Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Burkhill and J Nicholas.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2018

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2018.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting 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 give consideration to the impact progress report

Consideration was given to a report and presentation on the neglect strategy. The presentation detailed the current campaign aimed at raising awareness of neglect. The Local Children’s Safeguarding Board revised its neglect strategy in 2017 to better address the impact of neglect and launched a campaign called ‘user busy’. The report provided a summary of the impact of the strategy and identified  areas of focus and improvement.

The Committee was pleased to hear that the campaign had been shortlisted  for the Local Government Chronicle 2018 and Municipal Journal Awards 2018.

It was agreed that the Council and partners needed to identify families earlier and tackle the causes of neglect to avoid escalation. The campaign marketing materials such as posters, needed to be placed in locations where children frequented such as shops, bus stops and schools. It was also agreed that Councillors could help to distribute materials and that social media should also be used.

RESOLVED

That officers ensure that the marketing material is placed in suitable locations to ensure it reached as many children as possible and that Councillors be requested to help with the distribution.

To receive an update on progress in implementing the Signs of Safety model in Cheshire East

The Committee received an update including a one minute guide on signs of safety, a widely recognised leading approach to child protection casework. Cheshire East would be adopting the approach within early help and prevention services and children’s social care to achieve:

·         better outcomes for children, young people and families

·         child focused services

·         practice that was respectful and inclusive

·         empowered professionals.

It was agreed that the Committee would complete the signs of safety e learning module.

RESOLVED

That the Committee complete the signs of safety e learning module.

To receive an oral update on the Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy (SMoTS).

Consideration was given to a presentation on the outcomes of the consultation of the draft  SMOTS Strategy as part of the wider suite of home to school travel policies. The Council must maintain a SMOTS strategy under the Education and Inspection Regulations. In summary;

·         the consultation period ran from 15 February to 29 March 2018

·         the target audience was schools, school managers, parents, transport providers and residents

·         publicised through direct mailing, online, school bulletin, press and social media releases

·         289 responses had been received, more than half were supportive of the draft strategy.

·         Cheshire East Council would be funding the Modeshift STARS online system to help schools produce a School Travel Plan and sustainable travel activities.

·         A Safer Routes to School programme would be introduced, with available funding in FY18/19 to enable schools to submit requests to fund walking and cycling infrastructure measures.

·         The strategy would be considered by Cabinet in July 2019.

The Committee noted that Local Highways Groups could receive joint funding from the Safer Routes to Schools Programme for school relate projects. It was agreed that the Committee would receive a progress report in due course.

RESOLVED

That a progress report be considered by the Committee in due course.

To receive an oral update of the Director of Children's Prevention & Support

The Director of Children's Prevention & Support provided an update on the recent SEND Ofsted Inspection following the introduction of new legislation in 2014. The inspection included, a webinar, presentations, focus groups and visits. The inspectors recognised that the Council knew its strengths and weaknesses and recognised the pace of change. The SEND toolkit was commended, however there was still work to do as parents were not yet seeing the benefits. It was noted that a strategy was being developed in relation to diagnosing autism.

An improvement plan was underway, which, along with the SEND Task and Finish Group final report would be brought to Committee on 16 July 2018.

The director and her team were thanked for all their hard work.

RESOLVED

That the improvement plan and SEND Task and Finish Group final report be considered by the Committee on 16 July 2018.

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

Consideration was given to the areas of the forward plan which fell within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be received

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. It was reported that St Johns Wood Academy had gone into special measures and the Council was working closely with the School. It was agreed that an update would be brought back to the Committee in due course.

RESOLVED

That an update report on St Johns Wood Academy and Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy be considered by the Committee in due course.