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 the following matters were brought to the attention of the Scrutiny Board for information:

-  Councillors S Bentley, K Groves, P Latty and K Renshaw advised that they were members of a Children’s Centre Advisory Board.

-  Councillor J Akhtar advised that he was a private hire taxi driver.

-  Ms J Ward advised that she was a Parent Governor at Corpus Christi secondary school.

The above Board Members remained present for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor S Field and Co-opted Members, Ms C Bewsher, Ms C Foote, Ms J Hazelgrave, Ms K Jan and Ms L Nichols. 

Notification had been received that Councillor K Groves was to substitute for Councillor S Field.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2016.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2016 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services presenting information as part of Session 2 of the Board’s inquiry into Children’s Centres.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which presented information as part of Session 2 of the Board’s inquiry into Children’s Centres.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Early Start Service Handbook – Supporting Practitioners delivering the Leeds Early Start Service (Edition 2)

-  NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council Early Start Dashboard

-  Economic Modelling in support of Children's Centre Business Case for Leeds

-  Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services) Leeds CCGs’ Briefing.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

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

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

-  Amanda Ashe, Children’s Centres and Early Help Lead

-  Sharon Yellin, Consultant in Public Health

-  Janice Burberry, Health Improvement Manager, Public Health

-  Debra Gill, Service Manager for Health Visiting, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

-  Sam Childs, Business Manager (Children's Services), Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The financial challenges to sustaining children’s centres and the importance of the continued development of an integrated approach with health partners.  The Board welcomed the positive work that had been undertaken in maintaining children’s centre provision in Leeds and acknowledged the importance of maintaining this resource.

·  Clarification about the drop-out rate of parents that attended parenting courses.  The Board was advised that there had been an increase in retention rates.  The Board also considered the positive contribution of health visiting teams in supporting parents.

·  Sufficiency of provision in areas of high demand. The Board was advised that demand and provision was under regular review.

·  An update on support for vulnerable parents on a one-to-one basis through development of a pilot funded by the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s).

·  Concern about the impact of welfare reform changes and poverty.

·  The differences in types of provision across children’s centres in Leeds.

·  An update on financial pressures across service areas.  The Board was advised that the children’s services budget for 2017-18 was still in the process of being finalised.

·  Concern that the CCG had been unable to provide a representative to attend today’s Board meeting and a suggestion that a CCG representative again be invited to attend a future Board meeting.

·  Positive development of the HENRY (Healthy Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young) Programme aimed at helping practitioners to support families develop a healthier lifestyle.

·  Exploring the potential for flexible use of children’s centre buildings.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised as part of the Board’s inquiry into Children’s Centres, be noted.

(Councillor A Lamb joined the meeting at 10.30am during the consideration of this item.)

To receive a report from Leeds Safeguarding Children Board presenting the Leeds Safeguarding Children Board - Annual Report 2015/16.

The Leeds Safeguarding Children Board submitted a report which presented the Leeds Safeguarding Children Board – Annual Report 2015/16.

The following were in attendance:

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

-  Mark Peel, Chair of Leeds Safeguarding Children Board

-  Phil Coneron, Support Manager for Leeds Safeguarding Children Board

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

The key areas of discussion were:

·  That the HCMI findings for West Yorkshire did not reflect the significant and positive work undertaken by Police in Leeds.

·  Clarification regarding the funding model for Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs).  It was suggested that the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board may wish to consider a review into joint commissioned / funded services to ensure that the Council’s contribution was fair and proportionate.

·  An update on the Wood Review of LSCBs.  The Board was advised about proposed changes to responsibilities involving children’s services, police and health partners.

·  The importance of transition and development of a joined up and more flexible approach with Leeds Adult Safeguarding Board, particularly in terms of support for vulnerable young people.

·  The ‘Think before you send’ and ‘Party Animals’ campaigns and the difficulties associated with social media, particularly in relation to bullying.  The Board considered the role of LSCBs and the types of processes that schools had in place to tackle bullying and building children’s resilience. 

RESOLVED – That the Leeds Safeguarding Children Board – Annual Report 2015/16, be noted.

(Councillor K Renshaw left the meeting at 11.50am, Councillor N Dawson at 12 noon, Mr A Graham at 12.10pm, Councillors J Akhtar and J Elliott at 12.30pm and Councillor A Lamb at 12.35pm during the consideration of this item.)

To agree the Board’s work schedule for the 2016/17 municipal year.

The Head of Governance Services and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the 2016/17 municipal year.

RESOLVED – That subject to any on-going discussions and scheduling decisions, the Board’s outline work schedule be approved.

Thursday, 15 December 2016 at 9.45am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.15am)

Thursday, 15 December 2016 at 9.45am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.15am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.40pm)