To confirm the record of the meeting of the People (Children) Scrutiny Panel held on 07 September 2017 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel held on 07 September 2017, copies of which had been previously circulated, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this Agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

      i.        Mr Menzies declared a personal interest in that he was a governor at Harrington School.

    ii.        Mrs Stephenson declared a personal interest in that she was a teacher at a Leighfield Primary School, and had two children that attended a Rutland school.

   iii.        Mr Begy declared a personal interest as his son attended a Rutland school.

   iv.        Mr Callaghan declared a personal interest in that he was a governor at Casterton College, and had children at Rutland schools.

To receive any petitions, deputations and questions received from Members of the Public in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 217.

The total time allowed for this item shall be 30 minutes.  Petitions, declarations and questions shall be dealt with in the order in which they are received.  Questions may also be submitted at short notice by giving a written copy to the Committee Administrator 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.

The total time allowed for questions at short notice is 15 minutes out of the total time of 30 minutes.  Any petitions, deputations and questions that have been submitted with prior formal notice will take precedence over questions submitted at short notice.  Any questions that are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting and be the subject of a report to the next meeting.

No petitions, deputations or questions had been received from members of the public.

To consider any questions with notice from Members received in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rules No 219 and No. 219A.

No questions with notice had been received from Members.

To consider any Notices of Motion from Members submitted in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule No 220.

No notices of motion had been received from Members.

To consider any matter referred to the Panel for a decision in relation to call in of a decision in accordance with Procedure Rule 206.

No matter was referred to the Panel in relation to the call-in of a decision in accordance with Procedure Rule 206.

To receive Report No. 193/2017 from the Chief Executive.

(Report circulated under separate cover)

Report No. 193/2017 was received from the Chief Executive.

The purpose of the report was to provide Cabinet with strategic oversight of the Council’s performance for the second quarter of 2017/18 in delivering our Corporate Plan Aims and Objectives.

The report was taken without debate.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the report.

To receive Report No. 191/2017 from the Director for Resources.

(Report circulated under separate cover)

Report No. 191/2017 was received from the Director for Resources.

The purpose of the report was to inform Cabinet and all Members of the full year forecast position as at Quarter 2 for 2017/18 and to alert them to issues that may impact on the Medium Term Financial Plan to enable them to maintain sound financial management of the Council’s operations.

The report was taken without debate.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the report.

To receive Report No. 213/2017 from the Director for Resources.

(Report circulated under separate cover)

• The above report is due to be presented at Cabinet on 19 December 2017.  

• Scrutiny has requested this report so that it can review and comment on proposals before the Cabinet meeting so as to inform the decision-making process.

• Scrutiny is asked to consider the report and provide feedback to the Portfolio Holder and Director.

Report No. 213/2017 was received from the Director for Resources.

The purpose of the report was to set out proposals for fees and charges for services provided by the Council, for the financial year 2018/19.

The report was taken without debate.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the report.

To receive Report No. 205/2017 from the Director for People.

Report No. 205/2017 was received from the Director for People.

During the discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        The social care area had organised a mock Ofsted inspection to challenge their service, and would go through the process to make sure the team continued working to a high standard. This would take place in the first week of December 2017.

    ii.        Representatives from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) were coming to Rutland County Council (RCC) in January to ask questions and offer challenge to the Children’s Services for half a day. Representatives from RCC would then go to LCC and NCC to do the same.

   iii.        There was concern that the storyboards were not easy to read due to the formatting in particular the green background, and landscape page layout.

   iv.        Staff turn-over was now more stable, with up to 85% of the team being permanent members of staff.

    v.        The staff were a lot more positive since changes to the service had been made, and permanent managers put in place.

To receive Report No. 204/2017 from the Director for People.

Report No. 203/2017 was received from the Director for People.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        There had been positive feedback from all schools that were asked.

    ii.        It was noted that although Leighfield Primary was an academy from 2013, this was not formally constituted until January/February 2017.

   iii.        Multi-Academy Trusts were bringing schools together so they could share resources, and provide cost efficiency as well as greater stability.

   iv.        Progress 8, which was a new measure of the progress students made between the end of Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 based on performance in eight qualifications, made a difference to the identification of children who were under-performing. There was an equivalent programme for Primary Schools for between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

    v.        The Chair asked if there would be any impact on teachers regarding the funding crisis. Ms Curtis responded that this would be looked at in the Schools Forum.

   vi.        The Chair mentioned that in regards to post 16 education, a lot of students had gone out of Rutland for the education. Ms Curtis reported that if the St George’s Barracks was built on and business took residence there, there would be more opportunity for apprenticeships and vocational routes.

To receive Report No. 203/2017 from the Director for People.

Report No. 203/2017 was received from the Director for People.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        Mrs Stephenson commented that a graphic on the Local Offer to Care Leavers’ poster was covering text including a phone number, which made it difficult to read.

To receive Report No. 190/2017 from the Director for People.

Report No. 190/2017 was received from the Director for People.

It was noted that dates and timelines were note included with the recommendations in the report. Mr Andrews reported that many of the recommendations had already been completed, as many would have been shown on the Ofsted Improvement Plan, which included dates and timelines for the recommendations to be completed.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the report.

To receive Report No. 207/2017 from the Director for People.

Report No. 207/2017 was received from the Director for People.

The report was taken without debate.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the report.

To receive Report No. 208/2017 from the Director for People.

Report No. 208/2017 was received from the Director for People.

The report was taken without debate.

AGREED

That the Panel NOTED the report.

To consider Scrutiny issues to review.

Copies of the Forward Plan will be available at the meeting.

      i.        The Chair noted he had had a conversation with Ms Curtis regarding looking at children’s health and active lifestyle and how Rutland deals with it. A report would be written for next year.

    ii.        Mr Oxley questioned whether the Panel should take a look at the Sexual Health Service Re-Procurement report as well as the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel. Mr Andrews pointed out that the health scrutiny function of this panel covered all age groups and not just adults. Mrs Stephenson highlighted that all were welcome to attend the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel if they wished to take part in debate.

To receive any other items of urgent business which have been previously notified to the person presiding

      i.        The Chair mentioned that Mrs Stephenson and he were looking to setup a joint mental health task and finish group that would look into issues within Rutland. The Chair asked members wishing to take part in the group to let him know by email. The first meeting would take place on 11^th December to decide on the Terms of Reference.

    ii.        At the last Panel meeting, Mr Callaghan raised the need to keep a focus on schools regarding absences; that the Council had a duty to ensure that schools were adhering to the policy of no absences. Mr Bool mentioned that while the Council could ask for details regarding absences, the majority of schools in Rutland were academies and therefore did not need to supply the information. Mr Wilby noted he would speak with Ms Curtis as to whether it would be possible to get an informal indication, and would try to get back to the Panel next year.

Scrutiny Budget Meeting:

Wednesday 24 January 2018 at 7pm (TBC)

Thursday 25 January 2018 at 7pm (TBC)

Budget Meeting (Joint Scrutiny with Adults and Health)

Wednesday 24 January 2018 at 7pm