Agenda and minutes

Mr E A Britten - Church Representative (Catholic Diocese of Leeds)

Mr A Khitou – Primary Parent Governor Representative

Co-Opted Members Non-Voting

Ms H Bellamy – School Staff Representative

Ms K Blacker – Co-Opted Member

Ms J Ward – Co-Opted Member

Laura Whitaker – Young Lives Leeds

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 considered by the Board.

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 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:

Cllr Amanda Carter, with Cllr Trish Smith attending as substitute

Cllr Jordan Bowden, with Cllr Emma Flint attending as substitute

Cllr Jane Senior

Andrew Graham, Church Representative (Church of England)

Nick Tones, School Staff Representative

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2023.

In reference to Minute 58 a concern was raised around a follow up item on the Impact of Asylum changes on children and young people in Leeds not featuring in the work programme despite previous discussion on the subject. The Chair noted that it is still very much under consideration and will be brought forward at either the newly planned April meeting or earlier if possible.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 November 2023, be approved as an accurate record.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services providing the Board with an update on the in year financial position in respect of the Revenue Budget and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The Board considered a report from the Head of Democratic Services which provided an update on the in year financial position in respect of the Revenue Budget and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), highlighting the budgetary position of services within the Board’s remit.

In attendance for this item were:

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

·  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

·  Julie Longworth, Director of Children & Families

·  Phil Evans, Chief Officer Transformation and Partnerships

·  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer – Resources & Strategy

·  Louise Hornsey, Senior Head of Finance - People

The Executive Board Member for Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships made some introductory remarks setting out the scale of the challenges being faced by local authorities in managing children’s social care budgets.

The situation in Leeds, like elsewhere, is twofold. There is an increase in the number of children requiring care and more significantly the increase in cost of care in recent years. If the issue were only linked to increased numbers the budgetary position would be more manageable, but the costs of placements are now much higher. Key measures to reduce overspend is reducing the numbers entering care and supporting children and young people to leave care, some of those measures are highlighted in the paper being considered by the Board.

Responding to comments and questions from board members the following issues were discussed:

·  The Chair sought clarity on the overspend position contained in the report, does the overspend represent a worsening position based on the last time the report was considered by Executive Board and are there any estimates of a possible worst case scenario in terms of overspending on children looked after budgets. The Board heard that the position has worsened since the last report and the next update on this will be reported to Executive Board in February and as such work is ongoing on the projection and is not yet finalised. There are plans to do more detailed work on the projection to the February Executive Board, assessing the areas of risk in the budget and putting forward a projection that presents a position that will be less likely to change by the financial year end. 

Resolved: The Board noted the content of the report and the financial position in relation to service areas that fall within its remit.   

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces the Executive Board’s proposed budget for 2024/25 for consideration, review and comment on matters and proposals that fall within the Board’s remit.

The Board considered a report from the Head of Democratic Services that introduces the Council’s proposed budget for 2024/25 and provisional budgets for 2025/26 and 2026/27 for consideration, review and comment on matters and proposals that fall within the Scrutiny Board’s remit. Following consideration of the report feedback from this board will be incorporated into a composite report that will be submitted to Executive Board for consideration on 7 February 2024 as set out in the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Executive Board Member for Culture, Economy and Education

·  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children Social Care and Health Partnerships

·  Julie Longworth, Director of Children & Families

·  Phil Evans, Chief Officer Transformation and Partnerships

·  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer – Resources & Strategy

·  Louise Hornsey, Senior Head of Finance - People

·  Rob Clayton, Principal Scrutiny Adviser

By way of introduction the Senior Head of Finance – People, set out that key elements of the report which were the overall £58.4m saving requirement that the Council will need to make to deliver a balanced budget in 2024/25, for Children and Families the saving requirement is £16.5m and these proposals have been detailed in reports to Executive Board in October and December 2023. All local authorities are required by law, to set a balanced budget.

In terms of wider context, the Director of Children and Families highlighted the funding challenges around children looked after. In terms of numbers of children in care Leeds is performing well when compared to statistical neighbours, the numbers have increased but not on the same scale as in other areas. It was noted that increases in child poverty is a driver for children entering care, and in Leeds deprivation levels have increased and lower super output areas have increased with 12 neighbourhoods classed as being in the most deprived 1% in the UK. In addition to this there has been an increase in adolescent populations in the most deprived areas which has further added to demand pressures.

In response to comments and questions from board members the following discussion took place:

·  Board members were supportive of the invest to save approach which will see more in house provision delivered through new children’s homes. However, there was also concern around the lengthening timescales of delivering the new small group living homes and the risks that are identified in the papers around successful delivery. In response it was noted that the timescales have been subject to robust testing and there is a desire to be cautious and as rigorous as possible. Risks associated with establishing the homes are linked to staffing, refurbishment and registration of the homes which can be a lengthy process. Mitigation of risk is ongoing, a good example of that being the discussions taking place with Ofsted around how registration of the homes can be expedited as quickly as possible by establishing a ‘pipeline’ approach of other means.

·  Members were also interested in ensuring that the need to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which provides a summary of performance information relating to outcomes for Leeds children and young people in Leeds.

Members received a report from the Director of Children and Families which provided a summary of performance information relating to outcomes for children and young people in Leeds.

In attendance for this item were:

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

·  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children Social Care and Health Partnerships

·  Julie Longworth, Director of Children & Families

·  Chris Hudson, Performance Programme Manager

·  Dan Barton, Deputy Director – Learning

The Director of Children and Families provided a brief introduction. The report is intended to provide assurance around the health of the children’s social care system in Leeds along with details on key performance information. It is also worth noting that this is the first performance report brought forward since the refreshed Children and Young People’s Plan 2023-28 was agreed and there is an update provided on the three obsessions within the paper.

It was noted that the Key Stage 4 figures for 2022/23 could be subject to change as a final data release is awaited from the DfE. The Annual Standards report which regularly comes to the Board will provide more detailed information on attainment, in addition to the headline figures that are covered in today’s report.

In response to members questions and comments the following points were covered:

·  The Chair raised a question in relation to EHCPs and statutory timescales, seeking clarity on the number of EHC assessments issued within the 20 week timescale. In response the Board heard that there has been a significant increase in demand for EHCPs in Leeds (118% increase in demand since 2016 and in 2023, 954 completed assessments compared to 374 in 2022) which had driven both the internal improvement work being led by the directorate and the inquiry work being undertaken by the Board.

·  The Board asked for more details on the attainment figures and comparison with statistical neighbours. performance in Leeds is broadly in line with statistical neighbours and in respect of Progress 8 Leeds is ahead. Members were keen to understand some of the changes in attainment data with Leeds performing better in some areas but with national figures in some areas appearing to have fallen. The Board were informed that post pandemic there are changes in attainment data in part attributable some of the experiences of children during the pandemic i.e. reduced access to school and nursery provision. In summary the figures presented are linked to both improvement in Leeds and some reduction in attainment at national level. The Board noted that this could be considered as a future item of scrutiny in the next municipal year.

·  Board members asked about attainment in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 and any mapping that has taken place around when improvements might be seen in those cohorts. The Board heard that the Council has high ambitions for attainment at all stages of education and that work done at an earlier age will have a greater impact further down the line in terms of attainment, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services that provides a summary from the EHCP Inquiry Working Group held in November 2023 and details of the latest Executive Board report from December 2023 – ‘Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) – Review Process – Update Report’ setting out the latest position on the ongoing review of EHCP and SEND services in the city.

The Board received a report from the Head of Democratic Services providing a summary from the EHCP Inquiry Working Group held in November 2023 and details of the latest Executive Board report from December 2023 – ‘Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) – Review Process – Update Report’ setting out the latest position on the ongoing, directorate led review of EHCP and SEND services in the city.

In attendance for this item were:

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

·  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children Social Care and Health Partnerships

·  Julie Longworth, Director of Children & Families

·  Dan Barton, Deputy Director - Learning

·  Phil Evans, Chief Officer Transformation and Partnerships

·  Maria Adams, Co-Vice Chair Leeds Parent Carer Forum 

·  Heather Jafar, Co-Vice Chair Leeds Parent Carer Forum 

·  Julie Hutchinson, LPCF Steering Group

·  Rob Clayton, Principal Scrutiny Adviser

The Principal Scrutiny Advisor briefly introduced this item, setting out key elements of the report and appendices. The item brought together two work streams for Board member consideration. At Appendix 1 a December Executive Board report was provided to the Board which set out the latest position on the improvement work being undertaken by the directorate supported by PwC and at Appendix 2 a summary of a Scrutiny Board Working Group held on 23 November 2023 which was an evidence gathering session aimed at hearing the lived experiences of parents and carers in Leeds through feedback from the Leeds Parent Carer Forum (LPCF). These two areas of work, one led by scrutiny and the other by the directorate have similar aims in that they are intended to drive improvements in the provision of EHCP support in Leeds.

During board member questions and comments the following points were covered:

·  The Director of Children and Families welcomed the feedback received from the LPCF through the working group and working group summary document. The directorate is committed to hearing from children and families and recognised that parents and carers are experts in the lives of their families.

·  The significant problems in the delivery of EHCP support in the city have been identified and prioritised, not just in terms of meeting statutory EHCP timescales but more broadly there is a need to deliver improvements in the whole SEND system. This led to the commissioning of an independent, ‘root and branch’ review of EHCP and SEND services in Leeds, which is now being delivered in partnership with PwC.

·  It was noted that this review has come at a financial cost, but it was felt that this was necessary in order to deliver a rigorous and far reaching review with concrete outcomes and development of a new vision and clear improvement plan for these services.

·  The Chief Officer Transformation and Partnerships introduced Appendix 1 and pointed to the detail at paragraph 1.3 which set out the principles of the improvement work being done by the directorate, these are as follows:

Ø  Codesign a future way of working with families.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

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

The report of the Head of Democratic Services requested Members to consider the Board’s work programme for 2023/24 municipal year.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser informed the Board that Appendix 1 was the latest draft of the work programme for the year.

Noting the discussion that took place under item 10 regarding a possible, additional meeting in April The Adviser set out options for that and noted both Easter and Passover as dates to avoid. The Board agreed to the additional meeting which will assist with the completion of work on the Provision of EHCP Support in Leeds.

In addition, the PSA referenced that the Board will now be considering the Draft Youth Justice Plan as part of the Budget and Policy Framework process at its March meeting.

Plans for a further item on the Impact of Asylum Changes on Children in Leeds will be included in the work programme for March or April 2024.

Lastly it was noted that the Board has discussed a specific SEND co-opted member for 2024/25 and it was agreed that the PSA could commence work on this and bring a report back to the Board in February.

RESOLVED –

The Board:

a)  noted the work programme for the 2023/24 municipal year.

b)  agreed in principle to an additional Board meeting in April

c)  agreed that a report on a SEND co-opted members could be brought to the next meeting.

The next public meeting of the Board will take place on 22 February 2024 at 2.00PM. There will be a pre-meeting for all board members at 1.45pm.

The next public meeting of the Board will take place on 22 February 2024 at 2.00PM. There will be a pre-meeting for all board members at 1.45pm.