Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Childrens Services.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report outlining the arrangements for the establishment and development of a Children’s Trust in Leeds, and the role which Area Committees might play in the process now and in the future.

Keith Burton, Children’s Services Unit, attended the meeting and responded to Members’ queries and comments.  In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:-

• A forthcoming event for all Members in late January (to be notified);
• The role of District Partnerships, Area Committees and Locality Forums in developing and improving services at local level;
• The ‘corporate parenting’ strand of the proposals, with each Area Committee having a recognised Member involved in Regulation 33 inspections of children’s homes in the area, but whose role also involved advocacy and championing children and families at local level (Councillor Harrand in the case of the N E Outer Area Committee);
• The type and cost of Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks, and other possible future changes in this area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.