Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and those present introduced themselves.

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 5.

The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

There were none.

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 4.4 Appendix 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 Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson addressed the Panel. A copy of her statement can be found as an online attachment to these minutes and a summary is set out below.

“I thought of calling this speech, ‘ The view from the wheelchair’, because although there are a number of matters of concern to me in your papers, it is the attitude which underlies the questions of disabled access and disability rights in a recent planning application which need to be addressed. Consent was given for a block of 77 ‘co-living’ studio flats, designed for ‘young professionals’. There would be 77 bicycle stands, but only five car-parking spaces, one reserved for disabled people. The assumption would seem to be that those with mobility problems are not young professionals. Three of the units could be adapted for wheelchair users, we were told. Not all the five floors had community kitchens, either, necessitating carrying meals up and down the stairs….”

“There are areas of the Council’s estate where either a wheelchair cannot move, or there is no evacuation provision for the disabled in the event of fire. This even applies to the offices in Keynsham, a modern building.”

“The problem is that rights for the disabled are ‘tacked on’ at the end of reports, or, as in the case of the planning application, not considered at all.  So, the report on school exclusions does not tell us how many of those excluded have a disability, such as severe dyslexia, or autism. We do not know how many girls were pregnant, but more worrying, given the national statistics, we are not told how many children were withdrawn from school by their parents because their needs were not addressed.”

The Chair initially responded by suggesting that Councillor Jackson should also attend and address the Climate Emergency & Sustainability Panel as Housing was within their remit.

Councillor Jackson asked if Councillor Wright had received responses to her questions from a previous meeting regarding EHCPs.

Councillor Wright replied that she had and had been informed that 75% are not issued within the statutory timescale of 20 weeks. She asked Councillor Jackson if she was aware of any legal action against the Council on this matter.

Councillor Jackson replied that she was not aware of any such action.

The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, thanked Councillor Jackson for her statement.

Kevin Burnett offered the following observations on the minutes for 9th September 2024.

·  He asked to be sent the presentation slides from the Community Summit held earlier in the year.

·  Page 7 – He asked for clarity regarding the admissions criteria for the forthcoming Special School on the former Charlton House site.

·  Page 12 – Could the Panel yet be given any feedback following the recent CQC inspection of Adult Social Care.

·  Page 15 – The Panel are waiting for an update from the ICB on Winter Pressures.

The Director of Education & Safeguarding replied that he had just emailed the presentation slides directly to him.

Regarding the new Special School admissions criteria, he replied that applications would need to be made to the B&NES Special Educational Needs Team. He added that places would not be able to be ringfenced for children & young people living within B&NES.

Councillor Dave Harding asked if any child or young person would be asked to move to the new Special School if they were currently attending a school outside of B&NES.

The Director of Education & Safeguarding replied that discussions about placements would normally take place as part of the Annual Review process, but stated that no child would be forced to move from their current placement.

Councillor Joanna Wright asked what more could be done to establish the number of eligible children entitled to Free School Meals within B&NES.

The Director of Education & Safeguarding replied that he would raise the matter with colleagues within the Welfare department to check on what more can be done.

Councillor Wright said that it should be seen as a priority for children to receive what they deserve and are entitled to. She also stated that the low percentage of EHCP’s issued within the statutory timescale of 20 weeks (25.1%) needed to be addressed.

The Director of Education & Safeguarding replied that he would be happy to discuss the subject of EHCP’s in more detail at a future meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Lesley Mansell referred to page 11 of the minutes and asked if the Panel could be updated with regard to the Community Support Contracts, their next steps, engagement with the sector and a timescale for conclusion. She added that in her view it was important to have this resolved ahead of the next budget setting process.

The Chair replied that a joint presentation was expected at the November meeting of the Panel from the Director of Adult Services and the Director of 3SG.

Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services added that he had attended a meeting with representatives from 3SG and assured the Panel that engagement with the sector was now ongoing. He added that the local voluntary sector is brilliant and that the Council does want to work with them as early intervention in many areas is key.

Councillor Mansell referred to the subject of Free School Meals and asked if research could be carried out to see how other Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

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

Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services addressed the Panel and highlighted the points below from his update report.

Safety Valve Update

As previously advised, the Local Authorities' re-submission into the Government's Safety Valve programme has been on hold while the new government assesses a way forward for Safety Valve local authorities.

We don't yet know what the new Government's policy position will be in this area, but we have been asked to update our plan, tweak it, and resubmit it by the 1st of October. We have now done this, and we await instructions on the next steps.

Culverhay

The project is progressing to deliver the 120 place Special Free School and 55 place Alternative Provision School on the Culverhay site. The Council has committed to deliver a cleared site to the Department of Education and this will include moving the current Alternative Provision at Rush Hill. We have identified Dartmouth Avenue as a suitable site, a project manager has been appointed and architects are about to be appointed.

The next meeting between the Dept of Education Programme Managers for the Free Schools project is due on the 10th of October when we should have an update around the recruitment of their Technical Advisor for the project and progress of their feasibility study.

Charlton House

The deadline for submissions for potential providers to run the school will be the 14th of December and the successful provider should be appointed in February ’25.

A project manager has been appointed, a design team will be appointed week commencing the 14th of October, a public consultation is planned for the end of November to allow local residents and stakeholders view the plans, and the aim is to submit a full planning application by the end of March 2025. The current projected opening time is September 2026, but if possible, we will open sooner.

Ofsted Annual Conversation

Ofsted have confirmed that they will retain an annual conversation around social care. A Local Authority Self- Assessment will continue to be required.

Ofsted have also advised that they will move to termly conversations with the Local Authority with regards to education.

Corporate Parents

The recent meeting had good member attendance, thank you. Venue and style of the room to be reviewed. He invited Councillor Wright to share her proposal regarding making an application to the National Trust to apply for one of the Sycamore Gap tree saplings from Hadrian’s Wall for Alice Park.

Councillor Wright explained that as part of the Trees of Hope initiative 49 saplings from the Sycamore Gap will be gifted to communities around the country and felt that the Council should apply for one to be planted in Alice Park to establish a physical place that shows that our Looked After Children are cared for and part of our community.

Councillor May said that he and officers fully support the proposal and asked the Panel to add their support to the application.

The Chair agreed that it was a welcome  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Panel will receive an update from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) on current issues.

Laura Ambler, Director of Place for Bath and North East Somerset, BSW ICB addressed the Panel and responded to the following questions.

Councillor Paul Crossley asked if the Stoptober campaign could provide the same challenge towards vaping.

Laura Ambler replied that the ICB has supported the campaign through publicity, its social media channels and press releases and signposted local people to the HCRG Stop Smoking Support and Vaping Advice service.

Kevin Burnett referred to Maternity Services, and in particular, pre- and post-natal support and asked if there were any metrics that could support the good work that is being carried out within this area.

Laura Ambler replied that there should be data available that can be shared with the Panel. She added that in respect of people who had been in receipt of services from Ocean that there was a notable difference in their trauma scores.

Kevin Burnett asked who oversees the BSW Suicide Prevention Strategy from a Place level, in particular from an early intervention / prevention perspective and were schools involved at all.

Laura Ambler replied that she was aware that the Panel were due to discuss the Suicide Prevention Strategy at its next meeting in November. She added that the BSW Suicide Prevention Group have debated the strategy and will formally oversee the actions.

She added that it was key to understand how local actions would be taken forward and who will hold that level of responsibility.

Kevin Burnett referred to the subject of pharmacies and asked if an update could be provided regarding resources and staffing. He also asked if information could be provided on the technology in place that links pharmacies, GPs and other agencies if pharmacies are now to be seen as a place to first attend with health concerns and if this information is fed back to GPs should a member of the public attend multiple pharmacies so that they can assess if that person has a wider health need.

Laura Ambler replied that she would seek to provide further information on this subject through a future update to the Panel.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that having briefly looked at the Ocean website it was a 4 – 6 month waiting period to begin receiving their services. She asked if this could be confirmed or updated.

Laura Ambler replied that she would get further clarification on that for the Panel. She added that a need for treatment would be assessed prior to support being provided.

Councillor Hardman asked if there remains a shortage of midwives within the area and how well are they supported in their roles.

Laura Ambler replied that they are looking at workforce planning across the system to encourage and secure more resources for this work area. She said that she would ask the Workforce Lead to respond to this matter further.

Councillor Hardman referred to Suicide Prevention and asked if areas of deprivation are a factor that are considered in this work.

Laura Ambler replied that she believed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

The B&NES Community Safety & Safeguarding Partnership (BCSSP) is introducing its Annual Report for 2023-2024, alongside its priorities to be actioned in the Strategic Plan 2024-2027.

The Director of Children’s Services & Education introduced the report to the Panel and highlighted the following areas from it.

Multi-agency Learning & Practice Development

·  2 serious incident notifications have been received and progressed to Rapid Reviews.

·  1 Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) has been completed jointly with South Gloucestershire.

·  4 SAR reports have been concluded and a learning event held in relation to self-neglect.

·  No Domestic Homicide Reviews have been received.

What has happened as a result of reviews?

·  BSW wide under 1’s work and the development of new multi-agency policy and procedure.

·  Implementation of the ICON (responding to infant crying) programme across BSW. 

·  A self-neglect and mental capacity learning event.

·  Improving how we capture and reflect the voice of the child/adult/parent/carer.

·  A business case submitted to the executive board to implement change in how we manage self-neglect cases.

Multi-agency Training & Workforce Development

·  The appointment of a BCSSP trainer has mitigated the need to use external trainers as frequently, which has enabled greater focus on local practice issues.

·  76 training sessions held.

·  27 different training topics covered.

Commitments 2024-2025

·  Community Safety Priorities: Priority 1: To develop the strategic oversight and scrutiny of the CSP arrangements.

·  Priority 2: We will further develop our work with partners to prevent people from becoming involved in and reduce instances of serious violence.

·  Safeguarding Children Priorities: Priority 1: We will strengthen the role of education in the partnership.

·  Priority 2: Ensure a child-centred approach with a whole family focus.

·  Safeguarding Adults Priorities: Priority 1: Improve understanding of and support professionals to work with those individuals who self-neglect.

·  Priority 2: We will create confidence in practitioners in the application of the Mental Capacity Act and understanding of the interplay with the Mental health Act.

·  Overarching Priorities: Priority 1: Have policies and procedures that are current and in line with best practice.

·  Priority 2: We will create confidence in practitioners to be professionally curious and improve this practice.

Kevin Burnett commented that it would be useful to understand the exact measures / success criteria BCSSP are using to judge themselves as no specific targets have been given.

Kevin Burnett referred to further areas within the report, including Section 11 Audits, Safeguarding Adult Audits, training and risks and asked multiple questions.

The Director of Children’s Services & Education replied that she would report back to the Partnership that a lack of year-on-year benchmarking data within the report made it difficult to analyse and assess its performance.

She added that the targets for the Partnership are set nationally and that generally there was good engagement from schools in relation to Section 11 Audits. She asked if the questions could be forwarded to her in writing to allow for responses to be drafted.

Kevin Burnett replied that he would circulate his questions to her. He added that he was concerned over the number of missing children within Avon & Somerset, particularly in B&NES.

The Director of Children’s Services & Education replied that they had recently reviewed the Missing Children protocol and who undertakes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

This report provides the Panel with an overview of attendance and exclusions key trends across 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.

The Head of the Virtual School addressed the Panel and highlighted the following areas from the report.

She said that it was very timely for her to attend the meeting today as in August the Government issued their ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ statutory guidance and said that it was everyone’s responsibility to improve school attendance.

She added that they have worked very closely with the DfE on this issue and that the Council has a very clear Strategic Attendance Plan and felt that this was beginning to show in some of the figures recorded.

She stated that a particular focus at the present time was on our vulnerable pupils, children in need, children looked after and those within child protection in terms of persistent and severe absence.

She explained that this was a target that sits across the whole of Children’s Services and within the Children & Young People’s Plan. She added that a joint working party was in place and stated that clear targets need to be set and challenged within any plans for our children and young people.

She said that another area of concern was around the attendance of those pupils that are eligible for Free School Meals as too many are recorded as absent (40%) and missing around 10% of their schooling. She added that meetings are planned to discuss how can this attendance gap be improved.

On the issue of permanent exclusions she stated that there had been a rise in 2022/23, but a reduction was now being seen in 2024. She added that historically ethnicity had been an issue, but currently these figures were low.

She informed the Panel that last year two Education Inclusion Co-ordinators had been appointed to provide advice to our schools regarding children that were at risk of permanent exclusion. She added that they had also introduced six Inclusion Panels that meet every 25 days.

She stated that her aim, over the next 2-3 years, was to have no children with a Child Protection Plan to be permanently excluded.

She said that number of suspensions had increased over the past three years, but that this was below the now national average. She added in relation to both vulnerable and Looked After Children the figures were also below the national and regional average. She said that a disproportionality remains in terms of ethnicity and that this is to be addressed through the work of the Race Charter.

Councillor David Harding asked if the most common reason for persistent absence over the past four years was infection.

The Head of the Virtual School replied that she would need to check the data to be able to provide an answer.

Councillor Harding asked why B&NES was worse than other Local Authorities with regard to the attendance of pupils in receipt of Free School Meals.

The Head of the Virtual School replied that this was an issue that she would be raising with her colleagues at meetings planned to take place later  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

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.

The Chair introduced the workplan to the Panel and the following subjects were

noted as potential future items of discussion.

·  Home Education / Hospital Education etc.

·  Social Prescribing

·  Budget for 2025/26

The Chair announced that their next meeting on 11^th November would be subject to a change in start time and was now scheduled to begin at 12.15pm.