Agenda and minutes

Venue: Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BQ. View directions

Contact: Salar Rida 020 8359 7113 Email: Salar.Rida@Barnet.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes of the Last Meeting pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee, Councillor David Longstaff opened the meeting.

 

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12th September be agreed as a correct record.  

2.

Absence of Members

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from:

 

-       Councillor Reuben Thompstone, who was substituted by Councillor Saira Don, and

-       Councillor Nagus Narenthira who was substituted by Councillor Kathy Levine.

3.

Declarations of Members Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Minutes:

The following declarations were made at the meeting:

 

Councillor

Agenda Item(s)

Declaration

David Longstaff

9

Non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Governor of Foulds School

Val Duschinsky

9

Non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Trustee of Copthall School

Pauline Coakley Webb

9

Non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being Chair of Governors of Danegrove School

Kathy Levine

9

Non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Governor of Monkfirth Primary School

Anne Hutton

9

Non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Governor of Friern Barnet School

Anne Clarke

9

Non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Governor of All Saints Primary School

 

4.

Report of the Monitoring Officer (if any)

Minutes:

None.

5.

Public Questions and Comments (if any) pdf icon PDF 36 KB

Minutes:

The responses to the Public Questions were published and tabled at the meeting. There were no further supplementary questions.

6.

Members' Items (if any)

Minutes:

There were none.

7.

Petition for debate pdf icon PDF 165 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Mr Graham Kidd who presented the Petition on behalf of the lead petitioner. The Committee noted the points raised, particularly in respect of the funding pressures. In response, the Strategic Director for Children and Young People, Mr Chris Munday referred to the data set out within the Business Planning report.  

 

The Chairman noted the petition and informed the Committee that a report on School Funding is scheduled to come to this Committee in January.

 

The Chairman therefore moved a motion which was seconded and agreed:

That the Committee note the petition and that the issue will be presented to the Committee as part of the School Funding report at its January meeting.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the petition and that the issue be presented to the Committee as part of the School Funding report at its January meeting.

 

Votes were declared as follows:

For

7

Against

0

Abstentions

4

 

8.

Update report on the progress of Barnet Children's Services Improvement Action Plan and other CE&S Committee Priorities, including Quarterly Performance Report updates for Q2 2018-19 pdf icon PDF 292 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the report which was presented by Mr Munday.

 

In response to a query on improvements to services, Mr Munday noted that the service has made improvements at the right pace and that the organisation has a much better and rigorous view on what good looks like. Furthermore, the Committee noted the importance of consistency in monitoring and tracking effective improvements across the system.

 

The Committee asked what changes and improvements have been made in respect of IT systems. Mr Munday noted that systems continue to be monitored for optimum use and to treat any glitches in the system as soon as possible. The Committee heard about the introduction of the mobile tablet device and other changes which enable staff to use IT technology more creatively and effectively.

 

Following a request for an update on staffing, the Committee heard about the issues facing local authorities. It was noted that as part of staff retention efforts, work has commenced towards grow your own social worker strategy which includes recruitment of high quality students.

 

In terms of a whole-system approach, Officers informed about the increased joined up working and noted that service teams are much better informed about each other’s work. This will also be monitored for consistent improvement going forward.

 

Members queried the progression of the Local Offer - Mr Munday informed the Committee about the consultation process which includes care leavers and the importance of developing the best possible offer.

 

The Committee was informed about the work towards tackling youth crime and gang-related activities as part of a family approach and investigating early triggers and enabling effective intervention.

 

The Committee unanimously RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Committee noted the progress of the Barnet Children's Services Improvement Action Plan as set out in paragraphs 1.9 to 1.45.

2.    That the Committee noted the Self-Assessment and Improvement Plan of the Council’s children’s social care function set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 respectively.

3.    That the Committee noted and scrutinised the performance information provided in Appendix 4.

4.    The Committee reviewed the budget, activity, performance and risk information in relation to Children, Education and Safeguarding.

5.    The Committee noted the update on Barnet’s Local Offer for Care Leavers and delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Children and Young People to approve a final version of the Local Offer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee. The draft Local Offer is attached in Appendix 3.

 

9.

Business Planning 2019-2024 pdf icon PDF 247 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mr Munday noted the challenge of the financial position faced by the Council and emphasised the need to prioritise the improvement in children’s social care and the protection of vulnerable children in setting the budget for 2019/20 onwards.

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Ben Thomas, Strategic Lead for Children and Young People and Mr Ian Harrison, Education and Skills Director who joined the meeting.

 

Mr Harrison referred to the decision of the School Forum and noted that the Schools Forum did not support either proposal 1 or proposal 3 at its meeting on 27th November, the Committee is therefore asked to delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Children and Young People to submit an application to the Secretary of State for a decision, following discussion with the Chairman.

 

Following a request from the Chairman, Mr Munday informed the Committee about the potential consequences of the above decision which includes potential direct cuts to areas such as SEN funding, likely in the area of top ups and direct funding provision in schools.

 

The Committee expressed concerns about the need for additional funding and the importance of quality of education in light of the potential risks.

 

Councillor Coakley Webb moved a motion which was seconded and agreed:

That the Chairman of the Committee writes to all three Barnet MPs with a copy of the Director’s letter calling on them to support the request for additional funding.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Committee considered the Corporate Plan (Appendix A) and the Corporate Plan priorities in Appendix B for referral to Policy and Resources Committee before adoption by Full Council.

2.    That the Committee considered the MTFS proposals that relate to the committee as set out in Appendix C after having considered the initial equalities impacts and refer their comments to Policy and Resources Committee for eventual decision by Full Council.

3.    That the Committee approved the increases in fees charges listed set out in Table 3 and refer them for noting to Policy and Resources Committee.

4.    That the Committee considered the savings proposals for the next financial year as set out in Appendix C subject to the initial equalities impacts and refer them to Policy and Resources Committee for consultation and eventual decision by Full Council.

5.1  The Schools Forum did not support either proposal 1 or proposal 3, as set out in section 6.8.8 of this report, at its meeting on 27th November, the Committee therefore give delegated authority to the Strategic Director, Children and Young People to submit an application to the Secretary of State for a decision, following discussion with the Chairman of the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee.

 

5.2 That the Chairman of the Committee writes to all three Barnet MPs with a copy of the Director’s letter calling on them to support the request for additional funding.



6.    That the Committee delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Children and Young People to enter negotiations with Cambridge Education to enable delivery of the Early Years Standards  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Proposal to establish Noam Primary School as a Barnet Council maintained voluntary aided school pdf icon PDF 277 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the report and it was RESOLVED that:

 

That the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee considered the proposal by Noam Primary School, an independent faith school located in Wembley, to establish the school as a Barnet Council maintained voluntary aided primary school with effect from the 1st January 2019 and decided to: (a) approve the proposal without modification.

11.

Family Services Complaints, Compliments and Comments Annual Report 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Upon invitation of the Chairman, Mr Munday introduced the report. It was noted that there has been more engagement with young people to seek their views. The Committee noted the importance of continued improvements and ensuring that issues are responded and treated effectively as early as possible.

 

It was unanimously RESOLVED that the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee noted the report and appendix.

 

12.

Annual Report from the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Brigitte Jordaan, Operational Director Corporate Parenting and Disability presented the Annual CPAP report. She provided a summary of the progress and outcomes for children in care and care leavers in Barnet for the period April 2017- March 2018. The Committee was informed about the Care Leavers Forum event taking place on 14th December which Members are welcome to attend.

 

The Committee highlighted the importance of input and feedback and to continue to make improvements to attendance from children and young people as well as the quality of information presented to the Panel. Officers noted that discussions will continue with the Voice of the Child team to this effect and to get the balance and focus right.

 

It was RESOLVED that the Committee noted the work of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel in 2017

 

13.

Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 202 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

14.

Any Other Item(s) that the Chairman Decides are Urgent

Minutes:

The Chairman referred to the Motion which was agreed by Full Council on 30th October 2018 and as such referred to Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee for consideration. This was noted by the Committee under Item 9 and Mr Munday confirmed that this could also be addressed within the January School Funding report. The Committee unanimously agreed that the issues set out in the Motion be reported to the Committee as part of the School Funding item at its January meeting.