Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

The Scrutiny Panel noted that there would be feedback to a future meeting from the recent conferences attended by members of the Youth Cabinet and the Black and Minority Ethnic Young People’s Forum.

PRESENTATION

The following items were noted:-

(a) the Chair and the Scrutiny Adviser had attended an IDeA seminar at Warwick to give a presentation about ways of preventing Bullying in Schools;

(b) the South Yorkshire Local Authorities’ Joint Annual Scrutiny of local health services was taking place during March, 2008;

(c) the Chair had attended the ‘children’s championship’ event, organised by Sure Start and held at the Hellaby Hall Hotel, Hellaby, where awards had been presented to childminders.

Presentation by Alison Lilburn, Youth Officer

nb: all Members of the Council have been invited to attend the meeting for this item

FOR MONITORING

The Scrutiny Panel received a presentation from Alison Lilburn and Kerry Hurst (Children and Young People’s Services) about the establishment of an Internet web site containing the Directory of Services and Activities for Children, Young People and their Families in Rotherham. The Scrutiny Panel viewed a demonstration of the web site and its various ways of facilitating searches for the information.

The following salient issues were discussed:-

- the web site was expected to be in full operation at the beginning of April, 2008;

- the web site will include links to other appropriate organisations (eg: the Connexions Service);

- management of the information on the web site, to ensure that inappropriate information would not be published;

- alternative ways of communication with young people (eg: pod casts; blogs);

- display of information on the web site, to ensure its availability for visually impaired people;

- ensuring that ‘quality’ mark accreditation for organisations, demonstrating that standards are met, can be displayed;

- regular updating of the web site information;

- the placing of this web site within the priority rankings of Google Internet search engine.

Resolved:- (1) That Alison Lilburn and Kerry Hurst be thanked for their interesting and informative presentation.

(2) That the arrangements for the seminar for all members of the Council, to be held on Tuesday, 8^th April, 2008, be noted.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Performance Manager outlining performance at the end of the third quarter 2007/08 against targets, with comparisons against previous performance in 2007/08 and All England top quartile authorities. The appendix to the report contained the recovery plans regarding action to be taken to address performance in areas where performance is projected not to meet its target and also showed a decline on the previous quarter. There was also information about the action plans from the performance clinics.

Resolved:- (1) That the third quarter performance report be received

(2) That the Recovery Action Plan to be approved

(3) That the recommendations regarding performance clinics, as detailed in the report submitted, be approved.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Service Accountant providing details of expenditure, income and the net budget position for the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate compared to the phased budgets for the period ending on 31st December 2007 and the projected year end outturn position. The current report shows a balanced projected revenue outturn position for 2007/08.

Resolved:- That the current forecast outturn for a balanced budget for the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate, which is based on actual costs and income to 31^st December 2007 and forecast costs and income to 31^st March 2008, be noted.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Service Accountant stating that capital expenditure for the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate is estimated to be £17.1 millions in 2007/08. The report shows the approved capital programme and subsequent revisions, actual expenditure to 15^th December 2007 and projected expenditure to 31st March 2008.

Resolved:- That this Scrutiny Panel notes that:-

(a) the 2007/2008 Capital Programme for Children and Young People’s Services is forecast at £17.1 millions, with current expenditure to date being £7.6 millions; and

(b) this Capital Programme is expected to spend £14.5 millions by 31st March 2008.

FOR DISCUSSION

The Scrutiny Panel noted the contents of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for Children and Young People’s Services, for the four months’ period 31^st March 2008 to 30^th June 2008.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Strategic Director, Children and Young People’s Services the Imagination Library, a literacy scheme for under fives through which children receive one high quality age appropriate book each month, delivered to them personally through the post. The report stated that advice for parents/carers on how to read with children is included and the programme can be supported by a range of family learning programmes and events.  By the age of five, each child will have built a library of 60 books. The report described how the scheme will work in Rotherham. The Scrutiny Panel’s debate of this item included the following salient issues:-

- raising literacy levels in the Borough and improving the Foundation Key Stage performance;

- fund raising in support of the scheme (a thank you to the Broom Valley Infant School);

- registration of children, both to the Imagination Library and to the Borough Council’s library service;

- targeting of specific areas, using analysis by post code, where children may not have been registered;

- recycling / re-use of books;

- scrutiny of the scheme.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and the details of the Imagination Library be noted.

(2) That it be noted that all Members of the Council are to receive a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ (and responses), prepared by the Strategic Director, Children and Young People’s Services, about the Imagination Library.

(3) That, in order to facilitate regular scrutiny of the scheme, further progress reports about the Imagination Library be submitted to meetings of this Scrutiny Panel, initially after twelve months’ operation of the scheme and thereafter at intervals of six months.

(4) That the Corporate Management team be asked to consider the operation of a payroll giving scheme, in respect of possible donations to the Imagination Library, similar to the ‘Pennies from Heaven’ payroll giving scheme.

MINUTES

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Senior Director, Children and Young People’s Services, providing details of the funding for the support of the education of children for who have English as an additional language. The report included details of:-

- the specific grant funding provided from the Standards Fund, the rationale for distribution of this grant and the funding that was distributed in 2007/08.;

- information on Newly Arrived Children during 2006/07 and where these children were placed on a school roll;

- the role of the Service for Ethnic Minority Children, including financial and staffing information, as well as information on the children who were supported during 2006/07.

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

(2) That a scrutiny review be undertaken of Support for Newly Arrived Children and Young People and the members of the review panel shall be Councillors Dodson, Kaye and License (Chair) and Co-opted Member Mr. M. Hall.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel, held on 8^th February, 2008, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Resolved:- That the contents of the minutes of the meetings of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 1^st February, 2008 and 15^th February, 2008, be noted.