Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mary Douglas, Cllr Peggy Dow, Cllr Peter Fuller, Cllr Laura Mayes, Cllr Bill Moss, Mrs Rosheen Ryan and Cllr Carole Soden.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Children’s Select Committee meeting held on 31 May 2012.

Resolved:

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 31 May 2012.

To receive any declarations of non pecuniary or pecuniary interests or dispensations granted by Standards Committee.

Revd Alice Kemp declared a non-pecuniary interest as she was Vice-Chairman of the Governors of St Nicholas School, Chippenham, which would form part of the discussion in Agenda Item No. 8 – Final Report of the Special Schools and Post-16 SEN Task Group (See Minute No 27 below)  

Members were informed that Cllr Carole Soden, the Chairman of this Select Committee, had sent her apologies because she was undergoing hospital treatment.  Members expressed their best wishes for a full recovery.   

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting. Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item.  Please contact the officer named above for any further clarification.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public or members of the Council received in accordance with the constitution. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named above no later than 5pm on Thursday 19 July 2012.  Please contact the officer named on the first page of this agenda for further advice.  Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

The Committee noted the rules on public participation and the manner in which the meeting would be held.

A report presenting the response of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to the Final Report of the Further Education in the Salisbury Area Scrutiny Task Group (May 2012).

This Task Group was established in September 2010 to undertake a review of the post-16 education available in the Salisbury area. The Task Group’s report was endorsed and referred to the Cabinet Member by the Children’s Services Select Committee on 31 May.

The Committee is asked to note the Cabinet Member’s responses and agree further action as appropriate. Recommendations 9 and 12 are directed toward Wiltshire College rather than the Cabinet Member and responses will be sought and reported to the Committee once received.

NB. In May 2012, the Committee agreed to reconvene the Task Group in May 2013 to consider progress and agree any further action required.

The Select Committee received a report which set out the response of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to the Final Report of the Further Education in the Salisbury Area Scrutiny Task Group which was endorsed by this Committee at its last meeting on 31 May 2012.  The Committee was invited to note the Cabinet Member’s response and decide any further action that needed to be taken.

Ms Di Dale, Principal of Wiltshire College, stated that she generally welcomed the findings of the report but did have concerns regarding the following two recommendations which were directed towards Wiltshire College:-

Recommendation 9 (see paragraphs 4.2.49 for further info)

Whilst recognising the challenging economic climate, Wiltshire College considers providing their own student transport service as is currently offered by some of its major competitors.

Di Dale stated that Wiltshire College had looked at, in detail, creating its own transport infrastructure. Detailed work had been completed; looking at where students travelled from, what would be the best routes to maximise pick up and what size buses would be most appropriate. However, as noted in the recommendation, the economic climate for Colleges and the public sector as a whole played a significant role with an anticipated budget reduction of 13% over the next two years. One full-size coach would cost the College c£35K and a small minibus c£20K – this price only included one collection in the morning and one return at the end of the day. Therefore, the cost was prohibitive. She also informed the Committee that some of their competitors were subsiding their transport for one final year and would be reducing services due to cost.

However, she confirmed that the College would welcome any consideration that the Council could give to putting in place a universal bus-pass scheme, such as that operated by Somerset County Council.

Recommendation 13 (see paragraphs 4.2.82 for further info)

Recognising the challenges inherent in being a city-centre provider, the Task Group recommends that Wiltshire College considers the potential impact on learner retention and attainment of its 16-19 learners having such flexibility to leave the Salisbury campus when not in lectures and, if appropriate, implements measures to encourage students to remain on campus.

Di Dale stated that the College was currently funded to provide 480 hours of learning per students, per annum for full-time 16-18 year olds over a 35 week academic year. Whilst the coalition government had given a commitment to ensure parity of funding between school sixth-forms and colleges, Wiltshire College had maximised on its resources to create what Ofsted had recognised to be an exemplary Community Campus (enrichment) programme. Furthermore, the College made clear to all students, specifically those studying for A-level or vocationally equivalent qualifications, that a significant amount of independent study outside of formal classes was expected.

Finally, Di Dale explained that as a further education college, students operated in an adult environment, where they were treated as such. Through this approach, the College was continually committed to prepare students for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

A report presenting the response of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to the final report of the Family Information Service rapid scrutiny exercise. The exercise was held on 11 May and its report  was endorsed by  the Committee on 31 May.

The Children’s Services Select Committee established the rapid scrutiny exercise on 29 March following receipt of a report on the a review of the Family Information Service (FIS) and Parent Partnership Service (PPS). It had been decided that significant changes to the FIS and PPS service specifications and contracts were requiredand proposed a number of changes that reduced the servicespecifications in the Council’s contract with Ask and the level offunding to be provided. At the time of the Committee meeting on 29 March, a final decision had notbeen made as to the continuation of the this contract and thelevel of funding to be provided in the future. The Committee resolved toundertake a rapid scrutiny exercise to explore further the nature of anyduplication in the provision of the Family Information Service and plans for howthe service will be provided in future.

The Committee is asked to note the Cabinet Member’s response and to agree any further action necessary

The Select Committee received a report which set out the response of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to the final report of the Family Information Service rapid scrutiny exercise which was held on 11 May 2012 and was endorsed by this Committee at its last meeting on 31 May 2012. 

Members were reminded that the Children’s Services Select Committee established a rapid scrutiny exercise on 29 March 2012 following receipt of a report on a review of the Family Information Service (FIS) and Parent Partnership Service (PPS). It had been decided that significant changes tothe FIS and PPS service specifications and contracts were requiredand proposed a number of changes that reduced the servicespecifications in the Council’s contract with Ask and the level offunding to be provided. At the time of the Committee meeting on 29 March, a final decision had notbeen made as to the continuation of this contract and thelevel of funding to be provided in the future. The Committee resolved toundertake a rapid scrutiny exercise to explore further the nature of anyduplication in the provision of the Family Information Service and plans for howthe service would be provided in future.

The Committee was invited to note the Cabinet Member’s response and decide any further action that needed to be taken.

A written question had been submitted by the Ask Board of Trustees which was read out by Ms Liz Garrett, Chair of Ask. A response had been prepared by the Service Director, Commissioning & Performance which was read out and circulated to Ms Garrett and members of the Committee. (Appendix 1 to these minutes)

After some discussion,

Resolved:

(1)       To note the response of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to the rapid scrutiny group’s recommendations.

(2)       To request the outcomes of the review of the Family Information Service scheduled to be undertaken between January and April 2013.

A report presenting the Final Report of the Special Schools and Post-16 SEN Task Group for endorsement and referral to the Executive will be circulated.

The Task Group began its work in May 2011 and during the review met formally on five occasions, visited Wiltshire’s six special schools and Studley Green Resource Base (or Specialist Learning Centre) in Trowbridge. It is chaired by Cllr Graham Payne.

The Task Group’s recommendations focus on the following themes:

·         Projecting and meeting future demand for SEN provision

·         Healthcare in Wiltshire’s special schools

·         Capacities, facilities and accessibility at Wiltshire special schools

·         Post-16 education for pupils with SEN

·         Residential care for children with SLD in Wiltshire

The Committee is asked to endorse the report of the Task Group and refer it to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and other parties where appropriate for response.

The Committee received the final report of the Special Schools and Post-16 Task Group.

Members were reminded that the Task Group had been established by the Children’s Services Select Committee in September 2010 with the following terms of reference:-

a)           To establish the strengths and weaknesses of current special school and post-16 SEN provision in Wiltshire, taking into account the views of service users, parents and other stakeholder groups; 

b)           To consider examples of best practice in special school and post-16 provision in Wiltshire and other authority areas;

c)            To make recommendations with respect to how special schools and post-16 SEN provision can be developed to ensure improved outcomes for Wiltshire residents with SEN.

Cllr Graham Payne, as Chairman of the Task Group, introduced the report and explained that the Task Group had concluded early on in its work that its terms of reference were very broad and could potentially encompass a huge area of work.  It had agreed that it would be more productive to focus on particular areas of concern or interest as they arose through the Task Group’s evidence gathering, starting with the physical condition and capacities of the six special schools. 

The Task Group had visited each of these six special schools in Wiltshire and also Studley Green Special Learning Centre for Complex Needs and Speech & Language, this resource centre being attached to Studley Green Primary School, Trowbridge.  During these visits further issues were highlighted which subsequently became part of the Task Group’s review and recommendations, as set out on pages 15-17 of the Task Group’s report.

During the following discussion the following points were made:-

·                Concern was expressed that disabled access, in particular wheelchair access, was not available in some areas of certain special schools.  It was suggested that discussions take place with Wiltshire College regarding this provision.

·                Cllr Tony Trotman, a member of the Task Group, stated that during the visits made the dedication of the staff had been very noticeable as had been the support and help given to them by parents and families.

·                Ms Di Dale, Principal of Wiltshire College, reported that the College had not yet been visited by the Task Group and extended an invitation to the Task Group members to examine the quality of its SEN provision.  She pointed out that the report’s reference in para. 49 to financial difficulties encountered by the College was incorrect.  She explained that Central Government had reduced the College’s funding but this had not led to financial difficulties.

·                Some concern was expressed about the level and funding of healthcare provision in Wiltshire’s special schools, particularly at the three Severe Learning Disability schools at Exeter House in Salisbury, Larkrise School in Trowbridge and St Nicholas School in Chippenham.  Concern was also expressed about the weight of responsibility this placed upon school staff and the potential risk it could pose to children’s health and safety.

·                Evidence had been received by the Task Group that some local authorities had a funding matrix whereby local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

A report updating the Committee on the work of the Safeguarding Children & Young People Task Group since it was established on 29 March 2012. The Task Group is chaired Cllr Jon Hubbard.

The Committee is asked to note the update and comment as appropriate.

Consideration was given to a report which updated the Committee on the work of the Safeguarding Children & Young People Task Group since it was established on 29 March 2012.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Chairman of the Task Group, reported on the activity to date undertaken and informed Members that a detailed presentation had been received from the Community Safeguarding Head of Service on progress that had been made with implementing improvements to the Council’s Referral and Assessment processes.

Cllr Hubbard also advised that the Task Group was kept informed of progress with the implementation of all the improvements required by Ofsted by receiving updates on the Safeguarding Improvement Plan.  Weekly bulletins were also received that were now sent to all Wiltshire Council social care staff.  It was also noted that Cllr Hubbard had spoken to staff and had explained the roll of the Task Group.

Resolved:

To note the update on the work of the Safeguarding Children & Young People Task Group.  

A report from the Service Director for Schools and Learning presenting the outcome of the consultation on adult education in Wiltshire. The consultation is now complete has and the Committee is invited to consider the results, which will be presented to Cabinet in September 2012.

On 17 January 2012, Cabinet resolved that a review of the Council’s informal adult learning provision be undertaken to ensure that it is appropriate to the needs of Wiltshire communities and the expectations of the Department of Business Innovation and Skill (DBIS). DBIS intended to pilot locally based “community learning trust” models to channel its future funding for adult education and to lead the planning of local provision. Cabinet also resolved to undertake a service-led consultation with service users, Area Boards, communities and partners on the development of a service to facilitate provision at a local level instead of the focus being on a fixed place of delivery.

The consultation has now taken place. The Committee is therefore asked to consider the four options for future delivery of informal adult education (presented in Appendix B) and the consultation responses received. The Committee may wish to submit comments or recommendations to Cabinet, who will consider this matter on 11 September.

The Committee considered a report by the Service Director, Schools & Learning, which presented the outcome of the consultation on adult education in Wiltshire which had now been completed. The Committee was invited to consider the results which would be presented to Cabinet at its meeting on 10

September 2012 and the options for future delivery of informal adult education from the following three options:-

(i)            To take no action and have no role in respect of informal adult education.

(ii)          To facilitate the provision of informal adult education at a local level.

(iii)         To coordinate and promote informal adult learning opportunities offered across the County.

After some discussion,

Resolved:

(1)       To recommend that Cabinet adopt options 2 & 3:

(i)       To facilitate the provision of informal adult education at a local level.

(ii)      To coordinate and promote informal adult learning opportunities offered across the County.

(2)       To extend the Committee’s thanks and appreciation to the Principal and staff at Urchfont Manor for their outstanding contribution to adult education.

A report from the Service Director for Schools and Learning providing an update on the Academies Programme in Wiltshire. Appended to the report is the briefing paper ‘Academy Types and Governance Models’, which outlines the background to academies and free schools both nationally and locally and was sent to all elected members on 25 May following a request from the Children’s Services Select Committee.

The Committee are asked to consider the report and agree further action as appropriate.

The Committee received a report by the Service Director, Schools & Learning, which provided an update on the Academies Programme in Wiltshire.  Appended to the report was a briefing paper ‘Academy Types and Governance Models’, which outlined the background to academies and free schools both nationally and locally and which had been sent to all Members of the Council on 25 May 2012 following a request from this Committee.

Resolved:  

To receive and note the contents of the report.

A report from Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director, on developments relating to children’s services arising from the Coalition Government.

The Committee are asked to consider the report and agree areas for further scrutiny as appropriate.

The Committee received a report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director, on developments relating to children’s services arising from the Coalition Government.

Arising therefrom:

·                School Funding Reform  It was noted that Secretary of State had announced final details of the school revenue funding system which was aimed to simplify the local funding system for 2013-14 and help to secure greater consistency and equivalence in how funding was distributed to schools.

A full review of Wiltshire’s funding formula for schools had been carried out in order to be compliant with the new arrangements.   The Schools Forum considered the proposed formula at its meeting on 13 July 2012 and schools would be consulted during September which would include an impact statement showing each school the likely impact of the revised formula on its funding.  Roadshows would be held during September to provide further details to headteachers and governing bodies on the proposed funding arrangements and the implications.

It was pointed out that the new proposals appeared to be based on an urban model and consequently rural authorities such as Wiltshire were faced with greater changes to their funding formulas.   Members were informed that the Leader of the Council was writing to the Minister about this.     

The Committee is asked to note draft Forward Work Programme attached.

The Committee received the Forward Work Programme for consideration and comment, it being noted that this would be presented to the Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee for endorsement.

Resolved:

To approve the Committee’s Forward Work Programme and commend it to the Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee to be endorsed.

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items of business.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Thursday 27 September 2012, starting at 10.30am at the Council’s Offices, Monkton Park, Chippenham.

Resolved:

To note that the next meeting of this Committee was scheduled to be held on Thursday 27 September 2012, starting at 10.30am, at the Council’s Offices, Monkton Park, Chippenham.