Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Edwardes, Councillor Macfarlane and Councillor Smith. Councillor Nicholas, Councillor Moran and Councillor Critchley attended as substitutes.

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 approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 March 2022.

A query was raised regarding a written response on the annual cost of spot purchasing for care at home services which had been provided following the previous meeting. It was agreed that a further response would be provided to clarify the figure of actual annual spend.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2022 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.

Lisa Hodgkinson, Head Teacher of Springfield School, and Gemma Bailey, Head Teacher of Oakfield Lodge School attended the meeting and spoke at item 7 and item 8 respectively.

To receive an update on the Ukrainian refugee position in Cheshire East.

The committee received a verbal update on the Ukrainian refugee position in Cheshire East including the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

It was agreed that a written response would be provided regarding the impact of the scheme on school places.

A suggestion was made for officers to look into whether current hosts for the Homes for Ukraine scheme could be approached at a later date as potential foster carers.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the Covid-19 situation in schools.

There had been a significant fall in reported case figures which reflected the current position of testing no longer being a requirement. Nationally, all statutory guidance for schools had been removed. From June, the additional Covid support from the Council would also be removed. Schools maintained their mechanism for reporting any critical incidents to the Council and enhanced guidance had been issued. The Education Recovery Group continued to meet every two weeks and were looking ahead to managing attendance, wellbeing, the curriculum, SEND and behaviour. The vaccination programme in children was progressing well.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To seek approval for the proposed expansion scheme to increase capacity at Springfield School, Crewe.

Lisa Hodgkinson, Head Teacher of Springfield School, attended the meeting to speak in support of the proposed expansion.

The committee received the report which sought approval for the proposed expansion scheme to increase capacity at Springfield School. This was in line with the strategy to increase local specialist provisions as set out in the high needs management plan.

A query was raised regarding the Children and Families Committee having sight of the planning permission. It was noted that planning applications were not within the remit of the committee but that Members would be able to attend the Planning Committee and speak on this application if they wished. It was agreed that the committee would be notified when this application had been published in the public domain.

A written response was requested from Planning colleagues on current delays and any risks this may pose to this expansion.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1.    Approve the proposed expansion of Springfield School from 170 to 250 places for implementation in September 2023 having given due consideration to the responses to the statutory public notice and consultation process without modification.

2.    Provide authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to procure and award a construction contract for the provision of additional places at Springfield School (Crewe), inclusive of any other agreements associated with or ancillary to the contract.

To consider the intended academy conversion of Oakfield Lodge School.

Gemma Bailey, Head Teacher of Oakfield Lodge School, attended to speak in support of this item.

The committee received the report which set out the arrangements in place to support the intended academy conversion of Oakfield Lodge School to become part of the Manor Hall Academy Trust.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1.    Supports that Oakfield Lodge School, Warmingham Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 4PP will convert to academy status on or after 1 September 2022 as per the Department for Education (DfE) Academy Order dated 16 September 2021 (see appendix 2).

2.    Supports that Oakfield Lodge School joins the Manor Hall Academy Trust which currently consists of 12 schools.

3.    Authorises the completion of a Commercial Transfer Agreement to the Manor Hall Academy Trust and the management committee of Oakfield Lodge School relating to the transfer of all staff under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, and assets to the trust.

4.    Authorises the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with Chief Finance Officer and Monitoring Officer to take all steps necessary to agree and execute the Commercial Transfer Agreement.

5.    Authorises the grant and completion of all transactions in relation to land as are necessary in order to facilitate the conversion, including (but not limited to) the grant and completion of a lease to the Manor Hall Academy Trust for 125 years substantially in the form of the model lease produced by DfE at a peppercorn rent.

6.    Authorises the Executive Director of Place and Director of Finance and Customer Services to take the steps necessary to agree the required transactions in relation to land to enable the transfer, in line with the agreed heads of terms.

7.    Notes that the Chief Finance Officer has authority to take all steps necessary to agree, transfer and adjust relevant budgets and allocate balances in accordance with Department for Education Guidance.

The meeting adjourned for a short break at 15.50.

Councillor Addison left the meeting at this point and did not return.

To receive an update on the forward plan for academisation.

The committee received the report which set out those schools across the borough who were seeking to move to academy status and join a multi-academy trust. The forward plan indicated where committee approval is required or where it will be progressed through delegated authority.

A query was raised regarding the Best4Business programme and issues for academy conversions. The committee were advised that general queries should be directed to the Corporate Policy Committee who had oversight of this programme but assurances were given that work was ongoing with payroll to ensure they were aware of future conversions to mitigate any issues with the transfer of staff.

A further query was raised in relation to the Best4Business programme in schools and questions that a Member had received recently regarding the transfer of contracts for long serving staff. It had been reported that there was an issue with locating original, paper contracts from when schools were part of the Cheshire East HR system. It was agreed that this would be looked into and a written response would be provided.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To receive information about the offer from the DfE to join the delivering best value (DBV) programme.

The committee received the report which provided an overview of the Department for Education Delivering Better Value programme for which Cheshire East had received an invitation.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To receive the specification for the transport review in relation to transport support for children and young people.

The committee received the report which outlined the independent review being carried out to consider travel support for children and young people.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To receive the alignment of the 2022-23 budgets for Children and Families and to note or approve virements and supplementary estimates as required.

The committee received the report which determined the allocation of the approved budgets for 2022/23 to the Children and Families Committee.

A concern was raised that some schools appeared to be accessing the Educational Psychologist traded service while others were not and that the message needed to be publicised consistently. It was agreed that a written response would be provided.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1.    Note the decision of the Finance Sub-Committee to allocate the approved capital and revenue budgets, related policy proposals and earmarked reserves to the Children and Families Committee, as set out in Appendix A.

2.    Note the supplementary estimates already approved as set out in Appendix B, Tables A and B.

3.    Approve the supplementary estimates set out in Appendix B, Table C and Table D.

4.    Recommend to Council to approve the supplementary estimates set out in Appendix B, Table E.

5.    Note the financial reporting timetable as set out in Appendix C.

To provide Children & Families Committee with an overview of the commissioning cycle, current and future commissioning activity across Children's Services.

The committee received the report which provided an overview of the principles, approach and reach of Children’s Commissioning activity.

A query was raised regarding the funding for Crewe nurseries, outlined on page 126 of the agenda, and what this funding provides in addition to standard early years funding and pupil premium, as well as the impact on these specific communities. It was agreed that a written response would be provided.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

To receive an update on progress against the recommendations from the Ofsted ILACS inspections.

Councillor Nicholas left the meeting during this item and did not return.

The committee received the report which provided an update on progress on the recommendations from the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) in November 2019.

A request was made for the red, amber and green ratings against the progress updates to include further detail on how closely the targets are being met. It was agreed that the Director of Children’s Social Care would look at strengthening this for future reports.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To appoint members to the Corporate Parenting Committee, the Local Authority School Governor Nominations Sub-committee and to nominate a member to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The committee received the report which sought approval to appoint members to the Corporate Parenting Committee, the Local Authority School Governor Nominations Sub-committee and to nominate a member to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Appoints members to the Corporate Parenting Committee as follows: Con:4; Lab:4; Ind:3; Lib Dem:1; R. Ind:0; NGI:0

2. Appoints the Local Authority School Governor Appointments Sub-Committee with a membership of 5; the proportionalities being as follows: Con:2;

Lab:2; Ind:1; Lib Dem:0; R. Ind:0; NGI:0

3. Nominates one member to the Cheshire East Health and Wellbeing Board

4. Agrees that the names of Members appointed to them be submitted to the Head of Democratic Services and Governance.

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

Councillor Buckley and Councillor Handley left the meeting during this item and did not return.

It was agreed that officers would give consideration to the September meeting, as this appeared to be a particularly busy agenda, and that this may involve extending the length of the meeting slightly.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be noted.

To note the minutes of the Local Authority School Governor Nomination Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 November 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Local Authority School Governor Nomination Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 November 2021 be noted.