Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting, however in relation to agenda item 7, Targeted Youth Work – Analysis of Provision, Ms T Kayani drew the Board’s attention to the fact that she was employed by an organisation that was involved with the provision of targeted youth services. (Minute no. 51 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor A Lamb and Co-opted Members, Mr A Graham and Ms C Bewsher.  Notification was received that Councillor B Flynn was to substitute for Councillor A Lamb.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2015 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services presenting an analysis on targeted youth work from 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2015 via Infographics.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which presented an analysis on targeted youth work from 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2015.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

-  Councillor Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Paul Brennan, Deputy Director of Children’s Services (Learning)

-  Sue Rumbold, Chief Officer (Partnership Development and Business Support)

-  Andrea Richardson, Head of Service (Learning for Life)

-  Jean Ellison, Youth Offer Lead, Children’s Services.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Clarification sought in terms of outcomes.  The Board was advised that a more detailed report in relation to targeted youth services was being presented to the Schools Forum in January 2016.  The Board asked to receive a copy of the report.

·  The challenges associated with maintaining a diminished resource and the need to develop a more holistic approach to youth services.

·  The important role of young people in relation to the delivery of youth service provision.

·  The varying levels of provision in different areas of the city.

·  The difficulties interpreting some information in the report. The Board was advised that the level of provision was based on the number of young people and deprivation in the area.

·  The importance of joined up working with schools and voluntary sector providers, particularly in relation to ensuring consistency of provision across the city.

·  Clarification sought about the measures used to monitor the quality of provision.  The Board was advised that financial pressures had impacted on quality assurance analysis, although reporting still existed through Community Committees and an increased use of Clusters.  Feedback was provided as part of outcome based accountability framework.

·  The value of youth work to support education and the types of outcomes that schools required. Concern was expressed about the risk of diluting provision.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)  That the Board receives a copy of the report on targeted youth services, which is being presented to the Schools Forum in January 2016.

(c)  That the Scrutiny Board considers if a further piece of scrutiny work be undertaken on the overall youth offer in Leeds following receipt of the report on Universal Activities Funding in January 2016.

(Councillor A Ogilvie joined the meeting at 10.00am during the consideration of this item.)

(Mrs S Hutchinson left the meeting at 10.30am during the consideration of this item.)

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting information relating to the financial health of Children’s Services for period 7, 2015/16.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented information in relation to the financial health of Children’s Services for period 7, 2015/16.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Report to Executive Board on 16 December 2015, Financial Health Monitoring 2015/16 and Children’s Services Financial Dashboard

-  Report to Executive Board on 16 December 2015, Initial Budget Proposals for 2016/17.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

-  Councillor Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Paul Brennan, Deputy Director of Children’s Services (Learning)

-  Sue Rumbold, Chief Officer (Partnership Development and Business Support)

-  John Bywater, Head of Finance (Children’s Services).

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The projected year end overspend for 2015/16 and the challenging budget proposals for 2015/16.

·  An update on demand pressures, particularly in relation to children looked after, special education needs transport and a rise in the number of young people that required education outside the city.

·  An overview of income to be delivered, including the risk of assumed income from schools and health service.

·  Significant concern regarding the changing role of local authorities in relation to future funding of education and cluster funding arrangements.

·  Clarification provided regarding work being undertaken by clusters and health colleagues in relation to CAHMS and TAMHS provision. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  The Board notes the financial position of Children’s Services for period 7, 2015/16 and Cluster funding arrangements

(b)  The Board notes the initial 2016/17 budget proposals in relation to Children’s Services without comment for Executive Board or Full Council.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing a summary of performance information relating to the Children and Young People’s Plan, the emerging attainment results for the city, and the children’s social work service.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which provided a summary of performance information in relation to the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP), the emerging attainment results for the city, and the children’s social work service.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Indicator performance for the CYPP indicators as at the end of September 2015

-  CYPP key indicator dashboard – city level: September 2015

-  Safeguarding, specialist and targeted services: September 2015 – monthly practice improvement report. 

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

-  Councillor Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Paul Brennan, Deputy Director of Children’s Services (Learning)

-  Sue Rumbold, Chief Officer (Partnership Development and Business Support)

-  Peter Storrie, Head of Service (Performance Management and Improvement)

-  Chris Hudson, Principal Performance Officer, Children’s Services.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Acknowledgement of progress made in relation to a reduction in teenage conceptions and NEETs.

·  Concern about an increase in fixed term exclusions.  The Board was advised that this was also a national issue.

·  A suggestion that permanent exclusions be included as part of future performance reporting updates.

·  An update on correspondence submitted by Ofsted to Leeds City Council, in relation to primary standards.  The Board was advised that assurances had been provided regarding the improvement measures in place. 

·  The varying levels of children and young people that spoke English as an additional language and the associated challenges this presented schools.

·  The different methodologies to be employed in educational establishments to monitor levels of progress.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted

(b)  That permanent exclusions be included as part of future performance reporting updates.

(Ms K Jan left the meeting at 11.50am during the consideration of this item.)

To consider a report from the Head of Learning Improvement updating the Scrutiny Board on a proposal to develop Social and Emotional Mental Health education provision in Leeds.

The Head of Learning Improvement submitted a report which updated the Board on a proposal to develop Social and Emotional Mental Health provision in Leeds.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Report to Executive Board on 18 November 2015, The future for Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) education provision in Leeds.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

-  Councillor Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Paul Brennan, Deputy Director of Children’s Services (Learning)

-  Andrew Eastwood, Head of Service (Learning Improvement)

-  Viv Buckland, Head of Service  (Learning Systems).

The key areas of discussion were:

·  An update on recent progress regarding the development of Wellspring Academy Trust to replace Elmete Wood SILC. The Board was advised that strong links between the trust and the local authority would be in place.

·  Clarification sought regarding the ratio applied to teaching, learning and behavioural support provision and the child.  The Board was advised that the ratio was dependent on the needs of the child.

·  The importance of effective governance arrangements, particularly in terms of regular reporting to Children’s Trust Board and Children’s Scrutiny Board. 

·  A suggestion that the Board undertakes a review of provision in the 2016/17 municipal year.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted

(b)  That the Board undertakes a review of provision in the 2016/17 municipal year.

To agree the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the municipal year.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the 2015/16 municipal year.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule be approved.

Thursday, 21 January 2016 at 9.45am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.15am)

Thursday, 21 January 2016 at 9.45am with a pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.15am.

(The meeting concluded at 12.40pm)