(a) To hear from the Director of Children’s Services and Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for Children’s Services on current issues, and to ask questions;
(b) To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing information to assist the Board to develop its work programme for 2009/10.
Minutes:
The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development provided information and guidance to assist the Board to develop its Work Programme for 2009/10.
Relevant information from the following key sources was attached to the report to assist Members:
The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting to contribute to the discussion about the Board’s Work Programme:
The following issues were highlighted as potential areas for scrutiny:
· Ongoing focus on safeguarding – including domestic violence
· Launch of the new Children and Young People’s Plan
· Changes in the way 14-19 services are provided
· The number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)
· New policy framework for schools – 21st century schools
· Young people’s priority around places to go and things to do
· Aiming High for Disabled Children
· Children’s Trust Arrangements – further guidance from Government has been deferred for a year
· The impact of population growth on Schools and other Children’s Services.
· National Year of Volunteering – how to involve and recruit young people.
· The Rose Review of the primary curriculum– including the recommendation that children started school in the term after their 4th birthday
· Replacement of the Learning and Skills Council – complex issues at regional and sub regional level, transfer of responsibilities to the Council
· Anticipated reductions in funding for education over the next ten years.
· Community use of school grounds and buildings.
· Locality working and the need to ensure services are fit for local needs.
· Post 16 education for young people with special educational needs.
In response to Members’ comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:
RESOLVED – That the information presented with the report and discussion with those present be used towards the development of the Board’s Work Programme.
(Councillor Driver declared an interest in this item as a prospective governor at the College of Building. Councillor Renshaw declared an interest in this item as a governor at Seven Hill Primary, East Ardsley Primary and Rodillian High Schools. Councillor Lancaster declared an interest in this item in relation to her roles as governor at Carr Manor High School and member of the West Yorkshire Police Authority.)
Supporting documents: