Agenda and decisions

Venue: John Meikle Room, The Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton TA1 1HE. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services on (01823) 357628 or email:  democraticservicesteam@somerset.gov.uk 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Decision:

Apologies were received from Councillor John Hunt and from Rev’d Tobie Osmond and Mary Cox – co-opted members. Ruth Hobbs (co-opted member) attended the meeting remotely.

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

3.

Minutes from the Meeting held on Wednesday 18 September 2024 pdf icon PDF 136 KB

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on Wednesday 18 September 2024.

Decision:

Resolved that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families held on Monday 21 October 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

4.

Public Question Time

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

Decision:

There were no questions asked, statements made or petitions presented.

5.

Scrutiny Committee - Children and Families Work Programme pdf icon PDF 119 KB

To receive an update from the Service Manager, Governance Scrutiny. To assist the discussion, the following documents are attached:-

 

(a)  The Committee’s work programme

(b)  The Committee’s outcome tracker

 

Please use the following links to view the latest Somerset Council Forward Plans and Executive Forward Plan of planned key decisions that have been published on the Council’s website:

 

Somerset Council Forward Plans

Somerset Council Executive Forward Plan

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee received and noted the Committee’s current work programme, outcome tracker and the Executive Forward Plan of planned key decisions in the coming months including Executive meetings.

 

It was agreed that the following items will be added to the work plan:

 

  • LGSCO complaints directed to Somerset – December mtg
  • Supported internships
  • DoE strategically (successes)
  • Role of LCN’s / City / Town / Parish Councils in provision of youth support

 

Noted that all Cllr’s have received basic DBS checks – officers are looking into issue of enhanced checks.

6.

Children's Services - Budget Monitoring update - Month 5 pdf icon PDF 504 KB

To consider PowerPoint presentation.

 

Note – the Chair will allow 30 minutes for this agenda item.

Decision:

The Committee received a presentation on the budget position as at the end of Month 5.

 

It was agreed that:

(a)  officers will produce explanation paper on differences between residential / IMS.

(b)  officers will provide breakdown of placements out of county by ages for CLA.

7.

Funding and provision for children with additional needs - feedback on consultation pdf icon PDF 362 KB

To consider PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of the consultation - there will be verbal feedback at the meeting on the responses received.

 

Note – the Chair will allow 50 minutes for this agenda item.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee received a presentation outlining this consultation and received an update on the responses received as at 21 October 2024

 

The Executive will be considering recommendations at the meeting on 4 November 2024 which will also include proposals about monitoring.

 

Agreed that the Sufficiency Strategy will be added to work plan and as an agenda item at December mtg.

 

The Committee was generally supportive of the proposals and plans; has concerns about how will be implemented; need to be child focussed; like to be kept up dated – item to March ’25 meeting.

8.

SWAP Audit on Education Health and Care Plan Payments pdf icon PDF 351 KB

To consider PowerPoint presentation.

 

A copy of the audit report on the EHCP finance review (payments system) is attached for information.

 

Note – the Chair will allow 30 minutes for this agenda item.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee received a presentation on the recent audit of EHCP payments (copy of audit report).

 

The audit on Inclusion financial management and control will be circulated when available, for information.

 

Noted looking to change systems and highlighted timescales. The Chair will write to Executive around concerns.

9.

Transform Family View pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider PowerPoint presentation – there will also be a short demonstration at the meeting.

 

Note – the Chair will allow 20 minutes for this agenda item.

 

Decision:

The Committee received a presentation and demonstration on Transform Family View – around using data to support integrated working across the partnership.

 

Noted the huge potential - and is an excellent piece of work.

 

Agreed that would be useful for an all member briefing to be arranged.

10.

Items for Information - Standing Item

This is a standing agenda item and will provide details of information sent to Committee members in between meetings, that cover the Committee’s policy areas.

 

(a)  Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report – circulated on 19 September 2024

(b)  Funding and provision for children with additional needs - consultation – circulated on 26 September 2024

(c)  Somerset Children & Young People’s Plan – circulated on 10 October 2024

 

If Committee members have any questions or comments on the information, please contact the Committee Administrator on democraticservicesteam@somerset.gov.uk in the first instance and before the date of the meeting.

Decision:

The Committee noted the following items for information:

 

(a) Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report – circulated on 19 September 2024

(b) Funding and provision for children with additional needs - consultation – circulated on 26 September 2024

(c) Somerset Children & Young People’s Plan – circulated on 10 October 2024