Archived decisions

ITEM 3

AT A MEETING of the CHILDREN'S SERVICES POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 13 December, 2005.

Also present Councillor Felicity Hindson, MBE, Executive Lead Member for Children's Services and Councillor David Kirk, Executive Member for Education.

34 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from M.F. Cartwright; T. Coupland; L.T. Dunsdon; Mrs. K. Heron; R. Kimber; S. McArdle.

35 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed. Mr. D. Mayer declared a personal interest under Minute 44 Progress on Hampshire Excellence Cluster as Chairman of Governors of Riverside Special School.

36 MINUTES

The Minutes of the Children's Services Policy Review Committee held on 11 October 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to an amendment to Minute 26 "Education in Hampshire In The Primary Years" to refer to spirituality in primary years being a welcome addition to the draft strategy.

37 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that draft terms of reference had been agreed by the Special Needs Panel to be renamed the Children's Special Needs Group. It was intended that the Group should meet whilst the proposed changes and improvements to scrutiny were being worked on. Members noted that there was to be a briefing session in February next year on Special Needs issues and that this would be open to all Members of the Committee.

Members were reminded of Councillor Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott's invitation for expressions of interest in a "task and finish" special needs project. It has since been given the title "When the Statutory Assessment Process Goes Wrong" and would comprise a small group of Councillors who would report back on their work to the Policy Review Committee in due course.

The Chairman went on to refer to Children and Adult Social Care retaining its two star rating, and to being judged "excellent capacity to improve" for the Children's Section. She felt both Rea Mattocks and John Coughlan and their respective staff should be congratulated in view of current budget challenges and to having to respond to new systems of working.

The Chairman reported on her attendance at the ADSS Conference in Birmingham and on her visit with Councillor Felicity Hindson MBE to the Rose Road Centre in Southampton. Both Members had been most impressed at the provision for SEN children and on the facilities for respite care at the Centre. Councillor Leversha also highlighted the Youth Service Celebration of Achievement evening for staff, the Thornden School Sports Awards and the opening of "The Health Place" at Staunton Park School, a pilot health service for young people on the campus. She further made reference to a Rushmoor Young Volunteers Awards evening at which she had once again been so impressed by the voluntary work our young people undertake. Mark Houston, who himself had been in Local Authority care and was now a Member of staff had, it was noted, lead a workshop at a European Conference centred on the health and well-being of young people in Europe. Finally, the Chairman paid tribute to Basingstoke School Plus for the achievement of one of its students who had been named "Young Person of the Year" at the Star Annual Achievement Awards. It was noted that two more achievers from Basingstoke had also been mentioned. Despite their learning difficulties, the young men involved had set up a group for school leavers called "Speakeasy"and a club called "Virtual Friends" and as a result had been named "Community Champions."

38 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been notified under Standing Order 21.

39 PRESENTATION ON "LIKE BEING RICH"

Howard Firth, a Service Manager for Children's Services, showed to the Committee a DVD presentation entitled "Like Being Rich" which explained to Members the role of a Corporate Parent and an understanding of some of the issues and difficulties facing young people in care.

The Committee thanked Mr. Firth for his attendance and for the presentation.

40 PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING THE CHILDREN ACT 2004

The Director of Children's Services gave a resume of progress in addressing the challenges of implementing the Children Act 2004. Particular reference was made to forthcoming structural changes within the Children's Services Department aimed at strengthening, modernising and streamlining the Senior Management Team. Also, reference was made to the initiatives being taken in relation to the delivery of future services and to the important work being undertaken by the Children's Services Board. In response, it would be necessary for the Policy Review Committee itself to adapt its existing corporate and scrutiny role. It would require new terms of reference for the Committee in line with a corporate process to revise terms of reference for the Policy Review Committees and other work over the coming months on related matters such as the role of co-opted Members. The Committee noted that a series of briefings and training events would be organised for PRC Members, including those serving on Adoption Panels, as the work progressed. Following a question and answer session, the Committee thanked the Director of Children's Services for his update.

41 BUDGET MONITORING 2005/06 - CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and Director of Children's Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on budget monitoring for the financial year 2005/06 in relation to the new Children's Services Department.



During the ensuing discussion, Members raised a number of questions on those paragraphs where the projected outturn in some areas was significantly different from the cash limit. Explanations for this were provided at the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services be advised:

(a) That the budget monitoring report and an early identification of cost pressures be noted.


(b) That the proposals for management action to address the overspend variations be noted.

42 THE PERFORMANCE OF HAMPSHIRE SCHOOLS 2004-2005

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) summarising the achievements of Hampshire's schools during the academic year 2004-2005.

Members commended the report and Hampshire schools on their results which showed they continued to perform well and, in most key stages, to make improvements. They wished to congratulate those who had given support and advice to the schools involved and felt this was an important point which should be recognised. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised:

(a) That the achievements and commitment to improvement of schools and those who support them be commended.


(b) That the report and appendices be distributed to all Hampshire Headteachers and Governing Bodies.


(c) That congratulations be passed to all those who gave support and advice to Hampshire Schools.

43 REVIEW OF SCHOOL PLACES AT BURNHAM COPSE INFANT AND BURNHAM COPSE JUNIOR SCHOOLS AT TADLEY

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of consultations following the request from Burnham Copse Infant and Burnham Copse Junior Schools' governing bodies to consider amalgamating the two schools to reduce the level of surplus primary places in the Burnham Copse Schools and at the same time improve teaching and learning facilities.

In discussion the Committee welcomed the opportunity they had to visit the Burnham Copse Schools on 28 November 2005, along with Cabinet Members. The Committee noted that the Governors and staff had carefully considered the issues relating to both the infant and junior school options for remodelled buildings to create at 210 place primary school. They had identified advantages and disadvantages associated with each option as set out in the report with no firm view as to a preference. Members of the Committee in supporting the proposed amalgamation were also divided on the building issue. However, in conclusion, the majority of the Committee were in favour if it was necessary, of retention of the Junior School building. They wished the Cabinet to be advised of this. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet be advised:

(a) That should it be necessary to choose whether the Burnham Copse Junior School or the Burnham Copse Infant School be retained for the purposes of the new Primary School, the majority of the Committee favour retention of the Junior School.


(b) That public notices be published in accordance with sections 28 and 29 of the School Standard and Framework Act 1998; to:


(1) discontinue Burnham Copse Infant School and Burnham Copse Junior School with effect from 31 December 2006, and


(2) establish a new one entry community primary school, to cater for 210 pupils aged 4 - 11 plus pre-school provision, in remodelled buildings on the Burnham Copse Schools' site with effect from 1 January 2007.


(c) That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services undertake a feasibility study to consider possible alternative uses of the redundant school building, and report in due course on the findings of the study and a capital strategy for funding the work to establish the primary school.

44 PROGRESS ON HAMPSHIRE EXCELLENCE CLUSTER

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the progress of the Hampshire Excellence Cluster and the Behaviour Improvement Programme in Leigh Park, Havant. Councillor D. R. Blampied declared a personal interest at this point in the meeting being a governor of the Wildern School at Hedge End.

In discussion Members were reminded of how the Leigh Park Education Action Zone had become the Hampshire Excellence Cluster comprising fourteen schools from the area and noted that they had formed a partnership with a high achieving school. Wildern School in Hedge End had subsequently been invited to take part and join in with the Leigh Park Schools. The Committee commended the success of the project and felt all the schools involved should be congratulated.

Accordingly, it was:

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Committee welcome the progress of the Hampshire Excellence Cluster and the Behaviour Improvement Programme, and give support to continuing this work in Leigh Park, Havant.


(b) That the Director of Children's Services write and congratulate the Headteachers of each of the schools who took part and invite them to share the lessons they had learnt for inclusion in a future report to the Committee.

45 FAMILY MENTORING SERVICES - PROGRESS REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on progress with the introduction on a phased basis, of the Family Mentoring Service.

Members welcomed the work being undertaken by the service to support families and asked that this Committee, as well as the Executive Member for Children's Services, continue to receive future reports on progress. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Committee, in addition to the Executive Member for Children's Services, continues to receive future reports on the progress of the Family Mentoring Scheme and on any related development proposals.

46 GREEN PAPER "YOUTH MATTERS"

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the main themes of the Government's Green Paper "Youth Matters." Members welcomed the Paper as a positive way forward.

RESOLVED:

(a) That Members acknowledge and welcome the response made by the Children and Young People's Partnership to the Green Paper "Youth Matters".


(b) That the Director of Children's Services be requested to consider appropriate responses in preparation for the implementation of "Youth Matters" proposals.


(c) That the Director of Children's Services keeps Members informed of the Government's response to Youth Matters and of the impact that legislation has on County Council duties and practice in relation to young people.

47 SCHOOL MEALS STRATEGY 2005-2008

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on the proposed School Meals Strategy for 2005-2008.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised to support the proposed School Meal Strategy for 2005 to 2008.

48 CHILDREN'S SERVICES PRC - FORWARD PLAN 2005/06

The Committee received the report of the Chief Executive (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on those items previously identified as part of the Committee's Forward Plan for 2005/06. The Committee noted a request by the Chairman for a further item to be added in relation to a future report about providing appropriate data on the costs of the home to school transport service with costs broken down into their constituent elements and then benchmarked against other like authorities.

49 QUESTIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE LEAD MEMBER FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND TO THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR EDUCATION

The Executive Member for Education answered a question from Mr. S. Juniper concerning initiatives being taken with young people in Hampshire to build social cohesion and respect between inter-faith communities.

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