Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Alan Kauffman, and from Councillor Nick Denys, who was substituted by Councillor Peter Davis.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were none.

It was confirmed that all items were Part I and would be heard in public.

Members reported they had not received the percentage figures for spare capacity at primary and secondary schools which had been requested from officers at the last meeting.

It was noted that, as a result of the July 2016 meeting being cancelled, the Committee had not received the budget planning report scheduled for consideration at that meeting.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2016 be confirmed as an accurate record;

(2) the percentage figures for spare capacity at primary and secondary schools in the Borough be circulated to the Committee; and

(3)  officers be requested to provide the budget planning report for consideration at the next meeting.

The Committee was asked to identify and agree a Major Review topic, to enable officers to develop a scoping report.

Officers proposed two topics for the Committee to consider. The first suggestion was in relation to the role of the Local Authority in academy schools. The role of the LA was changing with full details yet to be clarified.  The LA would have less of a role in running school education, and an increased role for vulnerable and Looked After Children.  The second suggestion was a review looking at the voice of the child and how it influenced decision-making and practice.

Members considered the merits of the two topics suggested, and discussed other possible review subjects.  The following points were made in discussion:

·                Reviews in recent years had focused on vulnerable children, which were extremely important but made up a relatively small percentage of children in the Borough.  It would be useful to take a more general look at school performance and attainment this year.

·                Elective Home Education (EHE) would not be a suitable review topic as it had been looked at by the Committee in 2011/12.  However, officers were asked to provide an update report on EHE to the next meeting.

·                Informal feedback from residents suggested they did not appreciate the relationship between LAs and academies and free schools.  This topic would be a useful one to focus on in the major review.

The Committee having put the two suggested review topics to a vote, it was

RESOLVED:  That (1) the major review topic would be 'The Council's current and future relationship with free schools and academies';

(2)  officers would produce a scoping report for consideration at the next meeting; and

(3)  an update report on EHE would be considered at the next meeting.

The Committee received an update on planning for primary and secondary school places in the Borough, following the annual refresh of the pupil places forecast.

Officers reported that it was a busy time of year for admissions and all children had been offered a place at a school.  There had been a relatively high number of children moving into the Borough.  In the north of the Borough, the demand for additional school places was flattening.  Ninety per cent of spare places were in three schools.  The Council was pushing expansion of primary schools in the north of the Borough as signs were that extra capacity would be needed.  In the south of the Borough, there was significant pressure in the Hayes area as a result of the planned residential developments in areas such as the Nestles site.  It was forecast that Hayes would need a further 3-5 forms of entry which equated to a new school.  Two new sixth form entry free schools had been announced in the Borough which would be in place September 2019 at the earliest.  There had been an increase in admissions to independent schools which had released the pressure on other schools.

The Committee congratulated Council staff on their hard work securing school places for all children.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

The Committee provided an analysis of complaints and Member Enquires received in the year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 for Children and Young People Services, including Education Services.

The Council had concentrated effort in resolving complaints informally to ensure swift resolution and prevent the need for escalation.

For Children and Young People Services, complaints dealt with informally had increased by 112% from 49 for 2014/15 to 104 for 2015/16.  There had been 32 Stage 1 complaints which was an increase of 7% from 30 for 2014/15 to 32 for 2015/16.  There were two Stage 2 complaints and no Stage 3 complaints.  Five complaints were referred to the Local Government Ombudsman, of which one was upheld, two were partially upheld, one was not upheld and one complaint was not investigated.

For Education and School complaints, there had been an increase of 35% for complaints resolved informally from 17 for 2014/15 to 23 for 2015/16.  There had been 11 Stage 1 complaints which was an increase of 83% (5).  There was one Stage 2 complaint and no Stage 3 complaints.  Two complaints were referred to the Local Government Ombudsman, and neither were investigated.

Member Enquiries about Children and Young People Services rose by 5% from 51 in 2014/15 to 57 for 2015/16.  Enquiries about Education Services rose by 65% from 32 for 2014/15 to 53 for 2015/16.

The Committee requested a breakdown of whether the increased number of complaints were low, medium or high level.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the report be noted;

(2)  a breakdown of whether the increased number of complaints were low, medium or high level be circulated to Members.

The Committee considered the draft final report and recommendations of the minor review 'Supporting educational aspiration for disadvantaged children'.

The following points were made in discussion:

·      Members were very pleased with the quality and content of the report, and requested their thanks be passed to the report author, who had since left the Council's employment.

·      The changing role of the Local Authority meant that some of the recommendations would benefit from rewording to reflect the current position.

RESOLVED:  That (1) officer be requested to reword the recommendations to retain their meaning whilst better reflecting the changing role of the Local Authority;

(2) the amended report be presented to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  That the Forward Plan be noted.

The Committee considered its Work Programme for the remainder of the 2016/17 Municipal year.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the work programme be noted;

(2)  a report on the Government's Education Policy be added to the reports for the October meeting;

(3)  an update on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and a budget planning report, also be considered at the October meeting.