Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J Macrae

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2017

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2017

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no whipping declarations

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak

To receive a presentation on the impact of the changes to Children Centre provision.

Consideration was given to a presentation updating Members on the Children Centre Provision in Cheshire East. The presentation provided an overview of:

·         The original expectations of Children’s Centres

·         National Policy Changes

·         Performance over the past two years

·         Future focus and delivery plans

With regard to the de-designation of children centres, Members commented that there were lessons to be learnt around communication with partners.

It was agreed that as the Mobile Children’s Centre had only been in operation for a short while, a report on its success would be brought back to the Committee at a later date.

RESOLVED

That the issue remain on the work programme for monitoring purposes and an update be received on the mobile Children’s Centre in due course.

To receive an overview of performance across the Children and Families Service for quarter 3 of 2016-17.

Consideration was given to the performance against agreed measures across the Children and Families Service for quarter 3, 2016-17. The performance scorecard provided essential data along with qualitative information to measure the effectiveness of services within children’s services.

In regard to Performance Indicator reference 2.3 and 2.4, Members expressed concern that the situation had not improved for the Councils Cared for Children. Members requested that information on the data for the breakdown of adoptions be circulated to the Committee.

With regard to care leavers, Members questioned the suitability of accommodation and the support received after leaving care. It was agreed that the Committee may wish to set up a Task and Finish Group to investigate this further and that information previously received by the Corporate Parenting Committee and a previous Task and Finish Group report on care Leavers be circulated to the Committee. The Committee also requested confirmation that under the new arrangements for Housing Benefits, 19-21 year old care leavers would still receive benefits.

In regard to Performance Indicator reference 2.11, Members raised strong concern that the number of initial health assessments completed by paediatricians within 20 days had not improved. Councillor G Hayes, in his capacity of Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Committee agreed to write to the CCG’s expressing Members concerns.

RESOLVED  

·         That the data for the breakdown in adoption be circulated to the Committee.

·         That information on the new housing benefit arrangements for 19-21 year old care leavers be circulated to the Committee.

·         That G Heyes write to the CCG’s expressing the Committee’s concern on the number of initial health assessments being completed within 20 days.  

To receive a report of the Director of Education and 14-19 Skills – to follow

Consideration was given to the Annual Education Report 2015/16, which provided an update on the improvements and successes achieved over the last 12 months across the Education Service and also provided the school performance data.

It was agreed that a report on alignment of school support would be brought to a future meeting of the Committee, and the data for admissions to the UTC in Crewe be circulated to the Committee in due course.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Annual Education Report 2015/16 be received.

2.    That a report on the alignment of school support be brought to a future meeting of the Committee.

3.    That the data for admissions to the UTC be circulated to the Committee.

To give consideration to the areas of the forward plan which fall within the remit of the Committee.

Consideration was given to the Forward Plan

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be received.

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme.

RESOLVED

That the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Annual Report be added to the work programme.