Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1)   the type of interest concerned; and

(2)   the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 29 June 2017 as a true and correct record.

The Committee agreed that the minutes of the last meeting of the Resilient Communities and Children’s Scrutiny Committee held on 29 June 2017 be signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

To consider any applications from members of the public to speak at the meeting.

The Committee noted that there were no applications from members of the public to speak at the meeting.

To consider the Executive and Cabinet Member decisions within the remit of the Resilient Communities and Children’s Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee considered the Executive and Cabinet Member decisions within its remit, taken since the last meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Cain, Cabinet Secretary (Resilient Communities) responded to a question from the Committee in connection with decision number PH39/2017 ‘Home to School Discretionary Faith Transport’. Asked how many pupils would be affected in relation to free bus pass allocation, he explained that more people would now be entitled to bus passes as a result of the changes.

In relation to decision number PH41/2017 ‘Early Years’ Service Provision’ The Committee expressed concern about the promotional pack and training courses for potential childminders being discontinued and asked what help would be given to childminders in the future. Councillor Cain responded by explaining that the changes were as a result of the funding distribution formula which had been amended via Government. As a result, the funding would now go directly to the providers. He further explained that the Council was working closely with the Safeguarding Board to ensure the funding was properly distributed and that Ofsted would be inspecting the providers, in order to provide an additional level of assurance. With regards to the discontinuation of the training courses, Councillor Cain explained that the Council had been providing the training over and above the statutory requirements and that in future, it would continue to be available directly from the providers.

The Committee agreed to note the Executive and Cabinet Member decisions.

To inform the Committee of the work undertaken by Children’s Services on a day to day basis and to update on the progress and implementation of developments within the areas.

The Committee considered a report which highlighted key areas of work and progress within the Children’s Services Directorate. The report was presented by Mrs Diane Booth, Director of Children’s Services, who began by providing a verbal summary of the main content of the report under the following headings:

·         Blackpool Young People’s Service

·         Review of High Needs Provision

·         Social, Emotional and Mental Health Free School

·         Edge of Exclusion Project

·         Ofsted Inspection Gradings

·         Unvalidated School Results

·         School Admission Appeals

·         Demand Management/Early Help Thresholds

·         Improvement Plan

·         Opportunity Area

·         Neglect

·         Compliments.

Mrs Booth then responded to comments and questions from the Committee in relation to the content of the report and the summary she had provided.

With regards to the Ofsted Inspection Gradings, the Chair pointed out that at the last meeting of the Committee, it had been requested that a short summary of the reports be provided to Committee Members as and when they became available. She requested that in future, it would be helpful if this information could be provided on an ongoing basis.

In connection with the Opportunity Area report, Mrs Booth reported that a draft Opportunity Area Plan was almost ready and that a further update would be provided at either the October or December meeting of the Committee.

The Committee raised questions relating to the Edge of Exclusion Project and specifically, how children were referred onto the scheme. Mrs Booth explained that it was a needs-led scheme with a wide range of tools available to support it. Most of the referrals were directly from schools and the scheme was considered to be working well. In addition, the Council was developing an Inclusion Strategy that would include elements of alternative education provision.

The Committee pointed out that the School Inspection Outcomes report indicated that overall, Blackpool had good primary schools, although secondary school education required improvement. Asked what was being done to improve matters, particularly around quality of teaching, Mrs Booth explained that a school improvement plan was now in place which contained a wide range of different elements around school improvement. She also referred to the Inclusion Strategy which was being developed in collaboration with schools. The main areas of improvement were linked to behaviour, aspiration and holding schools to account. Mrs Booth explained that she was meeting with headteachers and heads of academies on 19 September 2017 in order to take things forward.

The Committee queried about the funding for the review of high needs provision, and whether the allocated £22,000 would be sufficient to support the implementation of changes following the review. Mrs Booth explained that it would likely be enough, although additional money would be available via Opportunities Funding.

Members discussed the accountability of academies and what means were available to the Council to hold them to account. The Committee also discussed the rates of retention amongst teachers, especially those that were newly qualified. Mrs Booth acknowledged that it was difficult for the Council to hold academies to account. She explained that she was working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee to consider the Workplan, together with any suggestions that Members may wish to make for scrutiny review.

The Committee considered its Workplan for the remainder of the current Municipal Year and the Chairman invited suggestions from Committee Members as to possible Workplan items.

The Committee agreed to note the Workplan.

Background papers: None.

To note the date of the next meeting of the Committee as Thursday, 19 October 2017, commencing at 6pm.

The Committee agreed to note the date of the next meeting as Thursday, 19 October 2017, at 6.00pm.