Agenda for Children & Young People Committee on Monday, 12th January, 2015, 4.00pm
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Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 227 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall
Contact: Lisa Johnson Senior 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; (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: 59(a) Declaration of Substitutes
59.1 Councillor Wakefield declared she was substituting for Councillor A Kitcat
59(b) Declarations of interest
59.2 Councillor Lepper declared a personal but not prejudicial interest in Item 65, as her husband was a Board member for the Carers Centre Brighton & Hove.
59 (c) Exclusion of Press and Public
59.3 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).
59.4 RESOLVED- That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Item 73 on the agenda.
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To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2014 (copy attached). Minutes: 60.1 RESOLVED: That the Chair be authorised to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2014 as a correct record. |
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Chair's Communications Minutes: 61.1 The Chair advised the Committee of the following:
The Chair was pleased to announce that the Social and Education Services Team in Legal & Democratic Services had received the 2014 Children’s Services and Education award at the National Local Government Legal Awards held on the 29 November 2014. The Chair congratulated Natasha Watson and her team on the award. |
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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: 62.1 It was agreed that all items be called. |
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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;
(1) Hollingdean Sure Start Weekend Opening
(b) Written Questions: to receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 5 January 2015;
(c) Deputations: to receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the 5 January 2015. Minutes: 63a Petitions
(1) Hollingdean Sure Start Weekend Opening
63.1 The Committee received the above petition which had been presented at the Council meeting held on 11 December 2014. The petition had been presented by Ms. Tracy Hill and was signed by 410 residents. The petition requested that the Hollingdean Sure Start Centre should be opened at weekends as a community hub.
63.2 The Chair gave the following response:
The council is committed to finding ways to open public buildings for community use, especially at weekends and in the evenings.
Council officers across the Children’s Service, the Community and Equalities Team and Property Services have been meeting with members of the community to explore how to open the Hollingdean Children’s Centre to unrestricted public use at weekends when the council would be unable to provide any staff. This has taken some time, and I understand the frustration expressed in the petition. That does not mean that we haven’t already taken steps to prepare the building for weekend opening - for example a special roller blind has been installed to secure the reception desk and office area.
Following a recent meeting I am confident we now have shared understanding of the issues that need to be resolved and there is a firm commitment by everyone involved that the building will be open at weekends by spring or early summer.
I am hopeful that arrangements in Hollingdean will provide a model for opening other, similar buildings in the future.
63b Written Questions
63.3 There were none.
63c Deputations
63.4 There were none.
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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:
(1) Increasing the Availability of Apprenticeships in Brighton & Hove’s Schools
Minutes: 64a Petitions
64.1 There were none.
64b Written Questions
64.2 There were none.
64c Letters
64.3 There were none.
64d Notices of Motion
(1) Increasing the Availability of Apprenticeships in Brighton & Hove’s Schools
64.4 The Committee noted the Notice of Motion which had been agreed at the Council meeting held on 11 December 2014. The Chair advised that a report on this matter would come to the Children & Young People meeting due to be held on 9 March 2015.
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Young Carers In Brighton & Hove Presentation from Young Carers in Brighton and Hove. Minutes: 65.1 The Committee received a presentation from Cheryl Pierce (Senior Support Worker) and Gem Scrambler (Joint Commissioner for Carers) of the Young Carers Project. The presentation provided an update on the work of the Young Carers Project and Young Carers needs in the City.
65.2 The Chair asked how many young carers the project supported in the city and was advised it was around 150. Martin Jones asked how long it took to identify a person as being a young carer and was told it was usually around two to four years.
65.3 Councillor Lepper noted that there had been a 20% increase in referrals to the project and asked what Children’s Services could do to help support the service. The Executive Director of Children’s Services said that at the moment the project was commissioned by Adult Services but consideration could be given to reviewing the matter with the possibility of including Children’s Services. He said that a report would come to the Committee later in the year.
65.4 Councillor Simson asked how the project was funded and was advised that it came from a number of sources including the Local Authority, Comic Relief, Carers Trust and Children in Need. However, the funding had only been agreed until 2017. Councillor Simson suggested that the report referred to by the Executive Director of Children’s Services should also include information about future funding.
65.5 Councillor Brown suggested that there may be children in the city not yet identified as being a carer and asked how that could be addressed. The Senior Support Worker said that staff went to all schools, usually for PSHE lessons, and explained to the children what being a young carer was. This sometimes resulted in children identifying themselves to teachers and it increased awareness of the role of young carers for both teachers and other pupils.
65.6 Councillor Pissaridou asked if social workers were involved in supporting the young carers, and was advised that the primary work of the project was to signpost issues and where necessary refer cases to social workers or counsellors.
65.7 Amanda Mortensen asked whether there were statistics on the educational attainment of children who were young carers. The Senior Support Worker said that it was lower, but didn’t have the actual figures at the meeting.
65.8 The Committee thanked Cheryl Pierce and Gem Scrambler for the presentation.
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School Ofsted Update This is a Standing Item which provides the opportunity for officers to update the Committee on Ofsted reports received since the last meeting of the Committee and on other relevant issues. This will take the form of an oral update.
Contact Officer: Jo Lyons Tel: 29-3514 Ward Affected: All Wards Minutes: 66.1 The Head of Standards and Achievement Education and Inclusiongave a presentation providing an update on Ofsted inspections carried out during the 2014 Autumn term. A copy of the presentation was circulated at the meeting.
66.2 Councillor Brown noted that St Peter’s Community Primary School had dropped two grades since its last inspection, and asked what the reasons were. The Head of Standards and Achievement Education and Inclusion said that the school had moved from an infant to primary school, and the inspectors felt that Years 3 and 4 were not being sufficiently challenged. The Authority was working with the Head Teacher to address those issues. Councillor Pissaridou asked when the school was likely to be inspected again, and was advised that the date wasn’t known but it would be within the next two years.
66.3 The presentation advised that 82% of primary pupils and 80% of secondary pupils attended a school judged to be ‘Good or Outstanding’, and Martin Jones suggested that it would be useful to separate those categories.
66.4 RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report.
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Relationships and sex education guidance for educational settings Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services
Contact Officer: Sam Beal Tel: 01273 293533 Decision: RESOLVED:
(1) That the Committee approved the final draft (with minor amendments) of Brighton & Hove Relationships and Sex Education Guidance for Educational Settings Guidance (2015).
(2) That the Committee continued to support the continued improvement of relationships and sex education within a planned programme of PSHE Education. Minutes: 67.1 The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services regarding the final draft of the ‘Brighton & Hove Relationships and Sex Education Guidance for Educational Settings Guidance (2015). The report was introduced by Partnership Adviser: Health and Wellbeing, Standards and Achievement Team.
67.2 The Chair noted that the guidance was for ‘educational settings’, and asked if it was intended to only be used by schools. The Partnership Adviser: Health and Wellbeing, Standards and Achievement Team advised that it was primarily aimed at schools.
67.3 Councillor Wealls suggested that it would be useful for officers to hold a seminar for School Governors to talk through the guidance. The Partnership Adviser: Health and Wellbeing, Standards and Achievement Team said they would consider that. Councillor Wealls noted that section 10.11 of the guidance referred to a ‘lad culture’ at universities and asked if that was really the case. He was advised that that was a quote from research, but there was still an area of sexism which needed to be noted and challenged where necessary. The chair suggested it might be preferable to modify the wording in that part of the guidance.
67.4 Councillor Littman referred to Section 10, and noted that the section on ‘Pleasure’ was listed at number 14, and suggested that as this area was so important it should be listed earlier. He was advised that the order of the topics had been done alphabetically, but consideration would be given to re-ordering the list.
67.5 Ben Glazebrook understood that how the curriculum on relationships and sex education was delivered varied between schools; some schools had mixed year groups which could impact on students being able to fully discuss the issues being raised. He was advised that best practice was suggested but it was down to schools how they dealt with the matter.
67.6 The Committee thanked officers for the report.
67.7 RESOLVED:
(1) That the Committee approved the final draft (with minor amendments) of Brighton & Hove Relationships and Sex Education Guidance for Educational Settings Guidance (2015).
(2) That the Committee continued to support the continued improvement of relationships and sex education within a planned programme of PSHE Education.
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Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) Annual Report
Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services
Contact Officer: Hilary Ferries Tel: 01273 293738
Additional documents: Minutes:
68.1 The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services, which provided an outline of the work of Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) over the past year. The report was introduced by the Head of Standards and Achievements.
68.2 The Chair asked if there were any gaps in the membership, and was advised there were and those groups were being contacted.
68.3 Riziki Millanzi noted that there were three schools which didn’t have any exam entries which was concerning as Religious Education (RE) was important. The Head of Standards and Achievements said that SACRE would be contacting those schools. Councillor Powell agreed that it was important to speak to the schools, and establish why students didn’t appear to be able to take RE at GCSE. Riziki Millanzi said that she had attended Brighton Aldridge Community Academy and because of her exam options she had not been able to also take RE.
68.4 Councillor Wealls noted that there was a disparity between the figures provided in paragraph 3.5 of the report and paragraph 3.5 of the SACRE Annual Report, and was advised that the final report would clarify the figures. There was a difference in the way schools reported their results and some data was still to be received. The Chair confirmed the final figures would be checked to ensure they were accurate.
68.5 RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report.
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Annual standards report Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services
Contact Officer: Hilary Ferries Tel: 01273 293738
Additional documents: Minutes: 69.1 The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services, which provided an analysis of the End of Key Stage results for children and young people in the city. The report was introduced by the Head of Standards and Achievements, who was accompanied by the Ms P Sargent (Head Teacher Patcham High School), and by Ms J Taylor (Head Teacher Hove Junior School).
69.2 Ms Taylor advised the Committee of a partnership of twelve schools in Hove. The group met twice a term to share good practise on teaching and policies across the schools. The partnership worked well and had proved to be rewarding for all schools. Ms Sargent advised the Committee of another partnership called Challenge Partners, which was a national network of local partnerships built on the teaching school model which challenge schools to improve. The city had its own hub, which seven of the ten secondary schools had joined. Membership enabled schools to have a visit from a group, which would be led by an HMI or Ofsted Inspector. The visit would normally take place over a number of days, and a report would then be provided with recommendations of what a formal Ofsted report may cover. There were a number of benefits to being part of the group; it was a good way to receive feedback and was good for professional development as staff would visit other schools, which enabled good practice to be shared.
69.3 Councillor Wealls noted that children who were eligible for Free School Meals tended to have a lower educational attainment, and asked if being involved in the Challenge Partners had helped address that. Ms Sargent said that attainment for those children was improving but was it a long term issue. The Assistant Director, Education and Inclusion said that a report on Pupil Premium, which provided additional funding to schools to help raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils would be coming to the next meeting of the Committee in March 2015.
69.4 Councillor Wakefield noted the report referred to a number of groups of children such as SEN, LAC, BME, but did not refer to GRT (Gypsy Romany and Traveller) children and asked if that could be included in future reports.
69.5 RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report.
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Children’s Services Fees and Charges 2015/16
Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services
Contact Officer: Louise Hoten Tel: 01273 293440 Ward Affected: All Wards
Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED:
(1) That the position on fees charged for nurseries as detailed in Section 3.3 of the report be agreed;
(2) That the position on fees charged for Childcare Workforce Development as detailed in Section 3.4 of the report be agreed;
(3) That the position re Children’s Centres as detailed in Section 3.5 of the report be agreed to not introduce charging for some Children Centre activities;
(4) That the position on the charges for school meals as detailed in Section 3.7 of the report be noted.
(5) That the position on fees charged by Portslade Sports Centre as detailed in Section 3.8 and Appendix 2 of the report be noted. Minutes:
70.1 The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services, which provided a review of Children’s Services fees and charges. The report was introduced byAssistant Director Children’s Services (Education and Inclusion) and the Head of Surestart Service. The Committee were advised that all the recommendations in the report were subject to agreement of the forthcoming budget which would be decided in February 2015.
70.2 Councillor Simson asked how the rates for the Council run nurseries compared to private or voluntary sector nurseries. The Head of Surestart Service said that some were more expensive and some were cheaper, but it was difficult to have a direct comparison as some had different rates for different age groups, and some charged for nappies or meals etc.
70.3 Councillor Wealls referred to paragraph 3.3.3 of the report which stated that the proposal was to increase fees by 2%, and questioned whether that figure was correct as it appeared that the increase was actually 6%. The Head of Surestart Services said that the proposal was to increase the standard rate by 2%, and on top of that to charge for the cost of meals so the overall increase did appear to be higher.
70.4 Councillor Pissaridou asked if there would be any exemptions for nursery school charges, and was advised that all three and four year olds were entitled to free nursery school for 15 hours per week. Two year olds, whose parents/carers were in receipt of certain benefits, low income etc, would be entitled to the same amount of free childcare.
70.5 Councillor Wealls referred to the Music and Arts service and the proposal to increase fees and reduction in the level of subsidy, and noted that the budget strategy for 2015/16 proposed that the service lose £68k of its Council funding. The Chair said that as the budget had not yet been agreed, there had been no decision on the possible cuts to the Music and Arts service, and therefore suggested that Recommendation 2.4 could not be agreed at this time. The solicitor said that as the budget had not yet been agreed the Committee, at this time, could recommend the changes to the fees and subsidy. When the budget was set the Committee would need then need to agree any changes.
70.6 Councillor Wealls formally proposed ‘That Recommendation 2.4 in the report be removed’. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Simson. The Committee agreed to remove Recommendation 2.4.
70.7 The Committee considered the remaining recommendations and they were agreed. Councillors Pissaridou, Gilbey and Lepper abstained from the vote.
70.8 RESOLVED:
(1) That the position on fees charged for nurseries as detailed in Section 3.3 of the report be agreed;
(2) That the position on fees charged for Childcare Workforce Development as detailed in Section 3.4 of the report be agreed;
(3) That the position re Children’s Centres as detailed in Section 3.5 of the report be agreed to not introduce charging for some Children Centre activities;
(4) That the position on the charges for school meals as detailed in Section 3.7 of the report be noted.
(5) That the position on fees charged by Portslade Sports Centre as detailed in Section 3.8 and Appendix 2 of the report be noted.
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Items Referred For Council To consider items to be submitted to the 29 January 2015 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: 71.1 It was agreed that there were no items to be referred to Council. |
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Part Two Proceedings To consider whether the items listed in Part Two of the agenda and decisions thereon should remain exempt from disclosure to the press and public. Minutes: 72.1 RESOLVED: That the information contained in Item 73 remain exempt from disclosure to the press and public.
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Services to Schools Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services
Contact Officer: Roger Snell Tel: 01273 293686 Ward Affected: All Wards
Minutes: 73.1 The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services which provided information on the current service to schools provision and the proposed developments for 2015/16 following the appointment of a Traded Services to Schools manager. The report was introduced by the Traded Services to Schools Manager.
73.2 RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the report.
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