Agenda and minutes

CO-OPTED MEMBERS (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)

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 P Drinkwater, and co-opted members Andrew Graham, Debbie Reilly and Emma Holmes. Councillor M Harland was in attendance as substitute.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board’s ordinary meeting held on 8^th July 2020 and also the Call In meeting held on 8^th July 2020.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 8 July 2020, at 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m., be approved as an accurate record.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families presenting an update on the ongoing progress made by Children and Families Services, working with partners and communities, in response to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that presented an update on the ongoing progress made by Children and Families Services, working with partners and communities, in response to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Early Years and Childcare Data

-  New advice for children and young people who have been shielding

The following were in attendance:

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

-  Cllr Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children and Families

-  Sal Tariq, Director of Children and Families

-  Julie Longworth, Deputy Director of Children and Families

-  Sue Rumbold, Chief Officer, Partnerships and Health

-  Val Waite, Head of Service Learning Inclusion

-  Dave Clark, Head of Service Learning Improvement

The Executive Member for Children and Families introduced the report, noting the exceptional efforts of social care teams, childcare providers and youth workers throughout the pandemic. Members were also advised that in recent months the Council has received a significant increase in foster carer applications, a capacity increase that will support the anticipated increase of children looked after due to a number of confirmed additional placements for unaccompanied asylum seeker children in Leeds.

The Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment also noted his thanks to the support provided to children and families in a range of settings throughout the pandemic, particularly praising the efforts of school staff to prepare over the summer for the full reopening of schools at the beginning of the academic year. The Director of Children and Families advised that some phased reopening had been necessary due to positive COVID-19 cases, but confirmed that all schools will reopen fully on the week commencing 14^th September 2020.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Attendance monitoring. In response to a query, Members were advised that local arrangements have been put in place to monitor attendance across school settings in Leeds, which, along with the Governments’ centralised system, will produce a clear data set and understanding. This information will be provided at the next meeting of the Board.

·  Shielded cohorts. Members sought clarity in relation to shielded groups, whether they are being encouraged to return to school, or if not appropriate, the home learning packages made available to them. Members were advised that children who have health conditions that make them more vulnerable if they were to contract COVID-19, or have a family member who is shielding, are all assessed on an individual basis by a paediatrician and their GP and providing that their needs can be met and are considered as part of a risk assessment, many have been encouraged to return to school this September. Additionally, members of staff in schools who are part of a shielded cohort are able to return to school upon the completion of a comprehensive risk assessment.

·  Maintaining ‘bubbles’ in school transport for SILCs. Members sought clarity on whether a ‘bubble’ is able to be maintained when transporting pupils to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services presenting a summary of evidence reflecting the position reached by the Scrutiny Board last year as part of its Inquiry into Exclusions, Elective Home Education and Off-rolling and to determine a suitable timeframe for resuming the Board’s inquiry work.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that presented a summary of evidence reflecting the position reached by the Scrutiny Board last year as part of its Inquiry into Exclusions, Elective Home Education and Off-rolling and to determine a suitable timeframe for resuming the Board’s inquiry work.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser introduced the report, noting that the pandemic had impacted a number of evidence gathering activities for the Board and therefore a decision was taken to pause the inquiry. As schools primary focus continues to be the safe return to school, resuming learning and pupil wellbeing, it was proposed that the Scrutiny Board’s Inquiry work is paused until at least January 2021 and that the Board reviews the position again at that stage to identify a suitable timeframe for resuming the Inquiry.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices, along with Members comments, be noted;

b)  That the Scrutiny Inquiry work be paused until at least January 2021;

c)  That the position be reviewed again in January 2021 to identify a suitable timeframe for resuming the Inquiry.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2020/21 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that invited Members to consider the Board’s Work Schedule for the remainder of the current municipal year.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser introduced the report and also highlighted that arrangements had been made to hold a remote working group meeting on 30^th September 2020 linked to the Board’s work surrounding budget saving proposals.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule for the remainder of the municipal year be noted.

Wednesday, 7^th October 2020 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.45 am)

Wednesday, 7th October 2020 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.45 am)