Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Charles Hoseason and Mr Nicholas Lait (both co-opted Members.)

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Members are requested to declare any interests orally at the start of the meeting and again immediately before consideration of the matter. Members are reminded to specify the agenda item number to which it refers and whether the interest is of a personal or prejudicial nature.

Members are also reminded of the requirements of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 that they should declare and not vote on specified matters if they are two months or more in arrears with their Council Tax payments.

No declarations of interest were received on this occasion.

To consider and approve the minutes of the last meeting on 24 July 2012 – attached.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2012 were received and approved as a correct record.

Ofsted inspected arrangements for safeguarding and services for looked after children in Richmond upon Thames from 19 to 30 March 2012.  Services were graded as ‘good’ with ‘good’ capacity to improve, demonstrating that the local authority and its health partners provide services for children and young people that exceed minimum requirements.  The final report made 23 prioritised recommendations to improve the effectiveness of safeguarding and services for looked after children.  An improvement plan has developed in response to these recommendations.  This report sets out the progress made in implementing the requirement improvements during the first three months: June to August 2012.

Mr Ian Dodds, Head of Culture and Service Improvement presented the Safeguarding and Looked After Children Improvement Plan to the Committee. He noted that based on the 23 prioritised recommendations included in the final report, 53 actions had been identified to deliver the improvements required. Progress against the actions was monitored quarterly by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and Children and Young People’s Trust Board.

Members of the Committee scrutinised in detail the actions currently indicated as amber on the action plan. Mr Dodds explained that corrective action had been taken and it was anticipated that the amber actions would be on track by the end of the next quarter in December 2012. 

Resolved: That the Committee:

1. Note the update regarding the Safeguarding and Looked After Children Improvement Plan.
2. Will continue to monitor actions on an exception basis where progress had not been as anticipated. 

This report provides:

§         Headlines on the recent Key Stage 2 test and results for junior and primary schools; and

§         GCSE and equivalent results for secondary schools and academies.

Information contained in the report is drawn from provisional test and examination data for 2012.

Mr N Whitfield, Director of Education, Children’s Services and Culture and Councillor Hodgins, Cabinet Member for Schools presented a report which outlined the unvalidated headline results for Key Stage 2 tests and GCSE and equivalent results for secondary schools and academies. Mr Whitfield noted that results remained outstanding at Key Stage 2 and significant improvement had taken place at Key Stage 4.

Members of the Committee scrutinised the unvalidated Key Stage 2 results, noting in particular that 13% of primary age children had achieved Level 6 in Mathematics. A number of questions regarding support for academically gifted children were raised. Mr Whitfield noted that Education Richmond had been reviewing this area with a view to ensuring the transition to secondary school was smooth and academic rigour and achievement sustained.

A discussion took place regarding the achievement of particular cohorts at schools which had made a significant improvement in their Key Stage 2 results.  It was noted that this could be attributed to outstanding teaching and / or a high baseline starting position of those children.

In response to questioning, it was noted that schools should continue to set aspirational targets to inspire children to learn and succeed. Members discussed the impact of outdoor play and sport on children’s achievement. Mr Whitfield noted that whilst large outside areas and playing fields were available at many schools there was not equality of outdoor space across the Borough.  Creative use of smaller spaces for play use could be equally as successful.

Mr Whitfield noted that standards had been consolidated at Key Stage 4 but results had adversely been affected by the marking discrepancies with GCSE English. He explained the results in Maths and Science were good with some schools making genuine improvements.

Members discussed the move towards the English Baccalaureate and the breadth of subjects it would incorporate. It was noted that despite Richmond’s outstanding primary school results, this had not yet been replicated at Secondary level due to the number of children moving from state primary schools to private secondary schools at age 11.

The Committee considered the progress of Academies within the Borough and Mr Whitfield noted that any schools popularity relied on the views and experiences of children and parents within a community in addition to the examination results. Members considered the future role of Overview and Scrutiny in scrutinising Academies as separate bodies to the Council.

Resolved: That the Committee:

1. Note the report containing unvalidated headline results for Key Stage 2 test results for junior and primary schools and GCSE and equivalent results for secondary schools and academies.
2. Receive a report based on the valid data at an appropriate meeting in early 2013.

This report introduces Overview and Scrutiny members to the review of the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2009-13 and to the strategic framework for the new CYPP 2013-16.

Members considered a review of the Children and Young People’s Plan 2009-13 and considered the strategic framework for the new Plan for 2013-16.

The Committee congratulated officers for the content of the existing Plan and noted the key role partnership organisations played in ensuring the vision contained with in the plan was progressed effectively and for the benefit of all children and young people within the Borough. Congratulations were also extended to all partners and stakeholders.

With regard to extending the provision of midwifery services, it was noted that this issue would be one for consideration by the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Clinical Commissioning Group.  Joint working and co-location of health and council staff at the Civic Centre would assist with progress.

Members discussed in detail the data which sat behind changes in young people’s services for emotional and mental health. Mr Whitfield, Director of Education, Children’s Services and Culture, reported that this was a priority area across all quindrats and this issue had been drawn to the attention of the Shadow Health and Well-being Board.

A brief discussion took place regarding measures in place to sustain and provide continued improvement in exam results across all Key Stages within the Borough, in particular to ensure the most able children reached their full potential. It was noted that results at the Foundation Stage indicated the achievement gap had been narrowed for this age group and work was supported by a range of projects as part of Education Richmond.

The Committee considered the provision of sport and play opportunities for children and young people across the Borough. It was noted that whilst many organised sports clubs operated within locality areas, there were fewer informal recreation sites such as Hampton Wick Skate Park.

Members queried the process behind the annual childcare sufficiency assessment. In response funding arrangements for Early Years education were explained.

A discussion took place regarding figures for young people Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) and the tracking mechanisms in place to monitor the destination of school leavers. It was noted that the number of apprenticeships available remained static in the Borough but would increase as part of raising the school leaving age. ‘Way to Work’ apprenticeships would continue to be actively pursued.

Mr Whitfield explained that working with partners was integral to providing holistic services for children and young people. Work was ongoing to further integrate ICT systems and share appropriate data between statutory agencies to provide single point of access support.

Members considered the proposed themes for the 2013-16 plan and the modes of communication which would be used to consult with young people, parents and carers and wider stakeholders.  Consultation would commence towards the end of November, with a draft plan prepared by the end of January 2013 and published end of March 2013.

Resolved: That the Committee:

1. Note the report and proposed themes for the 2013-16 Children and Young People’s Plan.
2. Make arrangements to scrutinise the draft 2013 – 16 Plan at the earliest opportunity in 2013.

In April 2012 a Budget Process Report was taken to the Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee which included a reference that each Overview and Scrutiny Committee would receive an autumn Revenue Budget Review Report. This report is intended to form the basis of a discussion on future budget direction and outline specific changes, ideas under development and other specific issues which may have a significant impact on the Directorate’s future budget. This report provides such information in respect of the Education, Children’s and Cultural Services Directorate.

The Committee considered the current developments and proposals planned for the 2013/14 budget and noted the uncertainty regarding future funding and demand for services. Government funding clarification should be provided in December 2012.

Mr P Bettles, Head of Finance and Resources, provided an overview of the national school funding policy changes and highlighted the funding implications for the Local Authority of an increased number of schools converting to Academies. In response to questions, the Committee was informed of the potential impact of the ‘Business Rates Retention’ model on funding models.

Members considered progress regarding the in-year efficiencies that were required and were informed that they were on-track. Mr Whitfield explained that financial modelling was being carried out in relation to the Achieving for Children proposals but no exact figures were available at the current time.

A discussion took place regarding the proposed savings which may  be achieved following the re-procurement of the Special Educational Needs transport contract. It was noted that feedback from parents had been positive. SEN Transport and other areas of financial pressure including Looked After Children had been included in the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The proposed saving of £50,000 from the Youth Service would not impact on service provision and related to management. 

Resolved: That the Committee:

1. Note the budget update provided
2. Would carry out further budget scrutiny (subject to confirmed figures being available) at its meeting due to take place on 15 January 2013.

This report gives details of the proposed work programme for the Education and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was Resolved: That the Work Programme at Appendix 1 be noted subject to the following additions:

1. That a future substantive item be considered regarding Children’s Centres
2. That the opportunity for Members of the Committee to meet at venues outside York House be explored.

To receive an update on Q1 and Q2 Finance (for information only – not for discussion at the meeting).