To receive updates from the Chairs of the Select Commission on work undertaken and planned for the future.
Minutes:
Improving Places Select Commission Update:
The draft Housing Strategy 2025–2030 and the Neighbourhoods Plan was reviewed at the meeting last week along with looking back at the previous Selective Licensing Scheme.
Items for the next meeting included the draft Housing Strategy Action Plan and the Neighbourhoods Plan. It was noted that IPSC would also usually cover flooding and allotments, however one of those items may be postponed to a future meeting due to the length of the last session.
The IPSC also welcomed the new Governance Advisor, Kristianne Thorogood, who would be taking over responsibility for supporting the Commission from Barbel Gale, Governance Manager.
Improving Lives Select Commission Update:
Since the last meeting, one ILSC session had been held. The Commission received the Children and Young Persons Annual Outturn Performance Report. Members were satisfied with the progress made to date, but requested further information on:
· Engagement levels with Family Help
· A summary of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, was requested by the Commission
It also considered the draft Elective Home Education Policy in pre-decision scrutiny, ahead of its presentation to Cabinet. Members were generally happy with the policy but requested further information on three specific items. Written responses were provided to any additional questions raised during the meeting.
The service also considered how flexi-schooling should sit alongside elective home education. A further update on the strategy was requested to be provided annually or earlier if significant changes occurred.
In April, ILSC considered the No Family Left Behind Strategy. Although this jumped back in time, it was relevant as several items came to fruition after the July meeting. At that time, members made several recommendations, all of which were later incorporated. Since then, the strategy was revised further and reviewed by Improving Lives ahead of Cabinet consideration.
The Chair noted that several commission members, had attended bespoke trauma training in John Smith’s Room, which was very informative.
At the next ILSC meeting (scheduled for next week), an annual update from CAMHS, including a separate neurodiversity report was expected. This would be the first CAMHS update to the Commission since it moved under Improving Lives from Health Select Commission. Members of the Health Select Commission had been invited to attend this item due to its crossover relevance.
Health Select Commission Update:
The Chair explained there was no report from HSC as both the Chair and Vice-Chair were unavailable. Officers would not be asked to deliver the report, and it was deferred.
The Chair explained that the Chief Executive had asked that these updates be provided as a briefing note in the agenda pack going forward. The intention of this was to improve openness and transparency. Before responding to the Chief Executive about this the Chair wanted to seek members views on the following:
· Did members feel a short-written briefing was appropriate?
· Would members prefer to rely on the minutes instead?
The Chair went on to explain that it was not expected to be a lengthy document, just a brief summary and the Governance Advisors would be available to support with this if needed.