Agenda and minutes

Mr A Graham – Church Representative (Church of England)

Mr T Britten – Church Representative (Catholic Diocese of Leeds)

Co-Opted Members (Non-Voting)

Ms H Bellamy – School Staff Representative

Ms K Blacker

Before moving into the substantive items on the agenda, the Chair of the Board put on record his thanks and the thanks of the Board to Jackie Ward who has been a board member for 14 years as a co-opted member and who has contributed significantly to the work of the Board and Council during that time. This meeting was the last Jackie would be attending before stepping down as a non-voting co-opted member.

In addition, the Chair added his thanks and those of the Board to Cllr Caroline Gruen who was attending her last scrutiny board meeting before retirement. Cllr Cohen noted the contributions made by Cllr Gruen to the Council generally but specifically in two areas, in planning and in work with children and young people. Through contributions to plans panels Cllr Gruen’s contribution to scene and place will be noted by residents for years to come. In respect of children and young people it was noted that this will not be as obvious, but that Cllr Gruen has made a major contribution and impacted the lives of children and young people over many years.

Cllr Venner also recorded her thanks for the commitment Cllr Gruen has shown in her role in terms of detailed analysis of issues and providing challenge. In addition, it was noted how much Cllr Gruen enjoyed working with children and young people and the contribution made to services for them in the city both through local work such as youth summits and through work on the Children and Families Scrutiny Board.

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 was no exempt information.

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.

The Board received the following apologies with substitutes listed where present:

Cllr Amanda Carter – Cllr Billy Flynn attending as substitute

Cllr Jordan Bowden – Cllr Andy Rontree attending as substitute

Anas Khitou

Jackie Ward

Laura Whitaker

Cllr Jane Senior

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2024.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 March 2024, be approved as an accurate record.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that presents for agreement an inquiry report following the Board’s scrutiny inquiry into the provision of EHCP support in Leeds. This takes account of comment and suggested amendments at the meeting held on 27 March 2024.

The Board considered a report from the Head of Democratic Services that presented, for agreement, an inquiry report following the Board’s scrutiny inquiry into the provision of EHCP support in Leeds. This also took account of comment and suggested amendments at the meeting held on 27 March 2024.

In attendance for this item were:

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

·  Julie Longworth, Director of Children & Families

·  Dan Barton, Deputy Director – Learning

·  Phil Evans, Chief Officer Transformation and Partnerships

·  Rob Clayton, Principal Scrutiny Adviser

By way of introduction the Executive Member for Economy, Culture, and Education noted the ongoing work being done by the directorate to clear back logs and the wider work to improve processes in the future. The Executive Member also noted ongoing correspondence with Government around funding for children with SEND in Leeds and disparities with children living elsewhere in the country. It was highlighted that the correspondence from Government acknowledged that the funding formula being used was designed like that and that the funding disparities were a part of that and not an accident or an unintended consequence of the formula. It was agreed that the latest correspondence from Government would be shared with the Board following the meeting today.

The Board has identified funding issues as one of its recommendations in the inquiry report and it was agreed that as a follow up to that a letter from the Board would be sent to the Government setting out concerns in Leeds and the need for a review of the formula, this will be sent to Board members for comment before being issued to the Government.

The Chair noted attendance from the Leeds Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) observing the meeting from the audience, following the evidence put forward from them during the inquiry. The Chair also thanked the LPCF for their contributions and their ongoing work in this area.

Following questions and comment from Board members the following discussion took place:

·  Members noted the recommendation around input and co-production from families and the need for this to be central to future work. The Chair noted ongoing plans to have a representative from the LPCF on the Board as a co-opted member.

·  Board members also noted the recommendation on digital EHCPs and stressed the need for accessibility for all residents albeit that digital would be suitable for most people.

·  Board members highlighted the role of the LPCF in the inquiry work and how the care they had for their children had shone through in the work carried out by the Board. It was therefore necessary for the inquiry recommendations to be focussed on and delivered sequentially to improve services for parents, carers and their children and young people.

·  The Board heard of ongoing work by the directorate on communication between senior leaders and the LPCF and of the commitment to a ‘you said, we did’ approach to delivering change and improvement and a clear commitment to co-production of services. As part of this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services on the appointment of co-opted members to the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) following discussion of potential changes in the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Board received a report from the Head of Democratic Services on the appointment of co-opted members to the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) following discussion of potential changes during the 2023/24 municipal year.

In attendance for this item were:

Rob Clayton, Principal Scrutiny Advisor

By way of introduction the Principal Scrutiny Adviser set out the background to this item which had arisen from board member comments on having a SEND co-opted member and a view that the Board could more formally and consistently seek the views of children and young people on the reports being put before them.

Following member comments and questions the following issues were discussed:

·  It was suggested that in addition to the proposal to have a non-voting co-opted member with a SEND specialism or background that the Board should also seek to appoint a voting parent governor co-opted member from a Special School in the city. The Board also thought that the non-voting co-opted member should come from the Leeds Parent Carer Forum who had contributed significantly to the inquiry report on the Provision of EHCP Support. This was agreed to by the Board.

·  In addition to this Cllr Stephenson suggested that a third non-voting co-opted member should be considered from a social work background to provide balance amongst the five non-voting co-opted members which currently has two school staff representatives, social work representing a significant element of the directorates work along with education and teaching. As part of the proposal, it was accepted that a Leeds City Council staff member could not sit on a scrutiny board.

·  It was noted that, if necessary, this might involve the expansion of non-voting co-opted members from five to six through the appropriate processes which would be through the General Purposes Committee and if approved there, Full Council.

·  Some Board members were not supportive of this approach setting out the difficulty in finding an individual who would be in a position to represent social work staff who was not a member of staff and due to the other forums available for staff representation such as Joint Consultative Committees (JCC) where liaison between the council, staff and Trade Unions takes place regularly.

·  It was also noted that staff who regularly attend the Board as witnesses such as the Director of Children and Families and Deputy Director Social Care are social workers. Furthermore, the Board can call witnesses from the frontline to assist with work items should that be required by the Board and this would include social workers.

·  Following further debate Cllr Stephenson moved a motion, seconded by Cllr Flynn to expand the number of non-voting co-opted members (Scrutiny Board procedure Rule 8.1) on the board from 5 to 6 through the appropriate channel which would be General Purposes Committee and Full Council and that if that were approved the non-voting co-opted member would have experience in or be from a social work background.

·  Following a majority vote by show of hands by Board Members (excluding voting co-opted members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

Members are asked to note the appended 2023/24 end-of-year statement for the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) and, subject to any agreed amendments, approve its publication.

The Board considered the appended 2023/24 end-of-year statement for the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) and agreed to its publication.

Resolved The Board approved the 2023/24 end of year statement for the Scrutiny Board (Children & Families) and agreed to its publication.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Board considered the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the 2023/24 municipal year.

In attendance for this item was:

Rob Clayton, Principal Scrutiny Adviser

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser provided the following updates:

·  It was noted that the draft dates for the next municipal year and work items to recommend to the successor board in 2024/25 are included in the report.

Resolved

The Board:

a)  Considered the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the 2023/24 municipal year;

b)  Noted the draft meeting dates for 2024/25; and

c)  Agreed the items to be recommended to the successor board in the 2024/25 municipal year

Subject to the Annual Council Meeting, the next public meeting of the Board will take place on 12 June 2024 at 10.30am. There will be a pre-meeting for all board members at 10.00AM.

Subject to the Annual Council Meeting and any other adjustments the next public meeting of the Board is initially scheduled for 12 June 2024 at 10.30am with a pre-meeting for all board members at 10.00AM. The Chair noted that this date could be subject to change.