Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

Councillor Michael Evans had sent his apologies to the Panel. Councillor Colin Barrett was present as his substitute for the duration of the meeting.

The Liberal Democrat Group currently has a vacancy on the Panel, Councillor Lisa Brett was their representative on this occasion.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer or a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

The Chair will be asked to accept this item onto the agenda - call-in request relating to the Cabinet decision of 13^th November 2013 concerning the re-structuring of the Early Years, Children's Centre and Early Help was received and validated on 21^st November 2013.

The Chair agreed that the Panel would debate the Call-In of the recent Cabinet decision E2593: Re-structuring of the Early Years, Children's Centre and Early Help (0 - 11 years) Services 2014 – 2016 at Item 11 in the agenda.

Councillor Tim Warren and Councillor John Bull had registered to speak in relation to the Call-In of Cabinet decision E2593: Re-structuring of the Early Years, Children's Centre and Early Help (0 - 11 years) Services 2014 – 2016. They both asked to speak when the matter was reached on the agenda.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst asked for her apologies to be recorded for the meeting that took place on September 23^rd 2013.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous two meetings with that amendment as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chairman.

Every school in the Bath and North East Somerset has a Travel Plan and we were one of the first Local Authorities to achieve this. We also have a shift away from car use from 32.5% in 2006/7 down to 26.7% in 2009/10 throughout Bath and North East Somerset in both rural and urban areas. Comparing 2006/7 data with 2009/10 data, more children are cycling, using public transport and car sharing rather than coming by car. This report updates the Panel on current initiatives.

The Transportation Planning Manager introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that a School Travel Plan (STP) is a working document developed by the school which aims, amongst other things, to:

•  reduce congestion at the school gates

•  encourage more sustainable forms of transport on the school journey

•  promote a healthier lifestyle

He spoke of how there had also been a shift away from car use from 32.5% in 2006/7 down to 26.7% in 2009/10 throughout Bath and North East Somerset in both rural and urban areas. He added that in comparing 2006/7 data with 2009/10 data, more children are cycling, using public transport and car sharing rather than coming by car.

Councillor Sarah Bevan asked if schools were to be issued with free bike stands.

The Local Sustainable Transport Co-ordinator replied that £35,000 had been set aside in the budget for work in this area and that that was one of the ideas being discussed. She added that another element on the Plans was to enable the schools to become part of the project delivery and to make people aware of their options.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how often the Plans are reviewed.

The Local Sustainable Transport Co-ordinator replied that the Plans were very officer intensive in the first instance, but now there is an online facility that allows schools to update them directly which is linked to a national accreditation.

Councillor David Veale asked if having a School Travel Plan officer had seen a substantial improvement in the numbers of pupils using modes other than a car to travel to school.

The Local Sustainable Transport Co-ordinator replied that there could be as much as a 25% increase through direct work.

The Team Leader for Traffic and Safety replied that he would send the Panel a report that had been written by an officer from Sustrans.

The Transportation Planning Manager added that officers try to identify where the focus for change is required and take direct action. He believed that the trends seen will continue in a positive manner and that encouraging feedback has been received from the schools.

The Chair thanked them for their report on behalf of the Panel.

This report highlights the Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) provision within the Council and the results of the latest Schools Health Education Unit (SHEU) survey.

The PSHE & Drug Education Consultant introduced this item to the Panel. She introduced Viv Crouch, School Nurse, who informed them that B&NES has extensive experience in developing and delivering evidence based sexual health education/prevention for young people.

She added that key to this was the Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) CPD Accredited Training Programme for Teachers, Nurses and Other Professional which is designed to ensure quality PSHE provision in Sexual Health, Drug & Alcohol Education, Emotional Health and Well-Being as well as to improve local partnership work. She said that to date 200 participants had completed the course which had been a programme of generic PSHE skills / standards plus an area of specific focus, which for most participants has been Sex and Relationships Education (SRE).

The PSHE & Drug Education Consultant reported that the outcomes of the recent SHEU survey were good in comparison to national figures and that a regional analysis was currently underway. She then highlighted some of the positives from the survey and areas of concern.

Positives: Primary

• Feeling fit & physical activity
• Cycle Safety
• Alcohol / Smoking (Year 6)

Of concern: Primary

• Anxiety levels / worrying
• Self esteem
• Perceptions of bullying
• E-safety

Positives: Secondary

• Having breakfast
• Dental Care
• Alcohol / Smoking

Secondary: Of concern

• Worrying
• Self esteem
• Fewer enjoying school / wanting to stay in full time education
• Perceptions of bullying

She said that work in relation to the outcomes of children in receipt of Free School Meals was on-going.

She stated that one of the actions following the survey was to attempt to decrease bullying and the perception of bullying within Secondary Schools.

She reported that there had been a 40% reduction in teenage pregnancies through partnership working and that an enhanced sexual health service was now run at 5 – 6 schools and 3 youth centres. She added that a training programme had also been developed to help parents talk to their children regarding these matters.

Councillor Sarah Bevan commented that she was concerned by the figures relating to the perception of being bullied.

The PSHE & Drug Education Consultant replied that this was pupils responding to say that they were afraid of being bullied / attending school. She added that focus groups had been suggested to be set up at schools amongst other work.

Councillor Sarah Bevan commented that she had noticed signage within the toilets of Bath College relating to female genital mutilation and asked if officers were addressing this issue also.

The School Nurse replied that work had been carried out with students on this matter. She added that she was aware that in Bristol 20 – 30 correction procedures were taking place a month.

Councillor Lisa Brett asked if an increase in violence in relationships had been seen.

The PSHE & Drug Education Consultant replied that there had been a noted increase in sexual bullying which include verbal abuse and inappropriate touching.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she was concerned in the huge gap between pupils that receive Free School Meals and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

A call-in request relating to the Cabinet decision of 13^th November 2013 concerning the re-structuring of the Early Years, Children's Centre and Early Help was received and validated on 21^st November 2013.

The Chairman introduced this item to the Panel. She informed them that a total of 21 Councillors had signed the Call-In notice and explained the procedure involved. She then asked the Lead Call-In Member, Councillor Liz Hardman to address the Panel.

Councillor Hardman reaffirmed the points stated within the Call-In notice:

·  The Cabinet has not answered the questions raised by the EYCY PDS Panel including which services will be provided under the proposed new model, who will run the various Children’s Centres and to whom these services will be available;

·  The Cabinet has not formulated any response either to the recommendations of the Early Years, Children and Youth PDS Panel or to the Minority Report

·  The Cabinet has provided no timetable for formulating such a response; and

·  The Cabinet has given no indication about whether it is prepared to reconsider its overall budget to identify alternative areas of saving, as recommended by both the EYCY PDS Panel and the Minority Report. 

She argued that the proposed 38 – 40% cuts for Children’s Services were disproportionate to other services of the Council. She also called for any cuts in services to be delayed until the budget of 2015.

She urged the Panel to uphold the Call-In.

Councillor Lisa Brett commented that the Cabinet had agreed to note and formulate a response to the Panel’s recommendations and the issues raised in the Minority Report.

Councillor Liz Hardman replied that they had given no timetable in which they intend to respond. She added that no clarification had been given on the model to which the centres would operate and what services would be available at the centres.

The Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children & Youth, Councillor Dine Romero addressed the Panel. She acknowledged that the points raised in both reports had not been answered yet and said that was because the models had not yet been fully designed. She added that a consultation process must be carried out and that tenders for services would need to be received. She said that she planned to respond within 2 months and offered to provide an update to the Panel at their meeting in January.

She stated that there was not a one size fits all solution and so time was required to put the correct services in place. She also confirmed that she had asked the other Cabinet Members to look at their budgets to see if they could ease the pressure on Children’s Services.

Councillor Colin Barrett commented that residents within Weston were already concerned that a decision had already been made of the future of the centre located there as a number of groups had been touting to use it.

Councillor Romero replied that no decision had been made.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked when any changes will occur.

Councillor Romero replied that implementation was likely in 2015.

Councillor Tim Warren addressed the Panel. He said that the Cabinet had failed to address the concerns raised especially those of services to be provided and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

This is a briefing on SEND reform and its implications for Bath and North East Somerset. The report sets out the new requirements, outlines work underway and some of the issues and implications. This paper does not make firm proposals for changes to the way services are organised or funded at this stage.

The Child and Families Group Manager introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that there are 760 school age children in B&NES with statements of SEN who will need education health and care (EHC) plans. He added that it is likely based on both national and local data that 18-20% of all children and young people in B&NES have some level of SEN, most of whom are supported in schools and other universal and targeted services with specialist input when needed.

He stated that B&NES did a good job within its current framework and was good at transitions. He said that the proposal was to now have one whole service up to 25 years of age and for the plans to be personally incentive led and shared with other services.

He explained that a pilot was planned for the New Year with implementation scheduled for September 2014.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she felt it was a good proposal. She asked what impact it would have on pupils in receipt of School Action Plus.

The Child and Families Group Manager replied that under the new proposals some of the terminology will change. He said that the statutory duties upon academies and places of further education would be strengthened.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst commented that she welcomed the measure to include people up to the age of 25. She asked when the Panel could receive further information on the matter.

The Child and Families Group Manager replied that officers would have a better idea of how the plans would work in the Spring / Summer of 2014.

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People – Strategy and Commissioning added that it was not solely a Council matter and that schools and bodies such as the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) need to be involved.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the issues of SEND reform for Bath & North East Somerset.

The Chair thanked the Child and Families Group Manager for his report on behalf of the Panel.

This report seeks to update the Panel on the actions of the Local Authority in response to our “Early Help Offer”. Both the recently updated version of “Working Together” (2013) and the Review of Child Protection by Professor Eileen Munro place particular emphasis on the importance of each Local Authority developing and sustaining ways of identifying families that would benefit from support at an early/preventative stage. This “offer”, must ensure that all partners contribute to the support plans for these families and that outcomes are positive.

The Divisional Director for Children and Young People – Specialist Services introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that the Early Help offer in Bath and North East Somerset was delivered across a number of teams and settings. He said that these included the Connecting Families Team, our Children’s Centres across the region, Youth Service and Connexions Team.

He informed them that as of 1st November “Targeted” services were now managed alongside “Specialist” services. He said the integrated approach was in line with the “Early Help” model on intervention which has been included in the new LSCB “Threshold” document.

He spoke of the Connecting Families programme and how it had now been running for over six months. He said the team were currently working directly with 35 families identified by the government and ourselves as needing intensive intervention. He stated that in addition to this the team are also assisting with/supporting work with approximately 100 additional families where partner agencies are also involved in work to improve outcomes.

He informed the Panel that Council are currently in the process of bringing the Connexions Service back “in-house”. He said that at the point the service comes back into the Council it would take the opportunity to reduce the service by 50% as part of the contribution to the Medium Term Service Resource Plan. He explained that this would still enable us to maintain a service that is able to track the progress of pupils into further education, training or employment, as well a small/reduced capacity to undertake targeted work with those young people at risk of becoming NEET.

The Chair thanked him for his report on behalf of the Panel.

This report sets out the headlines of pupil performance in 2013 at ages 5, 7, 11, 16 and 18.  Currently the data for Key Stage 4 and Post 16 is provisional. Performance figures for all key stages are provided within the attachment to this report.  A glossary setting out national expectations for each key stage is also attached.

The Deputy Director for Children and Young People – Strategy and Commissioning introduced this item to the Panel. He said that very little information had changed from the data reported verbally in September.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if academies were monitoring the results of pupils in receipt of free school meals.

The Deputy Director for Children and Young People – Strategy and Commissioning replied that he would approach them on the matter.

The Chair thanked him and the officers associated for compiling the report on behalf of the Panel.

The Children’s Service Medium Term Service & Resource Plan (MTSRP) Update is presented for consideration by the Panel:

(1)  To ensure all members of the Panel are aware of the context for Service Action Planning

(2)  To enable comment on the strategic choices inherent in the medium term plan

(3)  To enable issues to be referred to the relevant Portfolio holder at an early stage in the service planning and budget process.

The Deputy Director for Children and Young People – Strategy and Commissioning introduced this item to the Panel. He wished to highlight some of the bullet points from within Appendix 1.

·  Changes to the role of the Local Authority in Education – with a number of schools becoming more autonomous academies, the development of Teaching Schools and a Studio School, changes to school funding regimes and some responsibilities shifting from the Authority to schools.  However, the demands placed upon the Children’s Service in its Education role remain significant including increasing pressure from Ofsted that the Local Authority  challenges Academies in relation to pupil progression and achievement, attendance and exclusion;

·  Changes in Ofsted and other relevant inspection regimes, it is acknowledged that the new inspection framework which came into operation on 1 November has “raised the bar” in relation to Local Authority performance and it is clear that the Government intends to use this framework to drive up standards and performance whilst financial resources are constrained.

Structural Changes

• Key efficiency savings including achievement of £200K management savings;

• Development of in internal commissioner/provider discipline, enabling more integrated approaches to commissioning services across children’s, adults’, public health and health services through our Joint Working Framework;

• Exploring opportunities for shared service approaches to school improvement with North Somerset

Risks & Opportunities

·  The DFE are intending to introduce a National Funding Formula (NFF) which will alter the funding allocations of all schools on a national basis. The results of the new funding formula may provide additional or reduced resources to schools and academies in Bath and North East Somerset. The introduction of the NFF will be consulted on by the DFE in January 2014 and early indications suggest that the results of any funding changes may be positive for schools in Bath and North East Somerset. However, it is likely that whilst there may be an overall gain from redistribution towards Bath and North East Somerset as a whole there may be individual schools that see a reduction.

The Chair invited Councillor Vic Pritchard to address the Panel. He said that following the discussion held at the Wellbeing Panel he was of the opinion efficiency savings had almost been exhausted and that cuts to services were now more apparent. He added that this was a criticism of the administration and not the officers and asked the Cabinet Member for Resources to re-configure the budget to aid the vulnerable and the young.

The Chair asked for members of the Panel to highlight any concerns they had to the Cabinet Member.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she was concerned by the removal of £65,000 from the School Improvement and Achievement Services.

She also stated she was concerned by the following lines in the Plan:

·  Removal of £30,000 from the Children Missing Education Service as this would lead to little preventative work on behalf of schools.

·  Removal of £60,000 from the Schools Capital and Reorganisation Team.

·  Removal of £175,000 as part of a reduction in commissioned services.

·  Withdrawal of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

The Cabinet Member will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions.

The Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children & Youth, Councillor Dine Romero addressed the Panel. She said that a lot of her work had been covered in the previous agenda items and simply wished to notify the Panel of a couple of events that she had attended recently.

She said she was pleased to have been invited to the St Andrew's C of E Primary School music event at Bath Abbey and the launch of ‘Managing Risk in Play’.

The Chair thanked her for attendance and contribution to the meeting on behalf of the Panel.

The Panel will receive a verbal update on this item from the People and Communities Strategic Director.

The Deputy Director for Children and Young People – Strategy and Commissioning delivered a briefing on behalf of the People and Communities Strategic Director.

He informed the Panel that the Service would be taking part in a Peer Challenge in March 2014 in relation to Assessment Skills.

He said that he was pleased with another good year of schools performance in exams.

He wished to report that the current budget was on target to be met.

He wanted to inform the Panel that the legislative changes referred to in the Medium Term Plan report will provide a large workload pressure to staff.

The Chair thanked him for the briefing.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel.

The Chair introduced this item to the Panel. She reminded them that they had earlier in the meeting asked for a report on the progress of the response to the Cabinet Decision relating to Children’s Centres to be given to the January meeting.

Chris Batten asked for the matter of the Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) reform to be placed upon the future items list of the Panel so that they could keep it in mind as work progressed through the next year.

The Panel agreed with these proposals.