Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the November meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services).

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:-

  Agenda Item 10 – ‘Connexions Intensive Support Wedge Based Contract’ – The Joint Preventative Commissioning Panel (JPCP) report and addendum, the contract award report and appendices 1 to 8 under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3).

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following part 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:-

Agenda Item 10 – ‘Connexions Intensive Support Wedge Based Contract’ – The Joint Preventative Commissioning Panel (JPCP) report and addendum, the contract award report and appendices 1 to 8 under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3).  Minute No. 63 refers

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

The following personal interests were declared in relation to Agenda Item 7, Scrutiny Inquiry - The Implications of Population Growth for Children's Services in Leeds.  Minute No. 60 refers.

Councillor Renshaw as she is a governor at East Ardsley Primary, Seven Hills Primary and Rodillian High Schools.  Also due to her Membership of the Rothwell and Ardsley & Tingley Extended Services Clusters.

Councillor Driver as he is a governor at Middleton Primary and Windmill Primary Schools.

Councillor Selby as he is a Governor at Cross Gates Primary and Grange Farm Primary Schools.

Councillor Cleasby as a governor of Westbrook Lane and Benton Park Schools.

Mr Britten as a governor of Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School

(n.b.  The Clerk to the meeting advised that it was not necessary to declare interests as the report concerned did not refer to specific schools).

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Lancaster, Mrs S Hutchinson and Ms T Kayani.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 12^th October 2009 and 15^th October 2009.

The minutes of the meetings held on 12 October and 15 October 2009, were confirmed as correct records.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting evidence in line with the second session of the Board’s Inquiry into the Implications of Population Growth for Children's Services in Leeds.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented evidence in line with the second session of the Board’s Inquiry into the Impact of Population Growth on Children’s Services in Leeds.

Appended to the report was the following information:

-  The impact of population growth on children’s services in Leeds – agreed terms of reference

-  Report produced by Education Leeds on behalf of Children’s Services summarising the evidence requested in the terms of reference.

The following officers attended the meeting and gave a powerpoint presentation – ‘Service perspectives on Demographic Change’

-  John Maynard, Strategic Leader, Children’s Services

-  Clare Walker, Project Manager (Business Intelligence)

-  Jackie Wilson,

-  Julia Manning

-  Jane Mischenko, Head of Maternity and Children’s Services, LTHT

-  George Turnbull, Head of Service, School Organisation, Education Leeds.

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:

• Identified rises in birth rates.
• Teenage conception.
• Migration into the City.
• Childcare planning.
• Higher population growth in areas of deprivation.
• Partnership working between Health and Education providers.
• Children’s and Young People’s Social Care.
• Responses and Actions.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Birth rate statitstics were provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and data received was two years behind.  There had been an unexpected rise in birth rates and migration to the City.
• Development of new housing and links with planners and developers.
• Potential impact on SILCS and associated school transport issues due to population growth.
• The second wave of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and how this could provide opportunity to re-scale provision in schools to address population growth.
• There was a current surplus inPrimary Schools across the City.
• Sharing of information between services and organisations to assist the planning process.
• Recruitment issues for service providers.
• Parental choice and demand for places in popular schools.

The Chair thanked those present for their attendance.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised at the second session of the Inquiry, be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the revised delegated decision, confirming the original decision to award the contract to igen published on 23 October 2009.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented the revised delegated decision, confirming the original decision to award the contract to igen published on 23^rd October 2009.

The following information was appended to the report for Members’ information:

-  Report outlining the specific areas for reconsideration at the Call-In meeting on 12^th October 2009

-  Revised Delegated Decision Notification form – D36073

-  Report of the Youth Strategy Implementation Manager to the Chief Officer for Early Years and Integrated Youth Support Services – 22^nd October 2009 – Connexions Phase Two Tender Evaluation Outcome Recommendations.

The following information was confirmed as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3):

-  Report of the Youth Strategy Implementation Manager to the Joint Preventative Commissioning Panel 27^th August 2009 – Recommendation relating to the IYSS Wedge Tender Evaluation Outcome – Report and appendices, including the main reasons for the confirmed decision, set against the areas for reconsideration identified by the Scrutiny Board at the Call-In meeting on 12^th October 2009.

The following representatives from Children’s Services attended the meeting:

-  Sally Threlfall, Chief Officer for Early Years and Integrated Youth Support Services

-  John Paxton, Head of Integrated Youth Support Services.

Members briefly discussed the need to give this matter any further consideration and it was proposed that the item be withdrawn.

Following a vote of Members, it was:

RESOLVED – That the item be withdrawn.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting Leeds Youth Council’s response to recommendations arising from the Young People’s Scrutiny Forum report on ‘Protecting our Environment’.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented Leeds Youth Council’s response to recommendations arising from the Young People’s Scrutiny Forum report on ‘Protecting our Environment’.

RESOLVED – That the Board endorses the views of the Youth Council as a starting point for the joint scrutiny and Youth Council working group.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlining the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the remainder of the current municipal year.

A report was submitted by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which detailed the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the remainder of the current municipal year.

Appended to the report for Members’ information was the current version of the Board’s work programme, an update on working group activity, an extract from the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st November 2009 to 28^th February 2010, which related to the Board’s remit, together with the minutes from the Executive Board meeting held on 14^th October 2009.

Further issues discussed included the following:

• That the 21^st Century Schools Inquiry should be deferred
• Noting of Working Group Activity – Members were thanked for their input.
• Consultation on the expansion of primaty provision in Leeds.

RESOLVED – That subject to comments raised at the meeting, the work programme be approved.

To note that the next meeting of the Scrutiny Board will be held on Thursday, 10^th December 2009 at 9.45 am with a pre meeting for Board Members at 9.15 am.

Thursday 10^th December 2009 at 9.45 am with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.15 am.

(The meeting concluded at 12:05 p.m.)