Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services which is the second of two reports in 2012 providing an update on the work being undertaken within Children’s Services.

(report attached)

  The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report on key issues and developments concerning Children’s Services in Leeds and setting out local children’s cluster information relevant to the Outer East area

  Mary Armitage – Integrated Processes Head of Service, Children’s Services presented the report and provided further information on cluster working which provided the basis for providing additional support to children, young people and their families

  Members discussed the report, particularly around school clusters and expressed concern that little information had been provided to Members about the clusters, which needed to be addressed.  Concerns were also raised that there had been little opportunity for Ward Members to become involved in what were important organisations.  The matter of funding for cluster development was also raised in view of the changes from next year whereby funding would be made directly available to schools

  Mary Armitage agreed to take Members’ concerns back to the Director of Children’s Services

  The South East Area Leader suggested facilitating a meeting with Outer East Members and the Executive Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Blake, to discuss this issue in more detail

  RECOMMENDED –

a)  To note the report and the comments made

b)  That the South East Area Leader be asked to arrange and facilitate a meeting for Outer East Members with Councillor Blake and relevant officers, if considered appropriate, to discuss in more detail the subject of Children’s Trust Clusters and the involvement of Members in these

During consideration of this matter, Councillor Dobson left the meeting