Agenda and minutes

Co-opted Members (Voting)

Mr E A Britten - Church Representative (Catholic)

Mr A Graham - Church Representative (Church of England)

Mrs K Blacker - Parent Governor Representative (Primary)

Co-opted Members (Non-Voting)

Ms C Foote - Teacher Representative

Ms H Bellamy - Teacher Representative

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(* In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).

There were no appeals.

1.  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2.  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3.  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

No exempt items have been identified.

There were no exempt items.

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 declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received from Councillor H Bithell, and co-opted members Debbie Reilly, Jackie Ward and Callum Dixon.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd February 2021.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 3^rd February 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which presents some of the key areas where the pandemic has had the most significant impact and invites discussion from the Scrutiny Board as to the most appropriate distribution of resources in tackling the long term impacts of Covid-19.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that presented some of the key areas where the pandemic has had the most significant impact and invited discussion from the Scrutiny Board as to the most appropriate distribution of resources in tackling the long term impacts of Covid-19.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children, Families and Adult Social Care

-  Sal Tariq, Director of Children and Families

-  Julie Longworth, Deputy Director of Children and Families

-  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer Strategy and Resources

-  Val Waite, Head of Service (Learning Inclusion)

-  Dave Clark, Head of Service (Learning Improvement)

-  Karen Jessup, Principal Educational Psychologist

-  Steven Ruse, Sustainable Schools Consultant

-  Erica Hiorns, Senior Secondary Improvement Advisor

-  Dr Jane Mischenko, Strategic Lead Commissioner, Children and Maternity, NHS Leeds CCG

-  Janice Burberry, Head of Public Health

-  Kathryn Ingold, Chief Officer / Consultant in Public Health

-  Lyndsey Mortimer, Service Delivery Manager, Families First

-  Victoria Fuggles, Youth Offer Lead

-  Richard Cracknell, Area Voice and Influence, Coordinator

-  Representatives of the Leeds Youth Council (Charlotte; Alannah; Attia; Ciara and Amelie)

The Director of Children and Families briefly introduced the report and particularly highlighted the importance of working collaboratively across the system to respond effectively to the consequential impacts of the pandemic.

The Chair explained that in view of the number of contributors in attendance for this item, the Board’s discussions would be structured around 4 particular themes: Education; Health & Well-being; Youth Service; Voice of Young People.

Linked to each theme, the Chair asked key contributors to answer the following questions:

Ø  What they regard to be potential long term impacts of Covid-19 on young people in Leeds from the perspective of their service area(s)?

Ø  How they would prioritise actions to help mitigate such impacts?

A summary of the main issues arising from the Board’s discussions is set out below:

Education

Members were advised that young peoples’ holistic development has presented a concern as a result of the pandemic, particularly for disadvantaged groups and those who have social and emotional mental health needs. As a result of additional pressure on support services and the increase in referrals for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), targeted work is taking place with the most vulnerable learners and those who traditionally do not engage with support services. Reference was made to the Pupil Wellbeing surveys which aim to support and guide schools (and services) to identify where intervention and support is most required to best establish and support pupils’ social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs following their return to school.  While survey completion is voluntary, it was noted that such surveys will remain available until July 2021, as they may prove useful for supporting pupils as and when they re-integrate into school following a prolonged period of absence.  While it was acknowledged that the current headline data arising  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2020/21 municipal year and outline proposals for the 2021/22 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that provided an overview of the work that has been undertaken by the Scrutiny Board this municipal year.  Also appended to the report was a draft work schedule of planned meeting dates for 2020/21, which included standard items of scrutiny activity linked to performance and budget monitoring and other items of work linked to commitments already made by the Board.

RESOLVED – That the current work schedule be approved and the draft work schedule for 2021/22 be noted.

To be confirmed.

To be confirmed.