Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Puddicombe, G Smith, M Beanland and G Hayes. Councillors D Clark, H Seddon, S Gardiner and R Chadwick were present as substitutes.

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

There were no declarations of interest from Members.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 February 2026.

RESOLVED:

It was noted that Kate Flounders’ job title should be amended to “Principal Lawyer (Children’s).

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 February 2026 be approved as a correct record.

In accordance with paragraph 2.24 of the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, set out in the Constitution, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.

Petitions - To receive any petitions which have met the criteria - Petitions Scheme Criteria, and falls within the remit of the Committee. Petition organisers will be allowed up to three minutes to speak.

There were no registered public speakers.

To consider the amendment to recommendation 4 of the ‘Renewing the Sufficiency Strategy and Expanding Specialist Provision in Cheshire East – Options Paper’ report that was approved at the Children and Families Committee meeting on 19 January 2026.

The committee considered a report on the amendment to recommendation 4 of the ‘Renewing the Sufficiency Strategy and Expanding Specialist Provision in Cheshire East – Options Paper’ report that was approved at the Children and Families Committee meeting on 19 January 2026.

Councillor Ken Edwards attended the meeting as a Visiting Member and spoke on this item. Councillor Edwards stated that it was vital that Cheshire East Council were confident that there was an organisation in Cheshire East which would be able to take on the responsibility of the school site. Councillor Edwards requested that delay in the process should be avoided at all costs and hoped that a partnership model could be developed based on the existing experience within Cheshire East.

Members were updated that the Council had been engaged in further conversations with the Department for Education and were now able to open up the potential school site to all providers. It was noted that to date, no proposals had been submitted and nothing had gone out to tender, and the Council had sought advice that the methodology was legally compliant, so the change in proposal would not open the Council up to a judicial review.

It was noted that regardless of the provider, the opening date of the school would be September 2028. It was noted that engaging with an existing provider would bring the benefits of better workforce planning, staff recruitment, existing links with the local education and parent community, and that existing schools within Cheshire East already have “Good” Ofsted ratings.

It was noted that the additional capacity within Cheshire East may provide an opportunity for children to move school to one which was better suited to them, and closer to their home.

RESOLVED (by Majority):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Approve the amendment to recommendation 4 that was approved at the Children and Families Committee meeting held on 19 January 2026: -

i) To pursue expressions of interest from existing state funded SEN schools in Cheshire East to open a satellite at Westfields site, which will be an expansion of their existing school.

2. Agree that if no suitable proposal is submitted, Committee approve that the service continues with the original approval as agreed at the Children and Families Committee meeting held on 19 January 2026, agenda item 7, resolution 4, as follows:

ii) To progress with undertaking the free school presumption process to identify and obtain agreement for a new school sponsor under section 6A of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. This will include undertaking a consultation with the local community, schools, councillors, town council and local MP. This is not the formal statutory consultation which sponsors are required to undertake.

3. Agree that all expressions of interest submitted will be fully assessed to ensure they meet the necessary criteria for a satellite school and a further report with recommendations will be brought back to Cabinet for approval, prior to initiating the statutory consultation.

To consider a report on the Children and Families Capital Programme - School Condition Programme 2026/27.

The committee considered a report on the Children and Families Capital Programme - School Condition Programme 2026/27.

Members were updated that Cheshire East Council’s Facilities Management Team worked along side partner organisation EQANS to carry out works to schools and checked that value for money was being delivered. It was noted that as part of the plan, a £250,000 fire alarm was to being installed in a school – this was noted as a large sum of money, but it was essential for the safety of students and teachers in a large high school.

It was noted that the 20% figure detailed in the recommendation was a standard amount and avoided the need for each decision on repairs to be approved by committee; however, for any larger sums of money, the decision would be referred to committee. Members were updated that S106 contributions could not be used for improving the condition of schools.

It was noted that lessons had been learned from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme where Air Source Heat Pumps had been installed in some schools as “back-up” heating sources.

It was noted that the Facilities Management Team had carried out an assessment of the Council’s Civic buildings as to whether they could utilise solar panels, but this had not yet been carried out at any of the maintained schools which Cheshire East Council was responsible for.

Members requested further details on the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme lessons learned. Officers committed to provider a written response.

RESOLVED (by Majority):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Approve the School Condition Programme of schemes as detailed in Appendix 1.

2. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to approve uplifts to Project Costs of schemes approved in the School Condition Programme (and the updates received during the financial year) to a maximum of 20% of the approved capital budget. This will ensure that schemes can be progressed in a timely manner and to provide updates to committee as required.

3. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to determine the school sites and works to be instructed from the block funding allocation set out in Appendix 1 and take all steps to deliver these works.

4. Note the overview of Children and Families Capital Programme which includes current schemes in progress and those completed during 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 2.

Councillor Emma Gillman left the meeting at the commencement of Item 7 and did not return.

To present the findings and recommendations of the Home to School Transport Task & Finish Group.

The committee received a report on the findings and recommendations of the Home to School Transport Task & Finish Group.

Members were updated that work on the Home to School Transport had been taking place since 2022. It was noted that if a child could not safely be placed on public transport to get to school, then a taxi was the alternative provision – the taxi services, although the Council was working with families to find the best route and alternative travel arrangements. The Council was developing Personal Travel Budgets to give to families for them to utilise to get their child to school the best was possible – this process was audited and monitored and was being used by about 17% of families.  

It was noted that despite predicting a saving in the area, there has been an overspend. It was noted that there had been a discrepancy in the FR3 and FR4 finance reports which had been presented to committee. This was due to an error with the system which generated payments and invoices which has been rectified. The Council had employed consultants to assist with cost avoidance measures and route optimisation, which had meant that the overspend was not as large as it otherwise would have been. Key Performance Indicators were being worked on.

It was noted that the service was demand driven, which often lead to high costs. Members were updated that the Council has a statutory obligation to transport children to school and were doing what was possible to ensure value for money. It was noted that there were large differences in the average cost to transport a child to school in a rural and urban areas.

Members were updated that the Council utilises a “reverse auction” dynamic purchasing system where a panel of suppliers bid downwards in order to be awarded transport contracts which receives consistent bids from suppliers and allows the Council to manage costs more effectively. Members were updated that at the present time there was no active programme for School Streets in Cheshire East’s Highways programme.

It was noted that the Council has access to a lot of information from neighbouring Local Authorities, and there was a nation data set which provides details and the Council reviews this on a monthly basis.

It was noted that the recommendations of the report called for regulatory changes to the taxi licensing policy.

Members requested further information on cost avoidance and the Dedicated Schools Grant. Officers committed to provider a written response.

Members requested further information on the average per mile cost of transporting children. Officers committed to provider a written response.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Note the Final Report of the Home to School Transport Task and Finish Group and acknowledge its findings, evidence base and conclusions.

2. Approve the implementation of a system?wide review to embed the Total Cost of Placement (TCOP) approach across all relevant directorates, ensuring transport implications are fully considered in decisions relating to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To consider a report regarding the Edge of Care Offer for Children and Young People in Cheshire East.

The committee considered a report regarding the Edge of Care Offer for Children and Young People in Cheshire East.

Members were updated that to date, despite extensive efforts, Cheshire East Council did not have a dedicated, timely and effective Edge of Care offer, which would offer families stability. The Council wished to pilot an approach which would offer Functional Family Therapy for families of children aged 0 – 9 and multisystemic therapy for families of children aged 10 to 17, who were on the verge of going in to care, to keep them at home, and to keep them safe.

It was noted that for the first year, the financial benefit would be cost avoidance, but beyond that, if the pilot were to continue, there would be a return on the investment.

It was noted that the funding for the pilot would come from the Children’s Improvement and Transformation Fund and officers were confident that the one year investment would pay itself back by showing success and through cost avoidance, with reviews at the three and six month points. It was noted that a further business case would be developed to continue the pilot, if it showed success, to request further investment for the remainder of the MTFS.

Members were updated that Cheshire East Council would recruit officers, either internally or externally, who would be provided with training from national providers to provide the therapy.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Approve the Edge of Care approach for children and families in Cheshire East, including the procurement of MST for over 10s and FFT for under 10s.

2. Approve 1 year of investment of £532,822 from the Children's Improvement fund to progress a Year 1 pilot.

3. Note the proposed governance and oversight to ensure delivery and sustainability.

To consider a report on the Families First Partnership Programme Implementation.

The committee received a report on the Families First Partnership Programme Implementation.

Members were updated that restorative practice was a way of working with families as opposed.

Members were updated that officers were working as quickly as possible and working closely with the Department for Education who had a requirement from for Council’s to be ready to start the implementation from April 2026, and Cheshire East Council was ready for this. It was noted that the Department for Education had now provided updated guidance which built on this and required Councils to be ready and fully implemented by March 2027.

It was noted that existing cases would be steadily phased into the new system and that the Department for Education had brought together a number of grant streams which together would support the implementation and all parts of the programme were fully funded.

It was noted that Cheshire East Council would be doing quarterly returns to the Department for Education.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Note the progress in delivering the Families First Partnership Programme, in line with the requirements of the national reforms.

To consider the response to a Notice of Motion regarding the National Year of Reading.

The committee considered a report on the response to a Notice of Motion regarding the National Year of Reading.

Members were updated that Cheshire East Council promotes that families encourage children to read as early as possible, and to make use of free local libraries. It was noted that the National Year of Reading was being promoted via the Family Hubs, Weekly School Bulletin, and a communications plan would be put together to further promote it.

Members were updated that Cheshire East Council were working alongside the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner regarding their proposals for developing a Country wide programme to reduce mobile phone use in secondary schools and to achieve Country wide coverage by September 2026. Two secondary schools in Cheshire East were currently acting on this, and all but two to date had shown an interest in supporting the ambition. It was noted that there was a significant negative consequence of screen time on children’s reading ability.

Members were also updated that Cheshire East Council are in discussions with Generation Focus, with a mission for every school to be smartphone free.

Members were updated that schools and education providers were adept at working alongside families and children whose first language wasn’t English.

Members noted that all Cheshire East Members should be encouraged to sign up to the online pledge. 

A friendly amendment to the recommendations was proposed by Councillor L Crane and accepted by the committee:

To Approve both Points 3 and 4, and to amend Point 3 to read:

Welcomes and supports the National Year of Reading and its campaign objectives and commits to working with our partners including local libraries, schools, community groups, literacy organisations, and businesses to promote reading across our communities facilitated by a Member Task and Finish Group reporting back to the appropriate Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

Note that:

1. Point 1: Notes that the Government has designated 2026 as the National Year of Reading, supported by national partners and charities to encourage reading for pleasure.

2. Point 2: Recognises the benefits of reading for educational attainment, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Approve that:

3. Point 3: Welcomes and supports the National Year of Reading and its campaign objectives and commits to working with our partners including local libraries, schools, community groups, literacy organisations, and businesses to promote reading across our communities facilitated by a Member Task and Finish Group reporting back to the appropriate Cabinet Member.

4. Point 4: Requests that the Leader, on behalf of the Council, completes the online Pledge stating actions the Council

To consider the Improvement Plan Progress Report.

The committee received a report on the Improvement Plan Progress.

Members were updated that the targets in the plan were set by the Council’s previous leadership, but these were largely in keeping with statutory targets. Members were updated that although a challenge, the targets were not set too high as they encouraged the Council to look for alternative solutions and for answers elsewhere.

Members were updated that officers would consider “good” to be when inconsistency was no longer the case and reports RAG tables reflected stability. It was noted that workforce was a major issue and staff turnover and vacancy rates were high which currently made it difficult to sustain improvements, but the Council had developed a detailed workforce strategy and understood the importance of creating the right environment for people to do well in their job.

It was noted that Cheshire East Council did enforce that social workers stayed employed by the authority after they had been trained and didn’t offer a retention incentive like some other local authorities did. It was noted that Cheshire East Council completes a National Social Work which allows the Council to compare staff survey results nationally.

Members requested further information on the number of students who complete placements with Cheshire East and then choose to stay when qualified. Officers committed to providing a written response to this.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Note the progress against the improvement plan.

2. Note the findings from the councillor visits to the Family Help Service (North Teams), Safeguarding Children in Educational Settings (SCIES) Team, the Front Door and the Domestic Abuse Team.

To note the minutes of the Cared for Children and Care Leavers Committee meeting held on 3 March 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Cared for Children and Care Leavers Committee meeting held on 3 March 2026 be received and noted.