Agenda for Children & Young People Committee on Monday, 3rd June, 2013, 4.00pm
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Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 224 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall
Contact: Penny Jennings Democratic Services Officer
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Procedural Business (a) Declaration of Substitutes: Where Councillors are unable to attend a meeting, a substitute Member from the same Political Group may attend, speak and vote in their place for that meeting.
(b) Declarations of Interest:
(a) Disclosable pecuniary interests not registered on the register of interests; (b) Any other interests required to be registered under the local code; (c) Any other general interest as a result of which a decision on the matter might reasonably be regarded as affecting you or a partner more than a majority of other people or businesses in the ward/s affected by the decision.
In each case, you need to declare (i) the item on the agenda the interest relates to; (ii) the nature of the interest; and (iii) whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest or some other interest.
If unsure, Members should seek advice from the committee lawyer or administrator preferably before the meeting.
(c) Exclusion of Press and Public: To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.
NOTE: Any item appearing in Part Two of the Agenda states in its heading the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the public.
A list and description of the exempt categories is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls. Minutes: 1(a) Declarations of substitutes
1.1 Councillor Bowden was present as substitute for Councillor Geoffrey Powell and Councillor Jason Kitcat was present as substitute for Councillor Ania Kitcat.
1(b) Declarations of interest
1.2 There were none.
1(c) Exclusion of press and public
1.3 In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), the Committee considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during an item of business on the grounds that it was likely, in view of the business to be transacted or the nature of proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present during that item, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information (as defined in section 100A(3) of the Act) or exempt information (as defined in section 100(I) of the Act).
1.4 RESOLVED- That the press and public be excluded during consideration of item 11.
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To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2013 (copy attached). Minutes: 2.1 Councillor Pissaridou noted that the Scrutiny Panel identified at paragraph 60.10 of the previous minutes had in fact been Chaired by Councillor Wealls not Councillor Morgan as stated.
2.2 RESOLVED- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 March 2013 be approved and signed as the correct record, subject to the above amendment.
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Chair's Communications Minutes: 3.1 In her Communications the Chair noted that the Council had recently purchased Hove Police Station and that renovation work would begin shortly to convert the building for use as a school to provide urgently needed school places in the area. The Chair noted that the Council had recently nominated teachers and schools who had submitted a brief case study to represent all Brighton and Hove Every Child a Reader (ECaR) schools at the annual National Reading Recovery Awards. She was delighted to announce that Julia Tooke at Hertford Infant School was a finalist for the Reading Recovery Teacher of the Year Awards in the South East region and that Rudyard Kipling Primary School was a finalist for the Reading Recovery School Awards As finalists, school staff members would join the European Centre for Reading Recovery national trainers on Friday 14th June from 13.00-15.00 at the Institute of Education for the celebration ceremony. The Chair added that she hoped this would be a good opportunity to publicise the excellent local work of all ECaR schools and she would like to pass her congratulations to the finalists and thank everyone involved in supporting the strong and successful local implementation of Every Child a Reader. The Chair added that the Council had recently agreed to begin a consultation on proposals to move Patcham House School onto the Downs Park School site. The Chair noted that she had held a briefing session with Councillor Pissaridou and Councillor Wealls before this meeting to discuss any questions they had. The Chair re-assured the Committee Members that the results of the consultation and any decision on future action would return to the Committee for a decision in the near future.
3.2 Councillor Lepper noted her relief that a decision on the future of Patcham House would not bypass the Committee as she had originally feared. However, Councillor Lepper noted her extreme disappointment that she had not been permitted to attend the briefing session and that a decision to go to consultation had not been debated by the Committee in advance of doing so and nor would it be debated at this Committee meeting. Councillor Lepper added that many parents were worried and anxious by the consultation.
3.3 The Chair reassured the Committee Members that any final decision would be debated and taken by them. She added that it had been decided to begin the consultation in order to provide sufficient timeframe for the responses and to meet and liaise with stakeholders, parents, teachers and governors alike.
3.4 Councillor Lepper replied that she had an extensive professional background in education and she was very concerned about the impact the process and decision might have on such vulnerable children and the undue haste the process had undertaken thus far.
3.5 The Chair re-iterated that everyone had the opportunity to address their concerns in the consultation and there was also ongoing dialogue with parents, governors and the federation. The Chair agreed with Councillor Lepper that the process did involve unique children and it was very important the authority listened to any concerns and that these were addressed.
3.6 Councillor SImson enquired to the administrative process of the decision to be taken.
3.7 The Chair clarified that a special meeting of the Children’s Committee would be convened to debate and make a decision on the consultation response. |
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Call Over (a) Items (x – x) will be read out at the meeting and Members invited to reserve the items for consideration.
(b) Those items not reserved will be taken as having been received and the reports’ recommendations agreed. Minutes: 4.1 RESOLVED- That all items on the agenda be reserved for discussion.
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Public Involvement To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:
(a) Petitions: to receive any petitions presented to the full council or at the meeting itself;
(b) Written Questions: to receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 23 May 2013;
(c) Deputations: to receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 23 May 2013. Minutes: 5.1 No items were received.
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Member Involvement To consider the following matters raised by Councillors:
(a) Petitions: to receive any petitions submitted to the full Council or at the meeting itself; (b) Written Questions: to consider any written questions; (c) Letters: to consider any letters; (d) Notices of Motion: to consider any Notices of Motion referred from Council or submitted directly to the Committee. Minutes: 6.1 No items were received.
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Constitutional Changes Report of the Monitoring Officer (copy attached) Additional documents: Decision: That the Committee’s terms of reference as set out in this report, be noted Minutes: 7.1 The Committee considered a report of the Monitoring Officer that set out recommendations for amendments to the constitution in relation to the Children & Young People Committee which were agreed at the meeting of Full Council held on 23 May 2013.
7.2 Councillor Brown referred to page 19 of the agenda and queried whether there had not been previous agreement that the Committee would be responsible for overseeing services to young people up to the age of 25 not the age of 19 as stated. Likewise, Councillor Brown believed that the monitoring of the misuse of alcohol and substance abuse by young people should also be included within the Committee’s delegated functions as it was an extremely important issue in the city.
7.3 The Chair agreed with Councillor Brown and proposed that the changes as outlined be reviewed and amended.
7.4 RESOLVED- That the Committee’s terms of reference as set out in the report, be noted |
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Closing the Gap in Educational Achievement for Vulnerable Groups in the City
Report of Interim Director, Children’s Services (copy attached) Additional documents: Decision: That the Committee considers and comments upon the Closing the Gap in educational achievement Strategy. This will be launched and discussed in July 2013, alongside the School Improvement Strategy. The Strategy for Closing the Gap in educational achievement includes:
Minutes: 8.1 The Committee considered a report of the Interim Director, Children’s Services that set out full analysis of the gaps in achievement for all groups of pupils. The Chair stated that the next item, an updated report that provided information on the Annual Standards and School performance 2011/12, would be considered at the same time due to their similar themes.
8.2 Councillor Brown welcomed the extra funding provided by central government via an increase in the Pupil Premium and also, their emphasis on pupil development in the transition from primary to secondary school. Councillor Brown asked if any further training would be provided to governors in line with Ofsted placing greater emphasis on their role in monitoring pupil progress and their expectation that governors be seen to influence decision-making of the use of the pupil premium.
8.3 The Head of Standards and Achievements replied that support had been offered to governors. The Chair supplemented that there would be a meeting of all governors in the near future at which this issue would be discussed.
8.4 Councillor Wealls asked whether aiming to close the gaps between vulnerable groups to be in line or above the national average demonstrated sufficient ambition. Councillor Wealls also noted that attainment in maths had declined dramatically in the city particularly at KS4. He asked if officers had visited other authorities to find out how they had improved results.
8.5 The Head of Standards and Achievements replied that she agreed with Councillor Wealls ambition however, a more incremental approach was deemed more realistic and attainable. She added that meeting the national average was seen as the first step and exceeding it the next. The Head of Standards and Achievements added that a citywide maths project had been established and she had also visited Hackney recently to assess the methods used there to increase attainment in maths and how they could be transferred to Brighton & Hove. The Head Teacher of Saltdean Primary School supplemented that she believed that the ability to succeed in maths was more about pupil application and cultural attitudes than ability.
8.6 Councillor Simson asked how educational attainment was tracked throughout secondary school and what measures were being implemented to improve persistence absence, as referenced on page 73 of the agenda.
8.7 The Head Teacher of Blatchington School clarified that secondary schools used individual subject tracking, attitude surveys and a tutor system to track educational attainment. The Head of Standards and Achievements added that many secondary schools had a designated Family Liaison Officer as a way of intervention in persistent absence. Because the Officers worked in regional ‘clusters’ there were often known to pupils and parents throughout their education.
8.8 Councillor Pissaridou enquired if pupil standards were slipping subsequent to finishing the Early Years programme.
8.9 The Head of Standards and Achievements replied that work was ongoing and continuing at KS1, including the Every Child a Reader programme.
8.10 Councillor Buckley asked whether there would be greater emphasis from Ofsted on socio-economic backgrounds and learning developments.
8.11 The Head Teacher of Blatchington Mill School replied that whilst schools used a number of different measures, the main system used was uptake of Free School Meals.
8.12 Councillor Buckley stated that she didn’t believe this to be an accurate measure to provide comprehensive analysis.
8.13 Councillor Wealls noted that the gap in proportion of children with Free School Meals and those without achieving 5+ A-C grades had increased by 3% compared with 2011 and was at its highest point since 2006. On that basis, he enquired whether the Performance Indicator should be red rather than the currently assigned amber.
8.14 The Head of Standards and Achievements clarified that she would reassess this figure with the council’s data team.
8.15 Councillor Bowden stated that he and Councillor Brown had recently visited a Homework Club at a library. Councillor Bowden asked if this was a scheme that was being encouraged.
8.16 The Head of Standards and Achievements replied that she find out the full details and report back. She was aware of similar arrangements between Whitehawk Library and Whitehawk School.
8.17 RESOLVED-
That the Committee considers and comments upon the Closing the Gap in educational achievement Strategy. This will be launched and discussed in July 2013, alongside the School Improvement Strategy. The Strategy for Closing the Gap in educational achievement includes:
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Report of the Interim Director, Children’s Services (copy attached) Additional documents: Decision: That the Committee accepts the updated report about standards achieved in Brighton & Hove schools, colleges and settings in 2011/12 Minutes: 9.1 For discussion see item 8.1 onward.
9.2 RESOLVED- That the Committee accepts the updated report about standards achieved in Brighton & Hove schools, colleges and settings in 2011/12. |
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Update on Childcare for Two Year Olds and Provision for the East of the City Report of the Interim Director, Children’s Services (copy attached) Additional documents: Decision: 1. That the committee notes work being undertaken to develop proposals for capital spend.
2. That the committee notes the CSA and agrees to its publication.
3. That the committee agrees to the proposal set out in the Part II paper
Minutes: 10.1 The Committee considered a report of the Interim Director of Children’s Services that explained the work being carried out in light of central government’s extension of free childcare to 20% of two year olds in September 2013 and 40% in September 2013. It also provided further information on the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) completed in March 2013 that set out childcare supply in Brighton & Hove.
10.2 Councillor Simson asked if children were disadvantaged by the lack of childcare provision in some areas.
10.3 The Early Years & Childcare Strategy Manager clarified that whilst there was no sign of the lack of childcare provision causing disadvantages; there were areas in the city where there was less choice of childcare
10.4 Councillor Lepper noted that it appeared the highest provision of childcare was based within smaller, more affluent wards. Councillor Lepper asked what could be done to improve this.
10.5 The Early Years & Childcare Strategy Manager replied that a review of the data on where eligible children were likely to live had been identified. In turn, this would provide clarity to discussions regarding expansion with local childcare providers.
10.6 RESOLVED-
1. That the committee notes work being undertaken to develop proposals for capital spend.
2. That the committee notes the CSA and agrees to its publication.
3. That the committee agrees to the proposal set out in the Part II paper
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Items Referred For Council To consider items to be submitted to the [Insert Date] 2012 Council meeting for information.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 24.3a, the Committee may determine that any item is to be included in its report to Council. In addition, any Group may specify one further item to be included by notifying the Chief Executive no later than 10am on the eighth working day before the Council meeting at which the report is to be made, or if the Committee meeting take place after this deadline, immediately at the conclusion of the Committee meeting
Minutes: 11.1 No items were referred to Full Council for information.
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Provision of Childcare In East Brighton (exempt Category 3)
Report of the Interim Director, Children’s Services (copy circulated to members only) Decision: That the recommendations in the Part 2 report be agreed. Minutes: 12.1 RESOLVED- That the recommendations in the Part 2 report be agreed. |
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Part Two Proceedings Minutes: 13.1 RESOLVED – That the Part 2 Items remain exempt from disclosure from the press and public.
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