Agenda item

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

Councillor Rob Appleyard, Cabinet Member for Adult Services addressed the Panel and said that he was happy to take questions on the submission he had provided to them.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that the Community Resource Centres and Extra Care Services had transferred on 1 October 2020 from Sirona to the Council and that the focus is now on reviewing staff salaries and terms and conditions.  She asked if it was anticipated that there will be any job losses.

Councillor Appleyard replied that he was not aware that there were to be any job losses and said that he felt that the move enhances the position of the staff.

Kevin Burnett asked how people were identified to the Community Wellbeing Hub to receive emergency food parcels

Councillor Appleyard replied that it was a very complicated piece of work and that the Council were supplied with a list of residents who were considered to be vulnerable. He added that nearly 12,000 calls to the Hub had been received since last March and that everyone associated with its work should be immensely proud.

Councillor Jess David asked if the emergency food parcels would be a continuing service that could be provided.

Councillor Appleyard replied that if requests are received we will do all we can to help and that it was ongoing as far as he was concerned.

The Chair asked how this was to be funded.

Councillor Appleyard replied that it would be funded through the Hub and supplies from food banks which are currently well stocked by the people of B&NES.

He said that he was immensely grateful to the work and support of Lesley Hutchinson, Director of Adult Social Care, Complex and Specialist Commissioning who was to leave the Council at the end of the week. He added that he would like to welcome Alison Elliott who will take over the role on an interim basis.

Councillor Kevin Guy, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services addressed the Panel and said that he echoed the comments made by Councillor Appleyard and was happy to take questions on the submission he had provided to them.

Councillor Paul May commented that he supported the work identified with regard to the former Culverhay site to explore how post 16 vocational provision can be accommodated. He stated that he would like consideration to be given to the possibility of a separate Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel for Children’s Services to be setup.

Councillor Guy replied that he would prefer it if a separate Panel could be arranged in the future.

Councillor Alison Born commented that she was also pleased to see the ongoing work in relation to Culverhay and asked if it was likely to return to be used as a school.

Councillor Guy replied that there were no plans for that, but he was pleased with the work surrounding the Alternative Learning Provision for children and young people in B&NES who have been excluded from school or are at risk of being excluded from school.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that 77 pupils had not been offered a place at any of their preferred Secondary Schools and have instead been offered a place at their next nearest school with a place available, which is known as a referral.  She asked if the Panel could have a breakdown of these pupils and whether they are they from any particular primary schools or do they relate to any particular secondary schools. She also asked if most applicants were using all of their preferences or are those not being offered a preferred school choosing to identify a very limited number of schools.

Councillor Guy replied that the Admissions team do a great job to enable the majority of pupils to attend a school of their choice. He said that the families of pupils who have not received a place at their preferred school should consider making an appeal and that there is a recognised process for this to take place. He added that he would seek a response for the Panel on the figures requested.

Councillor Hardman asked what information the Council has about the provision of Free School Meals during the Easter holidays. 

Councillor Guy replied that the Covid-19 Winter Grant had almost ran out and that they were seeking Government support for Free School Meals over Easter.

The Director of Education, Inclusion and Children’s Safeguarding added that he had discussed the matter with Education Business Manager and that they think that any surplus funds can be rolled into April.

Councillor Hardman commented that a recent report in the Guardian newspaper found that one in five UK schools has set up a foodbank and many more are giving ad hoc emergency food support to pupils and their families.  She said that clearly this is unsustainable and a mark of the extreme poverty many families are facing.  She asked if it was known whether any schools in B&NES are offering this type of provision.

The Director of Education, Inclusion and Children’s Safeguarding replied that he was not aware that any schools within B&NES had set up a Food Bank directly. He added that schools do support families on this issue and do signpost them to other agencies.

Kevin Burnett asked if they were aware of a potential issue relating to consent of flu vaccinations administered in schools by Virgin Care.

The Director of Education, Inclusion and Children’s Safeguarding replied that he had followed up this issue with Virgin Care.

Councillor Paul May asked if any process was taking place to assure that our young people get fair exam results this year. He added that he would welcome a report on inclusion / attainment for the Panel.

The Director of Education, Inclusion and Children’s Safeguarding replied that teachers would be deciding directly on exam results this year following an announcement by the Government. He added that they were awaiting a decision from the DfE, but would be surprised if this year there was not a request for data to be collected.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Members for their updates on behalf of the Panel.