Agenda and minutes

CO-OPTED MEMBER (VOTING)

Mr E A Britten - Church Representative (Catholic)

Mrs K Blacker – Parent Governor Representative (Primary)

Ms J Ward – Parent Governor Representative (Secondary)

CO-OPTED MEMBERS (NON-VOTING)

Mr N Tones – School Staff Representative

Ms H Bellamy – School Staff Representative

Ms L Whitaker - Young Lives Leeds

At the start of the meeting, the Chair welcomed the attendance of Sal Tariq and in acknowledging his new role as Director of the Strengthening Families Protecting Children Programme, the Chair took the opportunity to also pay tribute to Sal for his achievements in his previous role as Director of Children and Families.  The Chair also relayed his thanks to Sal for the support he had provided to the work of Scrutiny over the years.

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 against the refusal of inspection of documents.

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 of business.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C Howley, Councillor J Senior and co-opted member Andrew Graham.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th July 2022.

A Member of the Board requested that the draft minutes be amended in relation to Minute no. 20 (Ofsted Inspection Report) so that further clarity is provided surrounding the personnel query that had been raised i.e. that a Board Member had sought confirmation of the existence of a collective grievance by social work staff.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the amendment reflected above, the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th July 2022 be approved as an accurate record.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services regarding the appointment of a new co-opted member to the Children and Families Scrutiny Board.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which explained that the appointment of non-voting school staff representation has been a longstanding approach adopted by the Children and Families Scrutiny Board and following the retirement of Celia Foote in July, the School Staff Joint Consultative Committee had nominated Mr Nick Tones to replace Celia’s position on the Scrutiny Board for this municipal year.  The Board was therefore asked to formally approve the appointment of Mr Tones as a non-voting co-opted member to the Board.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser also highlighted to the Board that another co-opted member – Kate Blacker – would also be coming to the end of her 4-year term as a parent governor representative on the Scrutiny Board on 26^th September. Linked to this, processes are in place to find a replacement parent governor representative to join the Scrutiny Board from October. 

However, it was proposed that the Board considers appointing Kate as a non-voting co-opted member for the remainder of this municipal year.  This is in view of the experience and professional knowledge that Kate has brought to the Board over the last 4 years, as well as the benefit of membership continuity with regards to work that the Board is following up on this year.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Board approves the appointment of Nick Tones as a non-voting co-opted member to the Children and Families Scrutiny Board

(b)  That the Board approves the appointment of Kate Blacker as a non-voting co-opted member to the Children and Families Scrutiny Board as from 26^th September 2022.

To receive an update report from the Director of Children and Families on the preparations linked to the refresh of the Children and Young People’s Plan.

The Board received the report from the Director of Children and Families on the refresh of the Children and Young People’s Plan, and were invited to give views, specifically in three areas;

a) The content of the plan, especially the vision and the obsession.

b) The consultation and timetable for developing and approving the plan.

c) The implementation and monitoring of the plan

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

·  Councillor David Jenkins, Deputy Executive Member

·  Sal Tariq, Director Strengthening Families Protecting Children Programme

·  Ruth Terry, Chief Officer for Social Work

·  Chris Hudson, Policy, Planning and Procedures Leader

·  Dave Clark, Head of Service Learning Improvement

·  Erica Hiorns, Leadership and Management Lead

The following issues were raised during the Board’s discussion:

Ø  Revisiting the wording of the Vision – reflecting on its discussion in July, the Board particularly welcomed the proposal to change the wording of the vision to reference ‘play’ and ‘fun’.  In welcoming the new reference made to children living in ‘loving and nurturing’ families, it was suggested that this could be extended to include communities more broadly too.  Members also discussed the removal of the original reference made to improving outcomes faster for children and young people from vulnerable and deprived backgrounds, with some acknowledging that a perceived stigma of poverty may deter people from accessing services that would be beneficial to them.

Ø  Impact of poverty - the Board discussed the impact of poverty on the children of Leeds and how the emerging cost of living crisis will compound existing inequalities within the city. Particular reference was made to taking a Marmot approach to supporting families to give children the best start in life linked to the commitment of Leeds becoming a Marmot City.  It was noted that the Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Scrutiny Board would be receiving an update surrounding the Marmot City commitment in October.

Ø  Refresh of the obsessions – the Board noted the proposed merging of two obsessions (improve achievement, attainment and attendance at school; reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training) into a new learning destinations obsession, and the introduction of a health-focused obsession.  The children looked after obsession would remain unchanged.

Ø  Supporting families in encouraging a love of reading – the Board discussed initiatives for supporting parents/carers – particularly those who are lacking in confidence with reading – to read with their children.  Reference was also made to maximising the use of technology and signposting families to free online services too.

Ø  Library provision – the Board recognised the importance of schools providing a library service for pupils and where this is not provided on site, then links with nearby library services should be made accessible. It was noted that partnerships have been made with the Leeds Libraries Services.

Ø  Reflecting and addressing the varying needs of children and young people across different community groups and areas – the Board stressed the importance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which provides a summary of the recent Schools Bill for the Scrutiny Board’s consideration.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Children and Families regarding the government’s recently published Schools Bill.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

·  Councillor David Jenkins, Deputy Executive Member

·  Dave Clark, Head of Service Learning Improvement

·  Val Waite, Head of Service Learning Inclusion

·  Erica Hiorns, Leadership and Management Lead

The Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education and the Head of Service Learning Improvement gave a brief introduction to the report and in doing so, had reminded the Board that the Schools Bill remains subject to amendment as it continues its journey through Parliament.  It was also noted that the council is still awaiting more detailed information from the Department for Education, particularly in terms of academisation plans locally.

The Board discussed several aspects of the Schools Bill, including:

Ø  Academisation and the Leeds specific picture – It was noted that, while it will no longer be a mandatory requirement, the government still had ambitions for all schools to be part of a strong multi-academy trust by 2030.  Linked to this, the Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education had referred to councils being able to initiate academy conversion (subject to parliamentary approval) but informed the Board that he would not be inclined to use this power.

Ø  A register of children not in school – linked to the Board’s earlier inquiry work which had focused on elective home education, Members noted the government’s intention to legislate a duty on councils to keep a register of children not in school.  While the council has historically aimed to maintain such a register, the proposed new duty on parents and out-of-school education providers to provide information to the council should help improve the accuracy of this register. However, it was noted that the council is still awaiting further details surrounding this matter.

Ø  Defining what is suitable education – while acknowledging that the council has always sought to provide support to registered home-educating families in delivering a suitable education for their child, forthcoming legislation will be making this requirement.  The Board therefore asked whether further clarity was expected in defining the term ‘suitable education’ and was informed that there had been no suggestion from the government that this would be forthcoming.

Ø  Appropriate Bodies – linked to the DfE plans to make Teaching School Hubs the main providers of Appropriate Body services to replace the role of local authorities, it was felt that this removal of local authority oversight may lead to conflicts of interest.

Ø  Funding implications for existing maintained schools – the Board was assured that work is already underway by the council’s finance team in considering any potential funding implications stemming from this new piece of legislation.

Ø  Penalties for breaching attendance orders – while it was noted that the maximum penalty for breaching an attendance order will increase to a £2,500 fine or up to 3 month’s imprisonment, the Board was assured that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that presented the Board’s latest work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

With regard to the Board’s forthcoming inquiry into Children’s Services Workforce Planning, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser highlighted that it is now proposed that a working group meeting be held to discuss the potential scope for this inquiry, with a view to bringing the draft terms of reference back to the Board in October for approval.  The date of this working group meeting was confirmed as Wednesday 28th September at 10 am.

In consideration of the Board’s latest work schedule, a Member of the Board referred to the planned work item in October relating to the Notification of Serious Child Safeguarding Incidents Review Findings.  Linked to this, a request was made for the Board to also receive the findings of the Child A review, which relates to the case that had led the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership Executive to undertake a review of the notifications process.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule be updated to reflect the above updates and comments.

Wednesday, 12^th October 2022 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.45 am)

Wednesday, 12^th October 2022 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.45 am)