Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Children Service’s and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Panel Chairman and Vice-Chairman at the commencement of the meeting, the Panel nominated a chairman for the meeting.

RESOLVED that Councillor Osborne Chair the meeting of the Children Service’s and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

To receive apologies for absence and to note the attendance of any substitute members.

The Panel noted the attendance of the following Substitute Member:

Councillor Harrison for Councillor Mrs McCracken.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Children’s Social Care and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 16 December 2009.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Children’s Services and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 16 December 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no matters arising.

Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, including the existence and nature of the party whip, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest relating to any items on the agenda, nor any indications that members would be participating whilst under the party whip.

Any other items which, pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman decides are urgent.

There were no urgent items of business.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel held on 2 December 2009.

The Panel received and noted the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel meeting held on 02 December 2009.

Arising from discussion the Panel noted the following points:

• the work of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel was an important area of consideration for scrutiny
• there was a need to recruit foster carers for children in the 11+ age group. A greater number of available foster carers would be likely to lead to an increase in the number of stable placements as there would be a greater range of choice when placing children in foster care
• Initiatives were currently taking place to increase awareness of the need for more foster carers.

To discuss with the Chairman and Lead Officer of the Early Years, Child Care and Play Theme Partnership its governance, performance management, financial management, and related issues, with reference to the questionnaire sent in advance of the meeting.

As part of the agreed approach to the Overview and Scrutiny of Bracknell Forest Partnership, the Panel noted the completed questionnaire detailing the Early Years, Childcare and Play Partnership’s governance, performance management, financial management, and related issues.

The Panel received a presentation regarding the Early Years, Childcare and Play Partnership (EYCCPP) outlining the development of the Partnership since its establishment in 1997, key duties, priorities and challenges for the future.

In 1997 the Early Years Development Partnership (EYDP) was formed as the result of a requirement from Government on all local authorities. The EYDP set local targets providing a focus for agencies to ensure provision for early years development was meeting required standards. 

In 1999 the age range the partnership focused on was expanded to include children 0-14 years and up to 16 for children with Special Needs. The Partnership changed its name to reflect this becoming the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. 

The Partnership’s duties were to ensure all funding supported the delivery of the Government’s Ten Year Strategy for Childcare and Choice for Parents: the best start for children. Funding should also support duties set out in the Childcare Act 2006 and Local Authorities requirements.

The key priorities for the EYCCPP were:

• Children’s Centres
• Childcare Sufficiency and Access
• Outcomes Quality and Inclusion
• Graduate Leadership
• Every Child a Talker – from April 2010
• Play Strategy Development

Future work for the Partnership included the development of two further Children’s Centres, extending the free entitlement of Early Education and Childcare, targeted funding for Two Year Old Early Education, securing graduate early years professionals and developing more accessible play opportunities for all children and young people.

There was a high level of trust between members of the partnership, its sub-groups and service providers. The EYCCPP’s Terms of Reference and membership were reviewed on an annual basis.

Arising from discussion with the Chairman and lead officer of the Partnership the Panel noted the following:

• the provision for Two Year Olds focused on engaging with the most vulnerable children. 50 places were available across the borough for vulnerable children referred for extra development support. 
• The Partnership received no direct funding, however it supported and advised the local authority who received direct funding for Early Years and Childcare and Play development.

The Panel thanked the Chairman and lead officer for presenting their partnership and congratulated the Early Years, Childcare and Play Partnership team on a partnership which has progressed from strength to strength creating additional capacity for the delivery of projects for children in the Borough and ensuring resources were targeted in important areas during the current economic downturn.

To consider key themes and priorities for the Children, Young People and Learning Department as outlined in the Council’s Draft Budget Proposals for 2010/11.

The Panel received extracts from the proposed 2010/11 Revenue Budget and Capital Programme reports relating to Children, Young People and Learning which were presented to the Executive on 15 December 2009.

The Acting Director of Children, Young People and Learning (CYPL) introduced the budget proposals which included detailed information on service pressures and developments, key decisions, fees and charges, risk areas and contingency.

The Council had faced significant pressure in delivering services within budget in the current financial year due to the impact of the recession. Loss of interest and reduced income from Council investments such as Easthampstead Park Conference Centre and revenue generated from car parking charges meant in year savings had been identified to reduce potential overspend. In year savings identified by the CYPL Department amounted to £397,000.

The Department was facing service pressures of £100,000 from a Council total of £1,524,000. Service economies from the CYPL Department would account for £516,000 from a total savings of £3,243,000. Risk areas identified by the Council amounted to £1.7 million.

The Panel noted that the schools budget was separate from the Children, Young People and Learning Department’s budget and was not included in the proposed 2010/11 Revenue Budget and Capital Programme.

A pressure of £100,000 was anticipated from new requirements resulting from the Lord Laming Report  in respect of the protection of children in England for all referrals from professionals to have an initial assessment.

Proposed savings for the Department included recharging some costs to the Schools Budget which were appropriate and had been initially agreed by the schools. The increased charges in the Schools Budget would not impact on individual schools in the borough.

A small number of staff currently funded from revenue budgets would be funded from external grants. The student finance function was moving from the local authority to the Student Loans Company. As a result the Council would be reducing its support in this area which meant redeployment of a member of staff to avoid a redundancy. In total the proposed budget savings for the CYPL Department would be £745,000.

Arising from Members’ comments and questions the following points were noted:

• The provision made for the Pay Award did not include Teachers Pay Award which would come from the Schools Budget.
• The Extended Schools funding would end in March 2011, however it was anticipated that the drive and support for the provision would move to the schools.

The Acting Director of CYPL introduced the proposed fees and charges for the Department in 2010/11. Individual fees and charges had been examined with any increased limited by inflation. In the majority of cases there had been no significant increase, however the Education Centre’s charges had increased as it was judged that this would not reduce the Centre’s use. 

The Panel considered the proposed Capital Programme 2010/11 – 2012/13. The total request for Council funding was £8,069,000, with CYPL requesting £1,065,000 of Council funding.

External funding - Primary Capital Strategy for Change amounted to £7,396,000 which included funding for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider forthcoming items on the Executive Forward Plan relating to Children's Services and Learning.

The Panel noted the items on the Executive Forward Plan relating to Children’s Services and Learning.

The next scheduled meeting of the Children’s Services and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Panel would be held on 24 March 2010 at Bracknell & Wokingham College.