Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of this agenda.

The following declarations of interest were made in accordance with the code of conduct –

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 December 2015.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2016 are confirmed as a correct record.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

The Chair highlighted to the Panel her recent visit to the Cold Truth Exhibition which focuses on child sexual exploitation.  The Chair urged members to see the exhibition at the Radiant Gallery, Derry’s Cross until 29 April 2016.

The Panel to receive a report on the Work of the School Sports Partnership.

Wendy Brett, Principal, Sir John Hunt, Heidi Price, Headteacher, Yealmpstone Farm Primary School, Giles Philips, Compton C of E Primary School and Louise Kelly, Sports Development Unit were present for this item.  It was reported that -

(a)           following changes to funding 2010 the Plymouth Sports Schools Partnership was established bringing together the two city’s sports schools;

(b)          the partnership provides fantastic opportunities for inter school competitions, links to elite coaching, leading lessons in primary schools and improving the standard quality of PE Teaching;

(c)           it encourages responsibility and healthy lifestyles for children and young people;

(d)          they were looking to set up a CIC to generate income and a legacy for Plymouth, tying in with the Thrive agenda and looking at opportunities within the city for young people.

The Panel were shown a very inspirational video and felt that this was a fantastic opportunity for children and young people across the city.

The main areas of questioning from Members related to the following -

(e)          engagement with children with disabilities, including autism;

(f)          obesity in children;

(g)           funding for sports club and lack of engagement with schools;

(h)          funding arrangements and the CIC;

(i)            how do you sell the School Sports Partnership to schools;

(j)            engagement of private schools;

(k)          the cost implication for teacher release;

(l)            definition of an elite athletes and what support provided to an elite athlete.

Agreed that when the Community Interest Company has been set up and in operation the Plymouth School Sports Partnership to comeback to Ambitious Plymouth Panel to provide a progress update in the new municipal year.

The Panel to receive an update report on the SEND Framework.

Jo Siney, Head of Special Educational Needs and Disability and Judith Harwood, Assistant Director for Learning and Communities provided the panel with a 6 month progress report.  It was reported that –

(a)         the key areas of work included –

·         improving the quality of data;

·         clear policies and processes were in place that worked for schools and families;

·         good progress made in specialist support centres for children with specific speech impairments and similar support provided for hearing impairments;

·         for the 14 – 25 years provision for young people with SEND active work had taken place over the last year to understand the offer of choice for young people to maximise their independence.

(b)        good progress had been made against the implementation plan;

(c)           by quality assuring the provision this would provide data which would allow them to review the impact the provision was making to improve the outcomes for children and young people.

The main areas of questioning from Members related to the following -

(d)        definition of a support centre;

(e)        provision for children with sight issues;

(f)          who was invited to attend the SENCO Conference;

(g)         the number of children presenting from troubled families;

(h)        training for early years staff;

(i)            provision for 14 – 25 years and the huge gap at the more severe end that fall through the gaps in provision.

Agreed that the Ambitious Plymouth Panel is provided with a further progress report on the SEND Framework 2015 – 2018 in the new municipal year.

The panel to review and monitor the progress of tracking resolutions and receive any relevant feedback from the Cooperative Scrutiny Board.

The Panel noted the progress made with regard to the tracking resolutions.

To review the Ambitious Plymouth work programme 2013 – 2014.

The Panel noted the work programme.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There were no items of exempt business.