Agenda and minutes

The Chair thanked all Members of the Scrutiny Board for their hard work throughout the 2011/12 municipal year, particularly the contributions of Councillors Driver and Ewens, who were standing down at the forthcoming local elections.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

In accordance with her powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair admitted to the agenda, the following late information:

• Agenda item 10 – Scrutiny Inquiry Report – Combating Child Poverty and Raising Aspirations (Minute No. 93 refers)
• Agenda item 11 – Scrutiny Inquiry Report – Improving School Attendance (Minute No. 94 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.

All Members of the Scrutiny Board declared a personal interest in agenda item 7, Scrutiny Inquiry Session 3 – Increasing the number of young people in Employment, Education or Training (EET), in their capacity as Governors at various primary and secondary schools across Leeds.  (Minute No. 90 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors P Latty and A McKenna and Co-opted Members, Ms N Cox, Mrs S Hutchinson and Ms T Kayani.  Notification had been received that Councillor J Hardy was to substitute for Councillor A McKenna and Councillor G Wilkinson for Councillor P Latty.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th March 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2012 be approved as a correct record.

Minute No. 82 – Work Schedule

The Chair referred to Minute No. 224 of the Executive Board held on 7 March 2012.  Members were informed that there had been a request for scrutiny in relation to ‘Basic Need 2012: Carr Manor and Roundhay: All Through Schools Revised Costs’.  It was advised that this matter would be considered at the June Scrutiny Board meeting.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services presenting evidence to the Board on increasing the number of young people in employment, education or training (EET).

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which presented evidence in line with session 3 of the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry into increasing the number of young people in employment, education or training (EET).

The following information was appended to the report:

-  The Education Act 2011 – The duty to secure independent and impartial careers guidance for young people in schools – statutory guidance for schools

-  NEET data and analysis

-  Draft Seacroft Manston Cluster NEET Action Plan – April 2012

-  The11-19 (25) Learning and Support Partnership – Terms of Reference

-  Leeds 11-19 (25) Learning and Support Plan 2011-2015.

The following Members, officers and external representatives attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Councillor Blake, Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Councillor Dowson, Chair of 11-19 Learning and Support Partnership

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Gary Milner, Head of 14-19 Strategy, Children’s Services

-  Andrea Cowans, 14-19 Learner Support Manager

-  Georgiana Sale, Headteacher – City of Leeds High School

-  Jill Wood, Headteacher – Little London Primary School

-  Mark Smith, Cluster Manager – Seacroft and Manston

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Further information to be provided to the Scrutiny Board in relation to youth contract funding for 16-17 age group.

·  Investment in information and guidance services.

·  Greater support for vulnerable families.

·  Support for schools and other providers, particularly through the work of Leeds Pathways.

·  Concerns about socially disadvantaged families and establishing a city wide response to this through restorative practices, e.g. family group conferencing.

·  The benefits of intensive mentoring support.

·  Concerns about those individuals that were homeless or living in temporary accommodation.

·  Data protection constraints to tackling individual cases.

·  The impact of welfare reform on vulnerable families.

·  Development of role models at schools – Little London Primary School held ‘World at Work Wednesdays’ which focussed on a different profession each week.

·  The importance of developing good practice and consistency across clusters.

·  The role of youth services, particularly in tackling ‘not known’ figures.

·  Establishment of key business partners across all primary and secondary schools.

RESOLVED – That the relevant issues considered be incorporated in the draft report of the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services in response to the Board’s inquiry report on External Placements.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report in response to the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry report on external placements.

The following Executive Member and officer attended the meeting:

-  Councillor Blake, Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director, Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services.

RESOLVED – That the proposed responses outlined in the report be approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services regarding the progress with the review of Leeds City Council children’s homes.

This item was deferred to the July Scrutiny Board (Children and Families).

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.  Members are asked to consider and agree the Board’s report following its inquiry into combating Child Poverty and Raising Aspirations.

(Inquiry report to follow as a late supplementary item)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which asked Members to consider and agree the Scrutiny Board’s report following its inquiry into combating child poverty and raising aspirations.

The following Executive Member and officers attended the meeting:

-  Councillor Blake, Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director, Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services

-  Kate Arscott, Principal Scrutiny Adviser.

Members emphasised the importance of further work in relation to child poverty.  It was suggested that this could be reflected in the draft scrutiny inquiry report.

Members agreed that additional supporting information was required in the report which explained the inquiry in more detail, however that they were happy with the recommendations contained in the report. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the draft scrutiny inquiry report be amended to reflect the need for further work in relation to child poverty.

(b)  That subject to the addition of supporting information and the comments above, the Scrutiny Board’s recommendations contained in the report following its inquiry into combating child poverty and raising aspirations, be approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.  Members are asked to consider and agree the Board’s report following its inquiry into improving school attendance.

(Inquiry report to follow as a late supplementary item)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which asked Members to consider and agree the Scrutiny Board’s report following its inquiry into improving school attendance.

The following Executive Member and officers attended the meeting:

-  Councillor Blake, Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director, Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services

-  Jancis Andrews, Head of Service, Attendance Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Board’s report following its inquiry into improving school attendance, be approved.

(The meeting concluded at 11.51am.)