Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

Cllr Evans who was substituted by Cllr Sheppard

Cllr Chris Hurst

James Wilkins

Dr Michael Thompson

Miss Tracy Cornelius

Mr Paul Daniels

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th September 2017.

Resolved

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 05 September 2017 as a correct record.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

a)    Cabinet Items At the 7^th November Cabinet meeting it was heard that the following item would be considered:

-       Post-16 Area Wide Review of Education in Wiltshire

b)    Julia Cramp It was announced that Julia Cramp would be leaving her position at Wiltshire Council. The Chairman expressed thanks on behalf of the committee for her work and co-operation as Associate Director for Commissioning, Performance and School Effectiveness.

c)    Jill Hughes It was announced that unfortunately due to Ms Hughes withdrawing from her position as a parent governor she would also have to step down from her position on the committee as the Primary Parent Governor Representative. Work for re-electing to the position on the committee would begin shortly.

d)    NCASS The Chairman explained that he had recently been to the 2017 National Children and Adult Services Conference in Bournemouth. The event focuses on adult and child social care, and how councils can work together.

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 on the front of the agenda 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 on the front of this agenda no later than 5pm on 24^th October in order to be guaranteed of a written response. In order to receive a verbal response questions must be submitted no later than 5pm on 26^th October. Please contact the officer named on the front 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.

No questions had been received from councillors or members of the public.

The Committee will receive an update on the activities of the WAY presented by James Wilkins, Children’s & Young People’s representative.

The committee received a report by Judy Edwards, Senior Commissioning Officer, which provided an update on the activities of the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY).

WAY has met twice since the last report. One meeting was joint with the Youth Safeguarding Board (YSB) on 20 September, the other was an online meeting on 17 October.

At the joint meeting with the YSB, members discussed the function of both groups and engaged in discussions on child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse; it was felt that both issues are best supported through Personal, Social, Health and Economic education. Members also discussed concerns relating to safeguarding and public transport, including travel by taxi.

It was heard that WAY members had worked hard to engage secondary schools in Make Your Mark, the UK’s largest youth consultation. Over 7,000 of Wiltshire’s 11-18 year olds took part in 2017.

The top five issues as identified in Wiltshire were:

1.    Mental health

2.    Protect LGBT+ people

3.    Transport

4.    A curriculum to prepare us for life

5.    First Aid education for all young people

The national results yielded the following:

1.    A curriculum to prepare us for life

2.    Transport

3.    Work experience hubs

4.    Votes at 16

5.    Protect LGBT+ people

The top five national issues will be debated by young people in the House of Commons on 10^th November, which will include the three Members Youth Parliament for Wiltshire.

Members asked why LGBT was so high on Wiltshire’s list, and asked whether it was a more prevalent issue in some schools that others. It was noted that this result could be broken down into the schools it featured highest in, and could be investigated.

Resolved

To note the update from the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY).

As requested at the previous Children’s Select Committee meeting, a report is attached to inform councillors about the ongoing support that the council provides for schools and young people during the year, with reference to the national anti-bullying campaign delivered by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) annually.

Members are asked to consider the work reported regarding anti-bullying and are invited to join the Big Conversation should they wish to.

The committee received a report by Judy Edwards and Dexter Chipeni, Level 2 Apprentice – Joint Commissioning, informing councillors about the ongoing support that the council provides for schools and young people during the year, with reference to the national anti-bullying campaign delivered by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) annually.

The role of the council with regards to bullying is to signpost and highlight

resources for schools and partners that supports their anti-bullying practices. In particular, this takes place through the Healthy Schools framework and through training for schools on personal, social, health and economic education.

The National Anti-Bullying week 2017, from 13^th to 17^th November, has the theme ‘All Different, All Equal’. Mental health and LGBT will be big topics during this. Wiltshire Council will also hold its third ‘Big Conversation’ with young people from representative groups within Wiltshire: the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth; Children in Care Council; Youth Safeguarding Board; and Healthwatch Wiltshire Young Listeners.

Data on bullying in Wiltshire was still raw and being analysed by Public Health. It was noted that schools receive their own data back so they can track their own trends and act accordingly.

Members asked if questions regarding proportions of schools with growing trends, and raised the growing concern of social media as a platform for bullying across all ages.

It was requested that a briefing on what is available to schools regarding tackling bullying be created and sent to members for them to share with their local schools and encourage their participation.

Resolved

To note the update on Anti-Bullying.

To request that a briefing highlighting the opportunity to become an “All Together School” be created for all members to share with their local schools.

Attached for consideration is the Wiltshire School Places Strategy 2017-2022 and the updated implementation plan. The Strategy is scheduled to be considered by Cabinet on 12^th December 2017.

The Wiltshire School Places Strategy 2017- 2022 replaces the 2015-2020 Strategy and will become a key framework document for the Council in considering any statutory proposals for changes to school organisation including the commissioning of new schools. It will also inform future capital investment priorities.

The Select Committee is asked to consider the latest Wiltshire School Places Strategy 2017- 2022 and its associated proposals set out in the Implementation Plan, and to provide any comments as appropriate.

The Select Committee received a report which asked them to consider the latest Wiltshire School Places Strategy 2017- 2022 and its associated proposals set out in the Implementation Plan.

The Wiltshire School Places Strategy 2017- 2022 will replace the 2015-2020 Strategy and will become a key framework document for the Council in considering any statutory proposals for changes to school organisation. This includes the commissioning of new schools, it will also inform future capital investment priorities. Under the Education and Inspections Act 2006, School Organisation Committees were abolished, and the main decisions on the provision and organisation of places, depending on the nature of the proposal and who is the proposer, are now made by the Regional School’s Commissioner or the Secretary of State.

Clare Medland, Head of School Place Commissioning, explained that the report incorporates all available data including: child birth-rates, pressures from housing, and army rebasing. The structure of the strategy remained the same as two years ago. The document had been revised to include updated area data and projections. The strategy would be used to plan for expansions of schools and new schools across the county.

In response to a question over whether the strategy should go to Area Board in draft form for comment it was explained that the strategy had already gone out for extensive consultation. This included all schools, diocese, and councillors.

Members were informed that officers were happy to receive comments and views on the strategy, and that an update on the position of the strategy could be received in 12 – 18months time.

Resolved

To note and endorse the School Places Strategy 2017-2022.

To review the position of the Schools Places Strategy in 12-18months time to consider scrutiny involvement.

The government has recently carried out a review of further education provision in Wiltshire as part of a national post-16 area review process.  Wiltshire College was the only provider in Wiltshire to be included in the 2016-17 Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire review.

Included is a report to inform the committee of the findings and recommendations from the government review of local further education provision which was completed earlier in 2017.

Members are invited to comment on the report prior to Cabinet considering it at its meeting on 7 November 2017.

A report was received informing the committee of the findings and recommendations from the government review of local further education provision which was completed earlier in 2017.

The government has recently carried out a review of further education provision in Wiltshire as part of a national post-16 area review process. Wiltshire College was the only provider in Wiltshire to be included in the 2016-17 Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire review. Findings were positive in that the College's curriculum delivers to the priority sectors identified by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) whilst maintaining provision in all areas where there is employment demand in the region and beyond, such as construction, health and tourism.

Ariane Crampton, Head of Employment and Skills, explained in response to questions from the committee that the scope of the government report did not cover keeping children in county. Outcomes included in the final report of Children’s Select Committee’s Post-16 Task Group was noted as covering this topic in detail.

Members of the committee noted that the issue of Post 16 education was wider than just Wiltshire College, and that it would be good to learn why they move out of county. It was noted that it was quality of education in county which drove children out of county.

Resolved

To note the recommendations included in the Post-16 Area Wide Review

To highlight the concerns raised by the committee in relation to item H in the report - public transport

Included in this agenda is a report which informs the committee about the delivery of apprenticeships in Wiltshire and seek comments on the Wiltshire Apprenticeship Action Plan.

A key objective of the Council’s new business plan is to grow the skills of the local workforce to attract and retain high value businesses in Wiltshire.  A specific goal of the business plan is to provide ‘more apprentices and improve access to further and higher education’.

The Committee is asked to provide comments on the Wiltshire Apprenticeship Action Plan.

The committee received a report on Wiltshire Council’s apprenticeship growth plan.

Apprenticeship growth was noted to be a key priority both nationally and locally. The Government had committed to deliver three million apprenticeships by 2020. A specific goal of the business plan is to provide ‘more apprentices and improve access to further and higher education’. Wiltshire has a target of supporting the delivery of 31,500 apprenticeship starts for the academic years 2014 to 2020.

Promotion of apprenticeships is performed through the website “Work Wiltshire”. With all apprenticeships pulled together under the one website. It was noted by the committee that this website needs better promotion.

The committee queried the range of apprenticeships currently on offer. It was explained this was relatively small, but there was a drive to offer a wider range.

Potential to receive future information on the council’s work to meet their government apprenticeship growth requirement was discussed. It was requested that this includes information on care leavers and focused on meeting the requirements as a whole.

Resolved

To note the update on the Wiltshire Apprenticeship Action Plan

To receive the Wiltshire Council Apprenticeship Strategy at a meeting of Children’s Select in early 2018.

At the 14th March 2017 Children’s Select Committee meeting, members were provided with an overview of the Children’s Services Integration (CSI) Project.  The Committee supported the proposals presented and subsequently requested this update following the completion of Phase 1.

The Support and Safeguarding Service was launched on the 2nd October 2017, marking the completion of Phase 1. The report included in this agenda provides the Children’s Select Committee with an overview of the following:

-       the progress of the Children’s Services Integration Project

-       how CSI will support the delivery of the Council’s Business Plan

-       financial implications

The committee is asked to note the Phase 1 changes and the timescales, and to endorse the direction of travel being scoped by the Children’s Services Integration Project Phase 2. This includes the desire to work with partners in a more joined up or integrated way to deliver improved outcomes for children and families

The committee received a report which gave an overview of the progress of the Children’s Services Integration Project since their last update in March 2017. The report detailed how the CSI project will support the delivery of the Council’s Business Plan and the financial implications.

The following services/functions no longer existed as separate entities:

-       Early Help Service

-       Safeguarding and Assessment Service

-       Single Point of contact to Early help

-       Single Point of Contact for Special Educational Needs and Disability

Phase 2 of CSI would consider the Children in Care, Placement and EDS, Youth Offending, Child Sexual Exploitation and SEND services, and improved integrated working with partners alongside the new model of service (Support and Safeguarding Service).

It was explained following questions from the committee that no services had stopped, however some have changed roles. All services delivered through the old service would continue to be delivered under the new service.

A single data set would be produced which could be made available to the committee. This would be up and running once it had been given a few months to collect enough data to produce indicators.

Resolved

To note the Phase 1 changes and the timescales and endorse the direction of travel being scoped by the Children’s services Integration Project Phase 2.

To receive the data set for the new model at a Children’s Select meeting in Spring 2018.

The committee is asked to consider the findings and recommendations of the rapid scrutiny exercise as detailed in their report.

This report will be circulated as a supplement to the agenda when available.

Cllr Hubbard, Cllr Cuthbert and Mr John Hawkins introduced the report of the rapid scrutiny project.

They explained that the project was unable to produce any solid recommendations from the two meetings due to a lack of information available to the members. Once the data was made available the members could continue and conclude their work.

Officers explained that there was a period following the absence of the previous Associate Director for Commissioning, Performance and School Effectiveness where full guidance was not available. As a result adequate information was not provided to the members.

Resolved

To note the report of the Traded Services for Schools Rapid Scrutiny Project.

To ask the rapid scrutiny membership to form a Traded Services for Schools Task Group.

To request that the membership of the Traded Services for Schools Task Group perform a separate piece of scrutiny on Outdoor Education.

A report by Terence Herbert, Corporate Director, is attached presenting an update on developments relating to children’s services arising from the Department for Education.

The Committee received an update from Terence Herbert, Corporate Director, on developments relating to children’s services arising from the Department for Education from August to October 2017 as follows:-

-       National funding formula for schools and high needs block

-       Primary assessment in England - Consultation outcome

-       Maths and English functional skills: revised subject content

-       Academies Update

-       £20 million improvement programme for children’s social care

-       Corporate parenting, the local offer and personal adviser support – open consultation

-       Revised guidance for virtual school heads and designated teachers – open consultation

-       Junior individual saving accounts for looked-after children

-       The Multi-Agency Response to Children Living with Domestic Abuse

-       Inspection of local authority children's services (ILACS) Pilot inspection update

-       Self-evaluation of social work practice

Elizabeth Williams, Head of Finance Care, was in attendance and answered questions on the schools funding formula. A timetable had been set for the new formula, which included a short consultation period. This included going to Schools Forum.

Resolved

To note the update provided

A report by the Senior Scrutiny Officers providing an update on Task Group Activity since the last meeting is attached.

Resolved

To note the update report

The Committee is asked to note the attached document showing the relevant items from the overview and scrutiny forward work programme plus relevant items on the current Cabinet work programme.

Resolved

To note the forward work programme

To note that the next scheduled meeting is due to be held on Tuesday 19^th December at County Hall, Trowbridge, starting at 10.30am.

There will be a pre-meeting briefing at 9.30am in the meeting room.

Noted as Tuesday 19th December at County Hall, Trowbridge, starting at 10.30am. With a pre-meeting briefing at 9.30am in the meeting room.

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

None.