Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings held on 16^th December, 2009 and on 12^th January, 2010 be approved as correct records.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16^th December, 2009 be approved as a correct record.

Joanne Robertson, report author

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Finance Manager  providing details of expenditure, income and the net budget position for the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate compared to the profiled budgets for the period ending 30th November, 2009 and the projected year end outturn position for the 2009/10 financial year. Currently the Directorate is forecasting an overspend of £4.084m.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the current forecast outturn position for the Directorate based on actual costs and income to 30th November 2009 and forecast costs and income to 31st March 2010 be noted.

Catherine Hall, report author

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Interim Safeguarding Children’s Board Manager stating that the Safe and Well Practice Guidance has been revised and now combines the two previous Safe and Well documents: the protocol and the practice guidance (2006). 

The report stated that from birth, all children become involved with a variety of different voluntary and statutory agencies, particularly in relation to their health, day care and educational development. A range of workers from universal services including midwives, health visitors, general practitioners, nursery staff, teachers and voluntary sector workers, all have a role in promoting their welfare. Universal services are available to all children and families and are accessed without the need for a referral. Most children and young people make progress through contact with these universal services, without requiring additional support. However, some children and young people have additional or complex needs and these are most likely to be identified by workers in universal services.

Once additional needs are identified, the worker has a responsibility to assess which level of intervention, assessment and service provision is required and to liaise with other services and agencies as appropriate, in order to improve the outcomes for them. The Safe and Well document provides support and guidance to all staff across all agencies and ensures that children in Rotherham receive transparent, timely and appropriate services.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the proposal to amalgamate the two documents (the protocol and the practice guidance) be endorsed.

(3) That support be given to a robust dissemination programme to ensure that all agencies in Rotherham are aware of the Safe and Well protocol.

(4) That the appropriate officers ensure that a dynamic training programme is delivered to assure Safeguarding Children Board and the Borough Council that children in Rotherham are protected from harm.

Catherine Hall, report author

Further to Minute No. 49 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 9^th September, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the Interim Safeguarding Children’s Board Manager on the implications of the findings of the Lord Laming report about the protection of children from harm. The multi-agency action plan, which was appended to the submitted report, had been given a ‘RAG Status’ (Red, Amber, Green) based on a further assessment of Rotherham’s continuing position. It was noted that the Safeguarding Children Board has made suggestions as to which group or agency should take forward the remaining issues.

Resolved:- (1) That the report and action plan be received and their contents noted.

(2) That the multi-agency plan be endorsed and partner agencies be supported with their self-assessment of compliance with Section 11 of the Children Act 2004.

(3) That the proposal that the Safeguarding Children Board, via the Practice Standards Sub-Group, shall quality assure all Section 11 self assessment processes be supported.

(4) That reports of progress from the agencies throughout the Rotherham Borough area continue to be submitted to the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services at quarterly intervals.

Joyce Thacker, report author

Further to Minute No. D99 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 16th December, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services concerning the Children and Young People’s Services’ Improvement Plan summary.  Members noted that detailed regular monitoring takes place against a number of actions across several themes. The report had also been submitted to the Improvement Panel, chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive. 

Members also considered the contents of the Notice to Improve, issued during December, 2009 by the Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families. Issues identified in the Notice to Improve would also be incorporated into the Improvement Plan.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the progress being made with the Children and Young People’s Services’ Improvement Plan, as now reported, be noted.

(3) That progress reports on the Improvement Plan continue to be submitted to meetings of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services.

Anthony Evans, report author

Further to Minute No. 25 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 1^st July, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the European Structural Funds NEETs Response Fund Manager detailing the progress in the management and delivery of the European Structural Funds (ESF) 16-19 NEETs Response Fund to 30th November, 2009.

The report stated that although the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) had agreed in principle to this Council’s business case to access £500,000 residual ESF monies, a number of factors at the LSC led to the business case not being endorsed. This Council is required to re-issue its business case before March, 2010. The business case will focus on the priorities set out in Rotherham’s 16-19 Statement of Need of mainstream funded provision, namely Apprenticeships, Foundation Learning and Learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities.

The Learning and Skills Council has agreed to extend the duration of Rotherham’s ESF 16-19 NEETs Response Fund from 31st March, 2010 to 31st December, 2010 to align Rotherham’s contract with the other three South Yorkshire contracts and recognising that the original tender, funding and targets were to be delivered over a two-year period.

Details of the fourteen commissioned projects were appended to the report submitted.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That further progress reports about the ESF 16-19 NEETs Response Fund continue to be submitted to meetings of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services at intervals of six months.

(3) That the report be submitted to the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel for information.

Catharine Kinsella, report author

Further to Minute No. 172 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 29^th April, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Director for Schools and Lifelong Learning, about the proposed changes to the ABLE Rotherham Project.

The report referred to the uncertainty of the future revenue funding of the project and proposed the withdrawal from the original proposal and the investigation of alternative opportunities to develop as much of the ABLE project on another site(s) in a way that is financially sustainable. This alternative provision would be developed to offer alternative curriculum provision for young people in Rotherham.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the proposal to develop the Ickles Lock site, Templeborough for ABLE Rotherham be not progressed.

(3) That alternative options continue to be explored that are financially sustainable.

(4) That a further progress report be submitted to a meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services early in 2010.

Consideration was given to the contents of the minutes of the meeting of the Building Schools for the Future Project Board, held on 8^th December, 2009.

Resolved:- That the contents of the minutes be noted.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under those paragraphs, indicated below, of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs, indicated below, of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

Bill Clark, report author

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Project Manager, Environment and Development Services concerning the tenders received for the construction of a new Junior and Infant school building at the Swinton Queen Primary School. The report stated that the new building would comprise one foundation unit, two reception areas, two Infant classrooms and six Junior classrooms, a main entrance foyer and reception, administration offices, toilets, stores, hall, a community room and link corridors, with external works comprising hard and soft play areas.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Target Cost of £4,060,547.12 and the Guaranteed Maximum Price of £4,704,950.32, submitted by Wildgoose Construction Limited, dated 8th October 2009, and the total project approval of £5,434,042.20 be accepted for the construction of a new Junior and Infant school building at the Swinton Queen Primary School.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to financial or business affairs)

(Councillor T. Sharman in the Chair)

Alan Jevons and Peter Rennie, report authors

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Children and Families Special Needs Service Manager concerning a proposal for the Council to enter into a contract with Groundwork Dearne Valley for the design and commissioning of a new play area provision and the redevelopment of the garden area within the Cherry Tree House unit of the Orchard Children’s Centre at Masbrough, Rotherham.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That approval be granted for a contract to be awarded to Groundwork Dearne Valley for the project design, project management and final accounting on completion for the works to provide a new play area and to redevelop the garden area within the Cherry Tree House unit of the Orchard Children’s Centre at Masbrough, Rotherham.

(3) That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services after appraisal of the tenders received for the construction contract and prior to the awarding of the construction contract.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to financial or business affairs)

(Councillor S. Wright declared a prejudicial interest in the above item, as a Director of the Groundwork Trust and left the meeting during consideration of this item; in his place, the Deputy Leader, Councillor T. Sharman attended the meeting to consider and determine this item)

(Councillor S. Wright resumed the Chair for the remainder of the meeting)

Aileen Chambers, report author

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Childcare Sustainability Manager concerning the proposed purchase of three additional eStart Licences from Capita Children’s Services for the Phase 3 Sure Start Children’s Centres, without a further procurement process. This purchase will enable the expansion and ensure the coherence of the existing performance and monitoring software system used in all Phase 1 and Phase 2 Children’s Centres. The estimated value of the additional Licences including implementation and annual maintenance is £12,000.

The report stated that expansion of the current Children’s Centres activity and performance management system is essential to fulfil the requirements of the new Children’s Centres Performance Management Guidance and will support the completion of the required Self Evaluation document. 

approval be given under Standing Order 38 the exempting of the contract from the requirements of Standing Order 48 (contracts valued at £50,000 or more).

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That approval be granted under Standing Order 38 for the exemption of the contract from the requirements of Standing Order 48 (contracts valued at £50,000 or more) in respect of the purchase of three additional eStart Licences from Capita Children’s Services for the Phase 3 Sure Start Children’s Centres.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to financial or business affairs)

Ron Parry, report author

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

Further to Minute No. 118 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 29^th January, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Catering Officer, detailing the forecast outturn trading position for the Education Catering Service based upon trade during the period April to November, 2009.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Principal Catering Officer continue to submit budget monitoring progress reports on the trading position of the Education Catering Service to the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to financial or business affairs)

Ruth Bastin, report author

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual)

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Policy and Planning Team Manager concerning the annual Lifestyle Survey, undertaken with both Primary and Secondary school pupils, with questions covering a range of issues, such as health, how pupils feel about school, how safe they feel, how pupils feel about the area in which they live, bullying, and how often they may smoke, drink or take drugs.

The submitted report detailed the Secondary Survey 2009, which was open to all Rotherham’s secondary schools. The survey was designed online by RBT. A project group consisting of representatives from Children and Young People’s Services, NHS Rotherham and Healthy Schools organised the design and implementation of the survey. The secondary survey period commenced on 15th June, 2009 and concluded on 24th July 2009.

Twelve schools had taken part and 2,589 pupils undertook the survey, an increase in the number of pupils compared to 2008.  Individual school reports and summaries have been produced for the schools who participated in the survey. The Borough-wide report, and the relevant data tables will be made available on the intranet, and the Executive Summary will be made available on the Council website.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That a letter be sent to the twelve schools thanking them for participation in the survey and other schools be encouraged to participate in future years' lifestyle surveys.

(3) That the report also be submitted to the Children’s Board, the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel and to the Youth Cabinet.

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual)