Issue - meetings

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Quarterly Service Reports for the fourth quarter of 2018/19 (Jan 2019 to March 2019) relating to Children, Young People and Learning. 

Panel members are asked to give advance notice to the Governance and Scrutiny Team of any questions relating to the Quarterly Service Report where possible.

It was noted the People Directorate QSRs were not contained in the agenda, only the Central Directorate QSRs. However, members had the following questions:

·         Members asked what the intention was for when the Kooth contract ended in September 2019. Kooth was an online chat form for children and young people with mental health issues. Rachel Morgan said she understood the question had been sent to Overview & Scrutiny Commission and an answer from Public Health was being prepared.

·         The contract to provide support to young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) would be ending in July 2019 and members queried who would be providing support following that date. Rachel Morgan informed members Kashif Nawaz was working with Elevate and other Berkshire local authorities to ensure support was in place.

·         It was noted there was a £67,000 pressure on the transport budget for home to school transport on page 55 of the Delivery QSR. Rachel Morgan explained SEND transport policy was currently being reviewed and that a response to this question was being prepared for the Overview & Scrutiny Commission.

·         Members were informed about recent school inspections in the Borough.

·         It was agreed the revised Learning and Improvement Strategy which was currently being consulted on would be brought to the Panel for comment.

Actions

·         Rachel Morgan to follow up with Public Health and Kashif Nawaz to ensure responses to the above questions would be ready for Overview & Scrutiny Commission.

·         Rachel Morgan to send the revised Learning and Improvement Strategy to members.