Agenda and minutes

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

Items
No. Item

1.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Committee, Councillor David Longstaff welcomed all attendants to the meeting.

 

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29th November 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

2.

ABSENCE OF MEMBERS

Minutes:

None.

3.

DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND NON-PECUNIARY INTERESTS

Minutes:

None.

4.

REPORT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER (IF ANY)

Minutes:

None.

5.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS (IF ANY)

Minutes:

None were received.

6.

MEMBERS' ITEMS (IF ANY)

Minutes:

None.

7.

UPDATE REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF BARNET CHILDREN'S SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN AND OTHER CES COMMITTEE PRIORITIES pdf icon PDF 327 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the report which was presented by Mr Chris Munday, the Strategic Director for Children and Young People.

 

Mr Munday briefed the Committee about the continued improvement work – he noted that following the Monitoring visit social work practice has been further consolidated and that as a result social work practice has been further consolidated.

 

Officers noted the issues raised by inspectors in the Ofsted letter, particularly in relation to case management and recording and the Committee stressed the importance of continued oversight and improvement towards performance and standards of practise. 

 

Members queried the impact of the audits undertaken on cases allocated to the Duty & Assessments Team. Officers informed the Committee that there has been an increase in the number of cases reviewed and that as a result of the audit programme there is a better understanding of procedures and that issues have been tackled thematically. In addition, further practical training has been rolled out for staff to support the improvement work.

 

In respect of the audit ratings of service activity from April-November 2018 under section 1.18 of the report Members noted the reduction in the number of inadequate ratings as well as and stressed the importance of tackling issues and continued progress.

 

Following a query from the Committee about Troubled Families, Officers noted the sustained progress achieved with families since the start of the programme in 2014. Officers highlighted the need for continued data improvement in relation to employment and the ongoing work with DWP to improve data sharing with Job Centres.

 

Officers noted the issues raised by inspectors, particularly in relation to case management and recording and the Committee stressed the importance of continued oversight and improvement towards performance and standards of practise. 

 

It was unanimously RESOLVED that:

 

1.    That the Committee noted the progress of the Barnet Children's Services Improvement Action Plan as set out in paragraphs 1.8 to 1.42.

2.    That the Committee noted the OFSTED monitoring visit feedback letter attached in Appendix 1.

3.    That the Committee noted and scrutinised as above the performance information provided in Appendix 2.

 

 

8.

ANNUAL REPORT ON SCHOOL FUNDING IN BARNET FOR 2019-20 pdf icon PDF 409 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Mr Ian Harrison, Education and Skills Director who joined the meeting and presented the Annual Report on School Funding.

 

Mr Harrison informed the Committee that the funding was approved following the letter submitted to the Secretary of State which was discussed at the recent Schools Forum meeting. He also spoke about the funding criteria used when allocating growth and split site funding which was also approved by the Schools Forum.

 

Following a query about any deficit position, Mr Harrison noted that this will only be apparent once schools declare their budget position. The Committee asked a follow up question on budget management support and it was noted that schools must submit balanced three year plans and if there are any issues, work can be undertaken to support a school at an early stage to address any issues as best as possible.

 

It was unanimously RESOLVED that the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee:

 

1.    Noted the annual report on school funding in Barnet and the decision to withdraw the application to the Secretary of State to transfer 0.5% from the schools block to the high needs block as set out in paragraphs 1.28 and 1.29.

2.    Approved the submission of the Authority Proforma Tool (which specifies the authority’s funding formula for schools) on the basis of paragraphs 1.25 to 1.43, which includes a Minimum Funding Guarantee of 0% and means that no primary or secondary school will receive less money per pupil in 2019-20 than they did in 2018-19 (through the pupil-led element of the school funding formula), while any schools gaining from the introduction of the National Funding Formula will have their gains capped at +0.5% per pupil.

3.    Noted that the overall Schools Budget will be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee at its next meeting on 20th February 2019 for onward submission to full council as part of the budget setting process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

BARNET CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S PLAN 2019-2023 pdf icon PDF 191 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the item which was presented by Mr Ben Thomas, Strategic Lead for Children and Young People.

 

Mr Thomas spoke about the work of the LBB with UNICEF UK through the Child Friendly Cities and Communities programme and noted that the overarching ambition is for the borough to be recognised by UNICEF UK as a UNICEF Child Friendly Community in 2020.

 

He informed Members about the seven key principles of a child rights-based approach which will enhance and improve the way children and young people are supported.

 

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee considered the draft Children and Young People Plan 2019-2023 including the vision and key outcomes.

2.    That the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee approved the public consultation of the draft Children and Young People Plan 2019-2023.
 

3.    That following public consultation delegated authority is given to the Strategic Director for Children and Young People in consultation with the Committee Chairman to give final approval of the Children and Young People Plan 2019- 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

BARNET SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN PARTNERSHIP BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee welcomed and commended the quality of the report. It was noted that Ms Fiona Bateman has, for the interim, has been appointed to the role of Chair of the Barnet Children’s Safeguarding Board.    

 

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

 

That the Committee noted the information contained within BSCP Annual Report 2017-18.

11.

COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME pdf icon PDF 205 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the standing item on the agenda which lists the Forward Work Programme of the Committee for 2019.

 

It was agreed that the Committee receive a report at a future meeting on the annual progress against the Children and Young People’s Plan. (Action: Forward Work Programme)

 

It was RESOLVED that the Committee noted the Forward Work Programme 2019.

12.

ANY OTHER ITEM(S) THAT THE CHAIRMAN DECIDES ARE URGENT

Minutes:

None.