(a)

the Vice-chair had spoken to the Diocese but was awaiting a response.  Colin Moore, Assistant Director further added he had written directly to the Diocese and was also awaiting a response;

(b)

theCYP OSP Terms of Reference were agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board.

(a)

a lot of changes had taken place nationally and there is no longer a requirement to have an LSP;

(b)

there were significant benefits from working in a partnership environment.  The LSP Executive had looked at the benefits of partners coming together and assessed that some topics could only be addressed through wider partnership working;

(c)

emerging issues for the partnership:

- child poverty;

- alcohol abuse;

- worklessness.

In response to questions raised, it was reported that -

      (d)

the partnership needs to understand what partners can support and commit to.  The child poverty work plan is a good example of partners working together;

     (e)

the LSP Wise Theme Group address the wider issues on behalf of the city.

Agreed that –

1.

plans for each of the five themes listed in the LSP Wise Theme  Group report to come back to the panel on a regular basis;

2.

the panel to receive an overview on the different theme groups and how they fit together and contribute to the delivery of the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011 – 14.

(a)

GCSE results have never been better, however, cannot be complacent as under half of youngsters were still leaving school under the national average in terms of their skills set;

(b)

raising aspirations is one of the four priorities for the city.  This is also crucial for young people and to fit this into the growth agenda for the city;

In response to questions raised, it was reported that -

(c)

priorities are monitored by the Corporate Management Team, Department of Education, Cabinet, Children’s Trust and inspected by Ofsted;

(d)

The three main priorities for Lifelong Learning:

- Children and Young People’s Plan;

- work with the Department of Education on revising the Participation Age;

- restructure of Lifelong Learning division.

(e)

Careers South West are specialists for ensuring young people have access to the right opportunities;

Maggie Carter, Assistant Director (Learner and Family Support) gave an update to the panel.  It was reported that there is a very clear requirement to champion the needs of young and vulnerable people and their families, working closely with Lifelong Learning and Children’s Social Care making sure all children’s needs are not lost.

In response to questions raised, it was reported that -

(f)

there is likely to be changes to the statutory responsibilities with the new government proposals on Special Educational Needs (SEN) and services would have to adapt to the changes;

(g)

efficiency savings made with streamlining the number of managers and bringing some services together and protecting the frontline services;

(h)

the primary schools to be expanded to meet the growth in birth rate:

- Prince Rock

- Mount Wise

- Riverside

- Weston  Mill

- Ernesettle

(i)

children’s school meals are healthy and locally sourced;

(j)

there had been a significant increase with children being diagnosed with autism and every school needs to be equipped to deal with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD);

Agreed that -

1.

Adult Learning to be added to the CYP OSP Work Programme;

2.

information to be provided on the work undertaken by the Employment and Skills Group;

3.

the panel to receive information on the children’s workforce induction programme undertaken by all staff working with children and young people;

4.

the panel receive a report on the uptake of free school meals;

5.

the panel to receive information on whether the build and recreation of full production kitchens in remaining primary schools and PRU to end transported meals was on track for completion by August 2011;

6.

further information be provided on Special Educational Needs (SEN) funding for 2012/13 to the panel in January 2012.

(a)

sickness levels were improving and monitored;

(b)

historically it was a statutory requirement for the local authority to provide school transport for SEN pupils and this can be costly.  In the past we had consistently overspent in this area and set a more realistic budget for this year;

(c)

agency spend had reduced.  The current spend was in school admissions, catering and passenger assistance to cover for sickness absence.

1.

the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board be made aware that for scrutiny panels to be able to monitor Budget and Performance effectively, corporate reporting cycles need to facilitate panels receiving timely reports containing up to date information;

2.

the Corporate Parenting Group to provide the panel with an update on children in care to include-

-  age profile of children in care;

-  time spent in care;

-  number of children returning back into care.

3.

further information be provided to the panel on the 2011/12 budget for SEN transport.

(a)

this is not an isolated piece of casework and affects other wards in the city;

(b)

a young family moved into the area and applied for school places for their two children, one primary place and one secondary place.  A primary school place was offered to the youngest child but the school was some distance from the family home.   A secondary school place had recently been resolved after intervention from Councillor Mrs Aspinall;

(d)

many transfers take place within the city with new families moving into the area and families moving within the city;

(e)

heads of dthe School Admissions team have a two week backlog and receive in excess of 20 applications a day for in year admissions;

In response to questions raised, it was reported that -

(g)

there is no relocation plan in place for the family to move them closer to the allocated school;

(h)

schools with their own admission authority arrangements would have to comply with the Admissions Code.  If a school does not comply, the Secretary of State or the Schools Adjudicator would be contacted to intervene;

(i)

since September 2010, 2500 in-year admissions were received by the School Admissions Team.

Agreed that the issues with in-year admissions to be highlighted to the School Admissions Forum.  A further report on findings to come back to the panel and Councillor Mrs Aspinall at a later date.