commented that this was an area with a high proportion of migrant families, and it was queried whether the PAN could be reduced again if a large number of these families left the area following Brexit.  Members were advised that there was still a lot of uncertainty about what would happen in regards to Brexit, but there was still planning permission in place for 300 houses which would directly impact on Monks Abbey Primary School.

·         It was commented that 17 responses to the consultation was very low.  However, members were informed that individual meetings had been offered, responses could be returned via e-mail or letter.  Officers advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

(To receive a report from David Robinson, Commissioning Manager, Transport and Teri Marshall, Senior Commissioning Officer, Transport Commissioning Team, which invites the Committee to consider the Post 16 Transport Statement 2018-2019, which is due to considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services between 23 and 27 April 2018)

The Committee received a report which invited members to consider a report on the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement 2018-19 which was due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services between 23 and 27 April 2018.

It was reported that the Council provided subsidised transport for learners of sixth form age (extended to age 21 or 25 for learners with Special educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SENDs)) to a school sixth form, college of further education or other approved setting.  This cost the authority around £2m per year (2017/18 forecast), and the authority recovered a proportion of the cost (approximately £1m), through a charge to parents or students which was currently £570 per annum (£579 per annum if paid in instalments).

It was clarified that the authority was required to review this Policy annually, and it came to this Committee on an annual basis before going to the Executive Councillor for a decision.  It was noted that the provision of post 16 transport was a non-statutory duty as there had been no change to the school leaving age, which remained at 16.  However, young people were encouraged to participate until the age of 18 in education, or employment with training.  The Council had a statutory duty to provide transport to school for children of school age.

In 2008, a new duty was created for young people to participate in education or employment with training until the age of 18.  This was not a raising of the school leaving age.

It was noted that the policy proposal was similar to previous years, with the annual charge remaining at £570 per year for a second year, which worked out at approximately £3.20 for a return trip.  Members were advised that a decision had previously been taken to have a flat charge to ensure it was fair to all and that those learners living in rural areas were not disadvantaged as they may have to travel further.

Members were informed that some colleges had begun to participate with the County Council, and were providing bursary funds to those learners who may struggle with the transport cost.  Some were even providing their own private travel.

In relation to the charge, it was noted that Lincolnshire's charge was in the lower quartile for English counties, and also for shire counties.  It was believed that the policy met its aim of allowing all school leavers reasonable choice when choosing an establishment at the Post 16 phase.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was noted that in relation to Newark College, it was proposed to remove its designated transport area (DTA) as it had recently become a satellite of Lincoln College.  Therefore, the DTA's for Lincoln and Grantham would be extended to cover this geographical area.  It was reported that this would probably  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

(To receive a report from Eileen McMorrow, Senior Project Officer SEND Review, which provides the Committee with an update on the consultation on the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy; and to advise of the revised timeline for Executive decision making)

Consideration was given to a report which provided the Committee with an update on the consultation on the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy and also informed members of the revised timeline for Executive decision making.

The Committee was already aware that the Strategy being consulted on proposed to make significant changes to existing special education provision in Lincolnshire.  It aimed to create an integrated and sustainable school system where pupils with additional needs could attend their nearest school, confident that their education and health needs could be fully met.

Members were also advised that the strategy had been collaboratively produced with all Special School Leaders, Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum to ensure the proposed model was based upon sector expertise and parental views. 

Importantly, members were reminded that the strategy proposed to address the current system pressures which were making the existing system unsustainable which included

·         increased demand on a limited number of school places,

·         excessively long journeys for a significant number of pupils,

·         the potentially detrimental impact of some Out of County placements on families

·         the need for significant improvements to some special school buildings.

The proposed strategy was presented to this Committee on 1st December 2017 and to Executive on 5th December 2017.  Approval was granted to engage in public consultation on both the proposed strategy and the proposed changes to individual schools simultaneously. The strategy was subject to public consultation over a 9 week period from 8th January 2018 to 14th March 2018.

The report provided members with a brief summary of the consultation process, some initial outcomes from the consultation and the revised timeline on the next steps.  Since the report was written, members were advised that officers had also received two petitions – one in support of the proposal and one in opposition.  These petitions would both be included as part of the consultation and would be included in the analysed consultation findings which would be scrutinised by this Committee at the appropriate time.

It was reported that the timeline had been amended to ensure all Academy Trusts and the Regional School Commissioner had sufficient time to consider the outcomes of the consultation and also to ensure that the final decision made by Executive was informed by public consultation, the decision of Academy Trusts and the Regional School Commissioner.

In terms of the timeline, the public consultation period for this strategy had now ended, with initial findings summarised in the report.

The implementation of the Strategy, if approved, would be complex as the authority would need to co-ordinate a number of processes in the maintained and Academy sectors.  The timeline was reviewed to ensure that the different processes could, as far as possible, be aligned.  This would ensure that Council decision-makers had as much information as possible about what was happening across the system, to inform their decision.

As the consultation was now complete, the next stage would be to share the findings with the Academy Trusts to enable them  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

(To receive a report which presents to the Committee the draft minutes of the Corporate Parenting Sub Group meeting held on 15 March 2018)

The Committee received an update from the Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Sub Group who advised that the minutes from the last meeting held on 15 March 2018 were attached at Appendix A of the report.

It was reported that the Sub-Group considered the following items at the meeting:

The Sub Group received an update on the progress of the Looked After Children and Care Leaver Strategy, and also the Corporate Parenting Strategy.  A working group was agreed by the Sub Group consisting of 9 members, who were listed in the report, to consider these two documents.  It was reported that due to the availability of members, half the working group met on 9 April and the other half met on 16 April.  At the meetings, the working group considered the draft strategies and had the opportunity to input their views and provide feedback on the documents.  Both of these strategies would be presented to this Committee at its meeting on 8 June 2018.  The Looked After Children and Care Leaver Strategy would then be approved by the Executive in July, and the Corporate Parenting strategy would be approved by full Council at its meeting in September.

It was reported that the Sub Group had been trialling having virtual meetings in between the main meetings, where a small number of reports would be circulated to the Sub Group by e-mail and the members had 10 days in which to submit any queries on those reports to Janice Spencer.  A written response would then be provided by e-mail to those queries and which would then be brought together and presented at the next Sub Group meeting for information.  It was noted that the purpose of the Virtual Meetings was to relieve some of the pressure on the agendas for the main meetings.  Members were advised that the next virtual meeting would take place on 30 April and the Sub Group was due to meet next on 14 June where it would be receiving the Legal Services Annual report for 2017/18 and the Virtual School Annual report for 2017/18.

The Sub Group also received a six monthly update from Barnardo's who provide the Leaving Care Service in Lincolnshire.  The Sub Group was pleased to learn that there were now 20 care leavers attending university, which was the highest figure ever recorded for care leavers in Lincolnshire.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions in relation to the information contained within the report and the update presented, and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         Councillor Dodds advised that she attended the working group on 16 April and found it to be a very good meeting, with some useful discussions.

·         It was clarified that in terms of social care, the County Council would remain responsible for a child if they moved out of county.  However, the authority of the county they lived in would be responsible for their education and health care.

·         Members were advised that officers were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

(To receive a report from Tracy Johnson, Senior Scrutiny Officer, which provides the Committee with an opportunity to consider and comment on its work programme for the coming months)

Consideration was given to a report which enables the Committee to comment on the content of its work programme to ensure that its scrutiny activity was focused where it could be of greatest benefit.

It was noted that for the meeting on 8 June 2018, there would be an additional report on the outcome of the Ofsted Inspection.  It was noted that subject to the time line, the action plan may or may not be included.

Members were also advised that most of the items to be programmed had now been added to the agendas for the September, October and November meetings.

It was confirmed that the first meeting of the Exclusions working group would be taking place on 4 May 2018.

It was noted that the report on the Lincolnshire Secure Unit may need to slip to July as the authority was still in negotiations with the DfE.

As an additional note, one member advised that South Kesteven District Council had taken the decision to make all care leavers exempt from council tax.  Further to this it was also commented that all districts had now signed up to doing this, which was good news.

RESOLVED

1.    That the work programme and the changes highlighted above be agreed.

2.    That the additional points raised be noted.