Agenda and minutes

Venue: Kaposvar Room - Guildhall, Bath. View directions

Contact: Mark Durnford  01225 394458

Items
No. Item

14.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

15.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 6.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

 

16.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Minutes:

Councillors Lisa Brett and Karen Warrington had sent their apologies to the Panel. Councillor Tim Ball was present as substitute for Councillor Brett for the duration of the meeting.

 

In the absence of Councillor Brett, the Vice-Chair, Councillor Matt Cochrane took the role of Chairman.

17.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

Minutes:

There were none.

18.

TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Minutes:

The Chairman wished to congratulate Ashley Ayre on his appointment to Chief Executive of the Council and to thank him for all his hard work in his role as the People & Communities Strategic Director.

19.

ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC OR COUNCILLORS - TO RECEIVE DEPUTATIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS OR QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS MEETING

At the time of publication no notifications had been received.

 

Minutes:

Susan Charles, WWISE Network made a statement to the Panel on the subject of Warm Water Swimming Pools. A copy of the statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

 

She asked were members of the Panel aware that the plans for the remodelling of the Bath & also Keynsham Leisure Centres do not address the need for a warm water pool suitable for disabled children and young people living with long term conditions so they can go swimming for leisure & recreation as well as to maintain their health & fitness like their able bodied peers?

 

She said that some members of the current Panel may remember we came before you 2 years ago when a new contract for the management of the B&NES leisure facilities was being negotiated as this provided a window of opportunity to ensure such a facility was included in the contract. She added that there was enormous support for the concept of a warm water pool from this Panel, as well as a number of other committees we talked to at the time.

 

She said that a statement from the Council was non-committal although it did say that “the Council & the CCG will be working closely to ensure that the new leisure contract provides the best possible service for local people and supports them to live healthy lifestyles”.

 

She stated that in February 2014, 13 members of the Network participated in a Focus Group as part of the preparation of the Fit for Life Strategy. She added that in the last 2 years we have met with the consultants & officers who negotiated the contract & also had a very positive discussion with the Local Area Manager for GLL after they were awarded the contract. She said that he was very supportive of it being included in the remodelling plans.

 

She said it was therefore with dismay that we found at the end of  March that the plans for the Bath Leisure Centre do not include such a facility – a second warm water teaching pool is planned but at 60 - 90cm maximum depth, this is not suitable for older children & young people who need a depth similar to adults.

 

She said that they feel the Council is failing disabled children & young people living with long term conditions by not ensuring their needs are being taken into account in the design of the remodelled Leisure Centre and we ask the Panel to make representation that the design as it is proposed is given further consideration by both the Council & GLL.

 

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if they were aware of a warm water pool in Midsomer Norton.

 

Pamela Galloway, WWISE Network replied that they were and that it is situated in a day centre that is not open to the public. She added that in her opinion it required some degree of refurbishment.

 

Councillor Sally Davis asked where the nearest pool that they could use was.

 

Pamela Galloway replied that there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

MINUTES - 17th May 2016 pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Minutes:

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chairman.

21.

Primary Parliament Feedback

The Panel will receive a presentation regarding this item.

Minutes:

The Strategic Commissioning Officer gave a presentation to the Panel relating to this item, a summary is set out below and attached to the minutes as an appendix. A copy will also be available on the Panel’s Minute Book.

 

Event

 

  The event was organised by B&NES staff, and external facilitators in collaboration with St Keyna Primary School’s e-team.

  There were 98 children in attendance from 29 different Primary Schools, including two special schools.

  Key Note Speakers were Jasmin Miller, the Deputy Member of the Youth Parliament, Welton Primary School e-cadet team and St Keyna Primary School who showed their short film which took us down ‘E-Quality Street’.

 

Workshops

 

KS1 Workshop: How can your school help celebrate what makes you proud to be you? -  led by Alice McColl and Becky Proctor

 

  The KS1 pupils worked really hard in the morning on their theme ‘Proud to be Me’

 

KS2 Workshop A: ‘How can the school help you look after your whole self’ - led by Judy Allies and Kate Murphy

 

  Through role play and a rap tune this group gave suggestions of ways we can support each other.

  What adults in school can do to help

  What children can do to help each other

  What children can do to help themselves

 

KS2 Workshop B: Free 2 B Me - led by Adrienne Hughes and Megan Morris

 

  This workshop was buzzing with ideas.

  1. Right to be included

  2. Right not to be bullied

  3. How it feels to be noticed and not noticed.

  4. Bee Safe

  5. Right to be treated equally

 

KS2 Workshop C: Inside/Out - led by Tania Orgill - Playwood Forest School

 

  This group explored the differences between indoor and outdoor environments and what impact each has on their learning and feelings of wellbeing.

  They showed collages they had made in an indoor setting using given resources and collages they had made outdoors using natural found objects, plants, flowers and grasses.

  The group gave insightful comments about how different they felt when given choices about what they were asked to do.

 

During the workshops there was lots of discussion and exploration of the importance of Mental health and Wellbeing.

 

Next Steps

 

  Report to be circulated to Schools Forum and will be circulated to all headteachers with accompanying information on how to set up e-teams within schools.

  Primary Parliament June 2017

 

Councillor Sally Davis commented that this year’s event was a great success, but holding the event at Somerdale Conference Centre did incur a significant cost.  She suggested to the Panel that extra funding toward next year’s Parliaments should be made available.

 

The Chairman thanked the Strategic Commissioning Officer for her presentation on behalf of the Panel.

22.

Young People Parliament Feedback pdf icon PDF 139 KB

This report provides the Panel with feedback of the B&NES Young Parliament that took place at Broadlands Academy on Thursday February 11th 2016.

Minutes:

Jake Bishop-Ponte, Member of Youth Parliament for B&NES introduced this item. He explained that the event took place at Broadlands Academy on Thursday February 11th 2016 and was attended by over 80 young people from 11 different secondary schools, one special school and from a range of settings including Project 28, the CAMHS Young People’s Participation Group, the Youth Forum, Off the Record and SPACE (LGBT Group). He added that the prospective candidates for the B&NES Member of Youth Parliament were also in attendance.

 

He said that there were 20 accompanying staff and workshop facilitators and 15 guests, including the Chair of the Council, Cllr Ian Gilchrist. He added that staff and students of Broadlands and the Local Authority should be praised for the way the event was held in such a very welcoming environment.

 

Workshops

 

There were 4 workshops, co-facilitated by Broadlands students and adults from the Local Authority, Public Health, Off the Record and CAMHS.

 

Social media and its impact on mental health

 

What to do if you are a victim of online abuse/harassment?

 

·  Depending on the situation, not responding might be an appropriate course of action

·  Speak to someone – friend or adult (teacher, parent or police) depending on the circumstances

 

What actions we can take as an individual / group / school to improve things?

 

·  Raise awareness of what tools and courses of actions are available to everyone

·  Set up a Cyber Mentoring scheme as they have done in Norton Hill

 

Sexual Health & Social Media

 

One group also discussed the impact that sex can have on mental health and that the following should be covered in PSHE. Anxieties around:-

 

·  Sexually transmitted infections

·  Peer pressure / anxiety about having sex , (feeling their friends have done it and they don’t want to feel left out)

·  Issues of diversity (ensuring that LGBT issues are covered in Sex and Relationships Education)

 

Keeping mentally healthy and reducing stigma

 

This group decided on the following recommendations:

 

·  All schools (staff and students) to sign up to a pledge which covers confidentiality (nothing will be shared unless someone is at risk of significant harm)

·  Slurs of any type are not acceptable - students and staff will challenge this when they occur - there will be consequences for not following this.

·  Diversity will be actively celebrated and each young person’s individual needs catered for. 

 

Ways to increase self esteem

 

This group wanted schools to promote kindness and compassion both to fellow students and towards themselves as they believe this leads to better mental health and improved self-esteem.  They would like these issues to be included within PSHE but would also like students to be involved in deciding how their school can promote kindness and compassion. They discussed and identified a range of ways to promote kindness towards themselves and others, such as:-

 

·  Random acts of kindness

·  Smiling at people

·  Having a happiness book for people to write things to make them happy

·  Doing activities which make you / your friends happy

 

Where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Children's Mental Health pdf icon PDF 495 KB

This report provides an update on the mental health services for children and young people in Bath and North East Somerset, an update on commissioning and strategic progress and a request for further support from the Local Authority to continue to prioritize mental health services for children and young people in Bath and North East Somerset.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Becky Proctor, CAMHS Participation Group addressed the Panel. She explained that she had been involved in the group for eight years and had worked on website development and resources for schools.

 

She informed the Panel that she had worked on topics such as reducing stigma, supporting friends, self-care and in and out of school support. She added that scenario packs and comics have been produced in relation to these topics. She said that all of the resources have been really well received.

 

Councillor Peter Turner asked if she had seen an increase in the need of such resources since her involvement in the group.

 

Becky replied that she felt that there were huge pressures young people these days and that they were more aware of the issue as a whole.

 

The PSHE & Drug Education Co-ordinator added that the SHEU survey showed that the main causes of stress were exams and social media (body image).

 

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that the resources that have been produced are fantastic.

 

The PSHE & Drug Education Co-ordinator said that they were a brilliant piece of work and used throughout schools. She added that they were also available online.

 

Councillor Tim Ball commented that there is a lack of support and literature for ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and children with mental health issues were not always comfortable with expressing their ideas. He added that the diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) can take up to twelve months

 

Becky Proctor replied that when making the resources a wide range of people were consulted. She added that work was currently being done on different aspects of mental health.

 

Jake Bishop-Ponte added that the resources are also seen as a way of identifying children who might need help.

 

The Senior Commissioning Manager for Specialist Services added that there are 2 services that generally consider diagnoses - Community Paediatricians and the CAMHS service. The concerns raised around ADHD literature were acknowledged. She also recommended visiting the Young Minds website (http://www.youngminds.org.uk/) for further information.

 

The Senior Commissioning Manager for Specialist Services introduced the report to the Panel. She explained that in August 2015 NHS England announced additional funding and guidance to implement the Future in Mind report’s recommendations to improve CAMHS services. She said that to “draw down” these funds, each CCG was required to submit an agreed CAMHS Transformation Plan by October 2015. 

 

She stated that from April 2015 a number of developments to support the transformation plan began, including:

 

Pilot - Extended CAMHS support: for > 18 y/o’s who were receiving CAMHS interventions when they turned 18 and, although they are particularly vulnerable; do not meet the referral criteria for adult mental health services.  This cohort will include, but is not restricted to, Care Leavers and will provide intensive emotional support.

 

Pilot - School Based Counselling:  Independent counsellors have been commissioned to provide individual ‘drop in’ advice sessions and formal counselling sessions at seven secondary schools from September. 

 

Pilot -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Childhood Obesity pdf icon PDF 81 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Assistant Director for Health Improvement introduced this item to the Panel. She stated that significant action is required to prevent obesity at a population level to avoid creating “obesity promoting” environments as well as improving healthy eating and physical activity in individuals.

 

She informed them that obesity has been rising rapidly in children in England over the past 20 years with the proportion of children classified as obese nearly doubling for children aged 4- 5 years and increasing more than threefold for 10 -11 year olds.

 

She explained that the Shaping Up! Healthy Weight Strategy for B&NES describes our partnership approach to promote healthy weight and tackle the rise in obesity. She said that the strategy provides an overview of the current issues relating to healthy weight and focusses on what will achieve sustainable change. She added that eating well and being physically active go hand in hand so this strategy should be read together with the B&NES Fit for Life physical activity strategy and the Local Food strategy.

 

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what the feedback has been to the strategy.

 

The Assistant Director for Health Improvement replied that there was an annual review which could be circulated to the Panel. She highlighted some recent achievements.

 

·  UNICEF accredited Breastfeeding Service

·  Sustainable Food – Bronze Award

·  Director of Public Health Award (Physical / Food / Mental Health)

 

She added that the ‘Move a Mile’ initiative was to be introduced in schools to encourage further physical activity.

 

Councillor Alison Millar commented that process seems quite bureaucratic and asked does it give officers enough time to deliver the strategy.

 

The Assistant Director for Health Improvement replied it is a complicated issue that encompasses many partners. She added that with the three strategies in place it should be easier to implement their plans.

 

Councillor Tim Ball asked about the effects on children should they become aware of this matter through being assessed via the National Child measurement programme. He called for care to be taken on this matter and for school staff to be trained appropriately.

 

The Assistant Director for Health Improvement replied that there is an opportunity for parents to engage with school nurses following their receipt of a results letter. She said it is at the discretion of the parents as to whether they discuss it with their children.

 

Councillor Ball replied that in some households the children may be able to read better than their parents and asked for this approach to be individually assessed.

 

Chris Batten asked if the reduction of the Key Stage 1 grant for school meals would have an effect on this issue.

 

The Assistant Director for Health Improvement replied that she was not aware of this and would have to research the matter.

 

The Panel RESOLVED to:

 

·  Note the Shaping Up!  Healthy Weight Strategy and its relevance to Children and Young People’s health.

·  Note that while B&NES compares reasonably well for children’s obesity rates in comparison with similar areas we still have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Children's Health (General) pdf icon PDF 82 KB

This report introduces and identifies some highlights from three sources of recent and local information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Deputy Director of Public Health introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that no indicator in relation to children's health and wellbeing for B&NES was significantly worse than the average for England and the majority were better than average.

 

He highlighted some of the positive trends from the recent SHEU survey for Secondary pupils.

 

·  More eating fruit and vegetables

·  More pupils reporting they are LGB or questioning

·  Fewer drinking alcohol & smoking

·  More doing physical activity after school

·  Higher aspiration (to go to University)

 

He also spoke of some areas of development.

 

·  Having lunch

·  Viewing upsetting images on-line

·  Enjoyment of lessons

·  Thinking school doesn’t take bullying seriously (22%)

·  Self-harm (girls)

 

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what the financial implications are of maintaining adequate services such as health visiting and school nursing now that the financial responsibility for these services rests with the Council and are any cuts planned.

 

The Assistant Director of Health Improvement replied that a small reduction in numbers, 500 families, had led to a funding decrease in 2016/17. She added that through the Your Care, Your Way project they were looking to commission a 0 -19 Public Health nursing service. She said that the majority of the health visiting service were mandatory functions and that there was currently no intention to reduce the service.

 

The Panel RESOLVED to:

 

·  Note the contents of these profiles and the presentation on child health related behaviours survey.

·  Note that while children and young people in B&NES are generally healthy in comparison to their peers across the county, they nevertheless face many challenges to both their physical and mental health particularly in relation to adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyles and behaviours and in dealing with the stresses that they face at school and at home.

·  Endorse the importance of maintaining adequate services, including universal services such as health visiting and school nursing, through this period of intense pressure on local government finances.

26.

Care Act - Implications for Children pdf icon PDF 132 KB

This report sets out to inform the Panel about the Care Act 2014 and the interface and implications for children and young people.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how can we improve our information systems for more reliable data on who our young carers are, so that we can carry out their assessments.

 

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy & Commissioning replied that information such as this should be picked up through an Education, Health & Care Plan.

 

Councillor Tim Ball commented that this was a complex matter and said that the support and counselling that B&NES gives in this respect is very good.

 

Councillor Liz Hardman said that for people over the age of 18 the Act introduces means testing and charging for services, which carers and young people need to be aware of. She asked if the charging policy had an impact on take up of services.

 

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy & Commissioning replied that he believed that a system such as this had always been in place.

 

The Panel RESOLVED to note the content of the report.

27.

Cabinet Member Update

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

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Michael Evans addressed the Panel. He wished to add to comments made earlier in the meeting his appreciation of all the work that Ashley Ayre has done within his role as the People & Communities Strategic Director.

 

His update included the following subjects.

 

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children

 

The government is dispersing these children across the country to relieve Local Authorities in the South East, particularly Kent. B&NES will be required to accept another 20 in addition to the 3 we already have. These will be Looked After Children who will be fostered or in supported lodgings.

 

Adoption West

 

This co-operation with regional local authorities is going ahead and is a success story, offering better provision at potentially lower cost.

 

Regional Devolution

 

If implemented, this will see the regional authority take on responsibility for 16-19 provision, with the opportunity to ensure that the needs of local employers and young people are fulfilled.

 

Children’s Centres/ Children’s Services

 

I would like to give the Panel early warning that the restructured service which has completed its first year is suffering significant cost pressures. ‘Traded Activities’ such as ‘Play Buds’ and baby massage have not brought in as much income as was hoped and neither has the policy of renting rooms in Children’s Centres. A plan is being developed to prevent or limit a predicted short fall in income of between £200 and £300k in 2016/17. The Panel will receive a full report in due course.

 

Bath Community Academy

 

The former Culverhay school has been found ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted. Pupils were found to have underperformed significantly over time. It is a matter of huge regret that any of our children’s life chances are reduced from what they might have been by less than good school provision.

 

Home to School Transport

 

The arrangements for SEND students to get to school have been identified as an area for potential savings without reducing the level of service, and a travel advisor post is to be created to lead in improving the arrangements, probably on a two-year contract.

 

SAT Results

 

Very recently published, these results are the first under the new arrangements, so not comparable with previous performance.  They show cause for concern, however, at both national and local level, and reflection will be needed on their implications.

 

Mentoring Plus AGM

 

An organisation which I admire and hope to see continuing its work and hopefully expanding into a role across the West of England if it wins a commission from the government’s Careers and Enterprise Company.

 

South West England Ofsted Conference

 

We received an inspiring presentation by Mike Gorman, head of our virtual school, and Mark Everett head of Writhlington School on attachment awareness in schools.

 

End of year assembly at Bath Studio School

 

This gave me and the Leader of the Council the chance to appreciate the students’ impressive individual progress and achievements.

 

Move a Mile

 

The Move a Mile initiative for primary schools by the department of Public Health was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

People and Communities Strategic Director's Briefing

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

Minutes:

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy & Commissioning gave a briefing to the Panel on behalf of the People & Communities Strategic Director.

 

He said that the Panel would receive a report to their September meeting regarding Multi Academy Trusts. He added that officers have been receiving external support relating to guidance and governance models and the analysis work previously outlined by the Panel.

 

The Head of Education Improvement was present and gave the Panel some early data relating to SATs under the new assessment arrangements. She said that 54% of KS2 pupils had achieved the expected standard which was above the national standard of 53%. At KS1 proportions achieving the expected standard are likely to be broadly the same as the national data once this is available.

 

She said that 69% of Early Years pupils achieved their expected standard compared to 69% nationally and that 80% had achieved the expected standard in Phonics compared to 81% nationally.

 

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how much progress has been made regarding the setting up of a Multi Academy Trust by B&NES.

 

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy & Commissioning replied that a proposed model was being worked on.

 

Councillor Hardman asked if all primary schools were aware of this.

 

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy & Commissioning replied that they were.

 

The Chairman thanked him for his briefing on behalf of the Panel.

29.

Panel Workplan pdf icon PDF 112 KB

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel. Any suggestions for further items or amendments to the current programme will be logged and scheduled in consultation with the Panel’s Chair and supporting officers.

 

Minutes:

The Panel approved the workplan as printed.