Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the CHILDREN'S SERVICES POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 17 January, 2006.

Also present were Councillors J. West, Chairman of the Council, Felicity Hindson, MBE, Executive Lead Member for Children's Services and David Kirk, Executive Member for Education.

50 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from T. Blackshaw; Mrs E.M. Byrom; M.F. Cartwright; D. Chapman and Mrs. P.M. Devereux.

51 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 61 on Continuation of Free Transport to Denominational Schools having himself a child presently in receipt of such free transport. Councillor Mrs P.A. West declared a personal interest as a governor of Knights Enham Infant School who had produced the Hampshire Artwork referred to under Minute 53 on Chairman's Communications.

52 MINUTES

The Minutes of the Children's Services Policy Review Committee held on 13 December 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

53 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that she had visited Southampton Art Gallery to view the display of art from Hampshire Schools and had been particularly impressed by the Knights Enham Infant School display.

It was noted that all County Councillors were to be invited following the special meeting of the Council on 30 January 2006 to view two short DVD presentations in the Hampshire Record Office. One was a compilation of the thoughts and aspirations of young people across Hampshire and the other the featured Music from the Youth Schools Proms held in the Royal Albert Hall, London on 9 November 2005.

The Chairman went onto mention that the Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee on 19 January 2006 was to consider a report entitled Young People Matter. Councillor K.G. Chapman, the Chairman of that PRC would welcome any Member of this Committee to attend for that item if they wished.

Finally, the Chairman reported that it was her intention to reorder the business before the Committee so as to facilitate the running of the meeting. This was to involve dealing with all other items first and concluding with the two budget reports (Minutes 64 and 65).

54 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been notified under Standing Order 21.

55 HAMPSHIRE ALCOHOL STRATEGY

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) about the Hampshire Alcohol Strategy. It was noted that the same report was to be considered by the Adult Social Care Policy Review Committee on 20 January 2006.

The Director of Children's Services reported that the Hampshire Strategy was in response to a national document. It contained an overview of the scale of alcohol misuse within Hampshire and highlighted both the existing work being carried out and an action plan. Also, at the Committee's request it was agreed to circulate to all Members a copy of the draft Hampshire Alcohol Strategy Consultation Document.

During a full discussion Members, in welcoming the report, felt it was important to raise awareness about alcohol misuse generally and particularly among young people. As a result, they wished to promote the proposed new strategy in Hampshire Schools and for it to be linked with other current Children's Services initiatives. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Policy Review Committee endorse the Hampshire Alcohol Strategy.


(b) That the Hampshire Alcohol Strategy is linked to the Hampshire Children and Young People's Plan and Parenting Strategy.


(c) That the Hampshire Alcohol Strategy is promoted in Hampshire Schools through the Healthy Schools Accreditation.


(d) That a copy of the Hampshire Alcohol Strategy 2006-2009 Consultation Document be circulated to Members of the Children's Services Policy Review Committee with an invitation to make any comments by 28 February 2006.

56 CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S PLAN

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) about the Children's and Young People's Plan (CYPP).

The Director of Children's Services highlighted that the version of the plan which had been circulated for consultation with all partners and stakeholders on 4 January 2006, was very much a draft. All partners and elected Members were therefore encouraged to make appropriate suggestions to seek to develop it further, prior to publication.

During a full discussion, Members raised a number of detailed points in relation to different aspects of the Plan and these were answered by officers. Also, they acknowledged its importance, and congratulated those involved on the progress already made and looked forward to its planned publication in May 2006.



RESOLVED:

That the Committee welcome the draft Children's and Young People's Plan (CYPP) and take the opportunity of the consultation period to 31 March 2006 to:

· ensure all their contacts know of the consultation and have an opportunity to contribute their ideas.


· offer their own feedback and ideas on the draft CYPP.

57 CHANGE FOR CHILDREN PROGRAMME

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the Change for Children Programme for Hampshire.

The Director of Children's Services reported that it was the County Council's aim to provide the necessary leadership in association with partners to establish jointly agreed strategies and priorities to ensure positive outcomes for all children and young people and referred to the various priorities for action and to the delivery of the programme itself.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note and welcome the Change for Children programme for Hampshire.

58 CHANGE FOR CHILDREN PROGRAMME : PARTNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the proposed development of partnership and governance arrangements to take forward the Change for Children programme. Members noted that the proposed new arrangements incorporated a Children and Young Peoples Partnership - Standing Conference; a Children and Young People's Partnership - Management Board and Outcome and Locality Partnerships.

RESOLVED:

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

(a) That the Children's Services Policy Review Committee welcomes the summary level functions for a Children and Young People's Partnership Standing Conference and notes the potential to develop Locality Partnerships.


(b) That the Policy Review Committee notes the development of a Children and Young People's Partnership Management Board to oversee and develop a number of Outcome Partnerships.


(c) To approve the above proposals being reported to the Hampshire Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership and notes that more detailed terms of reference and membership will be developed in order to put the new arrangements in place early in 2006, with the first Standing Conference to be established in March 06.


(d) To agree the new arrangements being taken forward for approval by Cabinet.

59 HAMPSHIRE'S STRATEGY FOR SUPPORTING PARENTS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) about the Hampshire County Strategy for Supporting Parents.

Members highlighted the importance of supporting parents and welcomed the strategy which they noted formed a key element of early intervention and prevention work for vulnerable children.

RESOLVED:

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

(a) To receive this report to inform Elected Members of plans to introduce and set the direction for Hampshire's Strategy for Supporting Parents:


(b) To note the on-going consultation process, which closes on 6 February 2006, after which responses will be summated;


(c) To approve the County Council's proposed launch of the Strategy in March 2006.

60 BASINGSTOKE SCHOOL PLUS IN THE CONTEXT OF WIDER COUNTY DEVELOPMENTS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the development to date of Basingstoke School Plus (BS+).

In discussion Members welcomed the progress being made in relation to this initiative and wished to view any proposed site before negotiations were too advanced.

RESOLVED:

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

(a) That the strategy for delivering a vocational skills based education at Basingstoke School Plus ((BS+) be endorsed and the development of a business case for the investment be supported.


(b) That further reports be presented on the progress and impact of the Basingstoke School Plus initiative on student outcomes and that the first of these reports be presented in July 2006.


(c) That further investigations into how best to meet the behaviour; emotional and social difficulty (BESD) needs of young people across Hampshire, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be supported.


(d) That further work taking place with Basingstoke secondary schools and the BS+ Management Committee, in order to develop a federated approach to provision and governance, be supported.


(e) That a report identifying the outcomes of these further investigations, including possible funding implications, be received in Autumn 2006.

61 CONSULTATION ON THE CONTINUATION OF FREE TRANSPORT TO DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 14 in the Minute Book) about the County Council's policy on the home to school transport budget and concerning a proposed consultation on the continuation of free transport to denominational schools after September 2007. It was noted that a report on the consultations would be brought back to this Committee in May 2006.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised:

That the Committee support the proposed consultation as outlined in paragraph 7.1 of the report.

62 CHILDREN'S SERVICES POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE - FORWARD PLAN 2005/06

The Committee received and noted 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.

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

The Executive Member for Education answered questions from Councillor B.D. Dash concerning children in receipt of the EOTAS Service and about this year's SureStart underspend.

64 CHILDREN'S SERVICES REVENUE BUDGET 2006/07 AND 2007/08

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and Director of Children's Services setting out, for the first time, the proposed combined Children's Services revenue budget for 2006/07, a provisional budget for 2007/08 and a recommended revised budget for 2005/06. Members noted that it combined the "old" Education Service and the Children's Social Care Services following the creation of the new Children's Services Department during 2005/06.

Following an in-depth question and answer session, the Committee felt encouraged by the Government settlement on this occasion and supported the proposed revenue budgets before them. Also Members wished to congratulate both Sarah Pook, Assistant County Treasurer, and Sheila Little, Finance Officer, Children's Services, for their extensive efforts in preparing this report.

RESOLVED:

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

That the Committee support the Children's Services Revenue Budget 2006/07 and 2007/08.

65 CHILDREN'S SERVICES CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2006/07 TO 2009/10

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children's Services and County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out the proposed Children's Services capital programme for 2006/07 to 2009/10.

RESOLVED:

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

That the Committee endorses:

(a) for submission to Cabinet:


(1) the capital programme for 2006/07 to 2009/10 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;


(2) deferral of schemes and resources from the 2005/06 capital programme to 2006/07 totalling £7.277m;


(b) the following variations to the 2005/06 capital programme:


(1) an allocation of £0.045m to Southview Infant School, Basingstoke for adaptation to form a larger library, from the capital programme contingency;


(2) an allocation of £0.046m to Cowplain Community School as a contribution to the costs of providing a Multi-use Games Area and Synthetic Turf Pitch, from the capital programme contingency.


(c) the following variations to the 2005/06 capital programme, subject to approval by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources:


(1) the addition of resources of £1.100m to the provision in the 2005/06 capital programme for minor works for specialist schools, funded from additional Government grant;


(2) the addition of resources totalling £0.476m for works under the Disability Discrimination Act at schools providing community and adult education, funded from additional Government grant;


(3) the addition of resources totalling £0.358m for schools' devolved capital in respect of Sustainable Travel Grant allocations, funded from additional Government grant;


(4) an allocation of £0.100m as a contribution to the costs of a new Youth Service facility at Rowner, Gosport, from the capital programme contingency.


(d) that the post-16 accommodation for Henry Tyndale School at "Coppers", 15 Reading Road South, Fleet be declared surplus and that it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that up to 100% of the capital receipt be used to contribute to the cost of providing a post-16 unit at Henry Tyndale School, Farnborough;


(e) that placement of a temporary toilet at Sopley Primary School be approved until 31 January 2010.

84M70106