Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

The Chair referred to the recent sad death of Councillor Stephen Carter. There was a minute’s silent reflection in tribute.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Addison, Cllr Gregory, Cllr Hayes and Cllr Smith. Cllr Clowes, Cllr Parkinson and Cllr Rhodes attended as substitutes.

Cheshire Police had been invited to attend the meeting for the Joint Targeted Area Inspection report but had sent apologies.

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 14 November 2022.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2022 be agreed 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.

There were no public speakers.

To receive an update on the partnership progress against the action plan from the JTAI inspection.

The committee received the report which provided an update on the partnership progress against the action plan from the joint targeted area inspection (JTAI) of the multi-agency response to the criminal exploitation of children in Cheshire East.

A query was raised as to concerns young people may have about confidentiality when they access NHS services, particularly around whether their parents or carers may be informed. The committee were advised that the NHS has strong rules around confidentiality and follows Gillick competency guidelines but that the partnership would take this away to consider whether it is being communicated clearly to young people, for example through schools.

A further query was raised as to whether more education is needed, both for school pupils and the public, on recognising and understanding signs of exploitation. It was noted that the inspection had found the Safeguarding Children in Education team was particularly strong from a single agency perspective but that the improvement would come from a multi-agency approach and this would be the next step. Officers welcomed the feedback from committee and would take this away for further consideration.

A concern was raised about settings for excluded pupils and the impact this may have. Assurances were given that the majority of excluded pupils were supported through Oakfield Lodge or the Cornerstone Academy which had excellent facilities but that the Director of Education would be keen to hear if there were some exceptions and would pick this up following the meeting.

The Chair passed on the committee’s thanks for this work.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That:

1.    The Children and Families Committee consider the Action Plan appended (appendix 1) to this report and scrutinise the progress to date against the JTAI recommendations.

2.    The committee agree to receive six-monthly reports on progress against this action plan.

To receive and respond to the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023-27. (Paper to follow)

The committee received the report which aimed to capture committee members’ feedback as consultees on the development of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2023 – 27 in relation to the responsibilities of the committee.

The following comments were put forward:

• Cllr Anderson queried the increase in cost of transport and requested a breakdown of where the additional costs are coming from. The Director of Education responded that the majority of the cost is the increase of children eligible for transport as well as the increase of cost due to procurement. A report brought to committee previously had set out in detail the strategy to review the programme but it was likely to be the next contract year when the benefit of that would be seen. The committee were advised that a small amount of that money would fund the additional capacity needed to deliver the change and that providing school transport for eligible children was a statutory requirement. The data requested would be extracted from the previous report and re-circulated to committee.

• Cllr Parkinson, who was present as a substitute, asked for clarity on the amount received from government grants in Children’s Services and where these funds had been distributed. The Director of Strong Start, Family Help and Integration responded that there was regular reporting to committee on funding received from grants and that a full breakdown of this could be shared following the meeting.

• Cllr Beanland raised a query regarding what the resettlement fund is and whether there was any money left from that fund. The committee were advised that Cheshire East had received this funding for families coming to Cheshire East and that it applied to any services where cost was incurred, for example for transport or additional staffing costs. There was an ongoing piece of work to assign the income to services.

• Cllr Beanland raised a query regarding the £45.6m deficit on the DSG reserve and how it was being managed. The committee were advised that this was being managed by statutory override and that a piece of work was ongoing. The Chair highlighted that high needs did not sit within the MTFS but was part of a high needs management strategy and an update on this would be coming to committee for debate.

• Cllr Beanland raised a query regarding appendix 1 which referred to any betterment to the forecast outturn position being utilised to replenish reserves in line with the priorities of the Corporate Plan, and asked whether there was a figure available for the reserves. The committee were advised that it was necessary to wait for the year end to understand the position on this.

• Cllr Beanland raised a query relating to the £76m referred to in appendix 2 with regard to the DSG budget, specifically what the breakdown of this was and what control there was for how this was to be spent. The committee were advised that a breakdown of this would be brought to the February committee meeting and any outstanding questions could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

To receive a report on the funding review for the new Springfield School satellite site at Dean Row, Handforth.

The committee received the report which provided information regarding the need for the council to increase the funding envelope for the new Springfield Special School satellite site at Dean Row in Handforth following detailed assessment of the required works from £3m to £6.1m.

The committee recognised and supported the need to increase provision, however concerns were raised about the increase in costs and the time delay. The Chair highlighted that, despite the increase, the savings that would be made on placements was still expected to be greater than the cost. Officers gave assurances that a review had taken place with a report produced on lessons learned and it was requested that this be shared with the committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Families Committee:

1.    Note the requirement to increase the cost of the build for the delivery of additional SEN places at Springfield School, Dean Row, Handforth to £6.1 m.

2.    Note that the Executive Director of Children’s Services has completed the necessary documentation for the virement of this additional funding for this scheme and the awarding of the contract to build.

The committee adjourned for a short break.

To receive a report on the applications for new SEN free schools.

The committee received the report on the submitted application to expand the  number of in borough special educational needs free schools through engagement with the Department for Education programme.

There was a requirement at this stage to give confirmation to the Department for Education that costs would be covered in order for the application to progress. However, assurances were given to committee that if the costs became excessive or onerous a further report would be brought back for debate and the option to withdraw.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1.    Note the submission of two applications for SEN Free Schools. If successful, these new resources would provide a key mitigation within the SEN High needs management plan.

2.    Agree to provide indemnity if one or both schemes are successful. Indemnity would need to be provided relating to any ‘abnormal site development’ costs. Such a task is part of any new school development site and the initial analysis of the two site is that there are low levels of risk.

3.    Note that if successful, these schools would progress through the free school presumption route and appropriate reports would be provided to committee as projects progress to seek relevant delegated approvals.

To consider the report on the proposed reduction in SEN resource provision at Middlewich Primary School and Lindow Community Primary School.

The committee received the report which sought approval for the proposed reduction in special educational needs resource provision places for learners with a hearing impairment at Middlewich Primary School from 10 to 5 places and at Lindow Community Primary School from 12 to 6 places.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee give approval:

1.    To reduce the number of specialist SEN places in the hearing impairment resource provision at Middlewich Primary School from 10 to 5 with effect from April 2023, having given due consideration to the responses to the statutory public notice and consultation process as per DfE statutory guidance.

2.    To reduce the number of places in the hearing impairment resource provision at Lindow Community Primary School from 12 to 6 with effect from April 2023, having given due consideration to the responses to the statutory public notice and consultation process as per DfE statutory guidance.

To consider a report seeking authority to award a construction contract for the expansion of the Dingle Primary School.

The committee received the report which sought authority to progress the proposed expansion of the Dingle Primary School into the final stages of design and construction.

It was noted that the latest cost estimate was from July 2022 and there was a query as to whether this will have changed. A further query was raised as to whether the £1m outlined in section 8.2.3 was additional to the latest cost estimate of £1.217m or in lieu of Section 106 contributions. Officers undertook to provide a written response to address these queries, confirming the current cost estimate and a breakdown.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Children and Families Committee delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to procure and award a construction contract for the expansion of The Dingle primary school to 2FE, inclusive of preconstruction services and any other agreements associated with or ancillary to the contract.

To receive a report on the proposed change in age range at two schools.

The committee received the report on the proposed change in age range at Pebble Brook Primary School and Underwood West Academy.  

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1.    Consider the consultation responses received to the change of age range at Pebble Brook Primary School.

2.    Approve the proposed change of age range at Pebble Brook Primary School, Crewe, from 4 -11 to 2-11 to accommodate a nursery provision for implementation in February or March 2023 as a temporary change for a period of up to two years.

3.    Note that the Regional Director for Education will move to extend the age range of Underwood West Academy, Crewe.

To receive the Children and Families scorecard for quarter 2 of 2022-23.

The committee received the report which provided an overview of performance against the core indicator set within the three directorate areas of Children’s Services.

A query was raised as to the percentage of EHCPs issued within timescales as, while the figure was coming down from previous reports, it still appeared to be high. It was noted that timeliness had improved but that the figures were still impacted by a number of factors, including cases which had gone to tribunals. A suggestion was made for the scorecard to include an additional line to show the percentage of new plans completed on time to give a clearer indication of how the service was working.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To note the status of academy conversions across Cheshire East schools.

The committee received the report which informed of planned schools across the borough which were seeking to move to academy status and join a multi academy trust.

RESOLVED:

That the committee receives and notes the summary table (Appendix 1) showing the status of academy conversions across Cheshire East schools.

To consider the work programme and determine any required amendments.

The committee considered the work programme. It was noted that the March meeting would be the last meeting before the May elections and a request was made for an update on the Delivering Better Value programme. A further request was made for the committee to receive the lessons learned report and action plan relating to Springfield School, with a further update in May.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be noted.