27. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2004 were confirmed.
28.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations made at this stage.
29.
PUBLIC
QUESTION TIME
Mrs S White asked a question in relation to the availability of
the morning after pill in Island schools. The Strategic Director of Children’s
Services indicated that he would investigate the matter and respond to Mrs
White directly.
30.
FORWARD
PLAN
The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support advised that
the Forward Plan for December 2004 to March 2005 had recently been issued. It
was noted that the Executive would be considering the Corporate Parenting
Policy Guidance for Elected Members at its meeting on 1 December 2004.
31.
QUARTERLY
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT – QUARTER 2 2004-05
The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services reported on the
levels of performance for activities within Children’s Services for the period
1 July to 30 September 2004. The comments made by the Select Committee in
relation to the first quarter’s report considered on 21 September 2004 had been
taken into incorporated in the details provided.
Members were pleased to note the improvement in pupil achievements
in the national tests for 11 year olds in English and mathematics. Progress was
also being made in a number of other areas and the success of Weston Community Primary
School.
Whilst the educational performance of Looked After Children was an
area to watch the small cohort numbers did lead to volatile statistics. A
clearer picture could hopefully be obtained in the Autumn Quarter. With regard
to the performance indicator for the percentage of half days missed in
Secondary schools whilst this had improved new software was being introduced to
enable the collection of more robust data. The Select Committee was also
advised of progress towards reaching the targets contained within the Local
Public Service Agreements. The performance for Information Communication
Technology, in PSA 1, was on target but there was underperformance in
mathematics and science although the reliability of the data nationally was
questionable.
The Select Committee was advised that since the introduction of a
fixed penalty notice for parents whose child was absent from school without
authorisation only one such notice had been issued. If the parent did not pay
the fine of £50 within 28 days this increased to £100. If payment was still not
made the matter was then dealt with by the Magistrates Court. Officers were
concerned that the Court could impose a lower fine thereby impacting on the
successful operation of the scheme.
The Select Committee discussed the Council’s performance as
Corporate Parents. Reference was made to a seminar held the previous day on
this topic. Some concern was expressed by members as to the views expressed by
several of the looked after children on the standard of care and support
received. Officers outlined the background to the session which had been
specially facilitated but indicated that they would investigate the issues
raised and report back accordingly.
The target for the number of looked after foster care children
placed on the mainland was being maintained. Members indicated whether it would
be possible to accompany officers on visits to such mainland placements to gain
an overview of these arrangements.
On area to watch was the role of Children Adolescent Mental Health
Service (CAMHS) in dealing with young people with challenging behaviour. The
Select Committee believed that the pilot project could be monitored by the
Adult and Community Services Select Committee as part of its Health Scrutiny
work programme.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
(a)
Arrangements
be made for interested members to accompany officers visiting mainland
placements for foster care children.
(b)
Where
details refer to small cohorts the specific number of children be shown as part
of the QPMR provided confidentiality is maintained.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF LEARNING EFFECTIVENESS AND EDUCATION
The Select Committee be advised of the number of pupils taking
advantage of the special grant available for staying on in school.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR CHILDREN’S
SERVICES, STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND HEAD OF POLICY AND
COMMUNICATIONS
Whilst noting the progress made on KPI’s and PSA targets the
Select Committee will continue to monitor performance with specific reference
to the Council’s PSA targets and Priority Improvement Areas.
32.
REVENUE
BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF SEPTEMBER 2004
The Select Committee considered the report of the Strategic
Director of Children’s Services and the Chief Financial Officer on the revenue
budget for the services within its remit. This indicated that spending levels
for both Education Services and Children’s and Families Services were largely in
line with that normally forecasted. There were some significant divergences
from target in the SEN budget but it was anticipated that the overall costs
would contained within that allocated for the service.
33.
THE
DEVELOPING ROLE OF SCHOOL GOVERNANCE WITHIN A CHILDREN’S SERVICES FRAMEWORK
The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, together with the
Council’s Principal Inspector, outlined the developing role of school governance
within the Children’s Bill and ‘Every Child Matters’ national framework.
The Select Committee was given a presentation by the Head of
Learning Effectiveness and Education on the growing importance of the role and
responsibility of school governing bodies. The new Ofsted inspection process to
be introduced from September 2005 would take into account the following five
outcomes arising from the Children’s Bill :-
1.
being
healthy;
2.
staying
safe;
3.
enjoyment
and achievement;
4.
making a
positive contribution;
5.
economic
wellbeing.
Members were advised of that school governors should ensure that
they received the appropriate information upon which the effectiveness of
school governance would be evaluated. This would include school attainment,
compliance with relevant policies; effectiveness of the school’s leadership and
robust monitoring.
The training of both governors and clerks to governing bodies was
discussed. The delivery of training in cluster groups appeared to have positive
benefits especially for specific elements of work. Additionally the need for a
simple basic guide for governors was highlighted. This could include the latest
changes being introduced and assist governors in identifying how they could
become more effective and challenging.
As an initial step in the provision of training the Select
Committee suggested that a session should be arranged for those members of the
Council who served on Governing Bodies.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF LEARNING EFFECTIVENESS AND
EDUCATION
(a)
A training
event be arranged for all members who are on school governing bodies on roles
and responsibilities.
(b)
The
compilation of a simple guide for local School Governors be explored.
34.
FRESH
START – WESTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Select Committee was advised that unfortunately Mrs E Holyome,
Headteacher of Weston Community Primary School, was unable to attend the meeting due to unavoidable work
commitments. Given this and the time it was agreed to defer the item.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT
The item on Weston Community Primary School be included in the
workplan for a future meeting.
CHAIRMAN