Agenda and minutes

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 September 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

None.

Councillor Anne Hutton declared an interest in Agenda Item 7 in that she is a Trustee at Barnet Carers Centre.

Councillor Anne Clarke declared an interest in Agenda Items 10 in that she is a Trustee at Childs Hill Food Bank.

None.

None.

Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb: Funding of nursery settings

Councillor Coakley-Webb introduced her Members Item in relation to funding for Barnet’s nursery schools, referring to the attached appendices from Barnet Early Years Alliance (BEYA). The Chairman confirmed he has written to both the Chancellor and the Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, Vicky Ford, regarding the importance of long term funding for Barnet’s maintained nurseries who do not receive the funding other nursery settings may get. The Chairman expressed that he is confident that there is funding expected soon.

Councillor Byers asked to put on record how grateful the Committee is for the work that BEYA does and the contribution it makes to outcomes for children in Barnet.

The Committee and Officers discussed the issue and confirmed that there is a finance report on the agenda for the January meeting of the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee which will include details on maintained nursery schools and at that point there will be further clarity about government funding. The Chairman noted that he could not guarantee what the government funding will be and therefore suggested Councillor Coakley-Webb should raise a motion at the January Committee meeting, if the issue has not been resolved.  

It was therefore AGREED that the issue be further discussed at the January meeting of the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee if required.

Councillor Nagus Narenthira: Child poverty in Barnet

Councillor Narenthira introduced her Members Item and highlighted that children who were digitally poor were suffering more during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their lack of access to learning if they could not be in school.

The Chairman noted that these were the types of issues which would be covered in the Life Chances Strategy which is currently out for consultation. He encouraged all Members to feed into the consultation and noted that they would also get to comment on the Strategy when it comes to the next meeting of the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee on 11 January 2021.

It was therefore AGREED that Members noted the opportunity to feed into the consultation of the Life Chances Strategy and that the Strategy would be further discussed at the next meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Anne Hutton: Diversity on school governing bodies

Councillor Hutton presented her Members Item and asked the Committee to encourage governing bodies of all schools and colleges in the London borough of Barnet to specifically consider including governors from black and/or minority ethnic communities on their Boards when considering nominating new governors, in order to reflect the ethnicity of the students and their families. She also asked if a survey of governing bodies could be undertaken to assist the Barnet Equalities Allies with their data collection in assessing equality of opportunity for Barnet residents.

The Committee discussed the various approaches which were currently being undertaken to encourage people from all backgrounds to feel confident in putting themselves forward to be a school governor, whether it be a Local Authority, parent or co-opted governor.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The report was presented by the Executive Director for Children’s Services, who gave a brief update and flagged some key points.

The Committee had the opportunity to question officers and discuss the report in depth.

It was RESOLVED;

1. That the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee note and provide comments on the performance information provided in Appendix 1 and 2.

2. That the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee note and provide comments on the findings from the Ofsted Area SEND interim visit, including Ofsted letter in Appendix 3.

3. That the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee note and provide comments on the updates against key areas as noted in the report, including Family Services Performance Update, 0-25 Service, Placements and Sufficiency Strategy and Care Leavers Week.

The report was presented by the Executive Director for Children’s Services, who gave a brief update on the budget setting and the proposals contained within the report. He noted that the focus was on a balanced budget arrangement for 2021-2022 with options for future years, which have not yet been finalised. He noted that he was confident these savings could be made without adversely affecting the outcomes for children and young people in the long term.

The Committee had the opportunity to question officers and discuss the report in depth. The Chairman moved to vote on the recommendation set out within the report and votes were recorded as follows;

It was RESOLVED;

1. That the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee consider the MTFS proposals which relate to the committee as set out in Appendix A and, having considered the initial equalities impacts, refer these proposals to Policy and Resources Committee for decision.

The report was presented by the Executive Director for Children’s Services and the Chief Executive of BELS, alongside other officers who spoke on the key points of the updated strategies. It was noted that the biggest change was the inclusions related to minimising the impacts of the global pandemic on schooling and children and young people.

The Committee had the opportunity to question officers and discuss the report in depth.

It was RESOLVED;

1. That the Committee approve the Education Strategy 2021-24.

2. That the Committee approve the draft SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2021-24 as a basis for consultation and authorises the Executive Director for Children’s Services to approve the final strategy taking account of consultation responses.

3. That the Committee approve the School and Settings Improvement Strategy 2021-24.

4. That the Committee note the update report on the planning of school places.

The report was presented by the Strategic Lead, Children and Young People, who highlighted the funding received and the proposed Barnet local eligibility framework and approach.

The Committee had the opportunity to question officers and discuss the report in depth.

It was RESOLVED;

That the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee agree the following:

1. Approve the policy at Appendix A, the COVID Winter Grant Scheme Local Eligibility Framework and Approach.

2. That the Executive Director – Children’ Services has delegated authority to administer the policy and to make amendments to it as required.

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

None.