Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor J Snell (substituted by Cllr R Wilkins) and Councillor J Baker (no substitute).

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 )

The following declarations of interest were made at the meeting:

(a)  Cllr F Nicholson – agenda item relating to educational modelling – Frome (item 7 refers) – co chair of Governors of 5 schools in Minehead and area mentioned in discussions – personal.

(b)  Cllr P Clayton – agenda relating to Regional Adoption Agency (item 8 refers) – have consultancy contract and independent panel member for Adopt South West – personal.

(c)  Ruth Hobbs – co-opted member – going through mediation with Somerset Council regarding child’s EHCP – personal.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

Note regarding minute 4 (Public Question Time) - the responses can be found in the addendum document here

Resolved that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Childrens and Families held on 12 July 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

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’.

To receive an update from the Service Manager. 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 link to view the latest Executive Forward Plan of planned key decisions that have been published on the Council’s website – Executive Forward Plan

The Committee received and noted the current work programme and outcome tracker and the Executive’s Forward Plan.

The Chair highlighted the following:

·         The additional meeting on Wednesday 25 October at 10 am at Deane House ,Taunton will be a joint meeting with the Scrutiny Committee – Adults and Health;

·         The meeting on 15 November will be held in the Sedgemoor Room, Bridgwater;

·         There will be an additional meeting on Tuesday 12 December at 10 am and this will be held in the Chamber at Brympton Way, Yeovil;

·         To note that Committee Members will be invited to attend the Adults and Health Committee on 7 December for the following agenda item – Overview of Crime & Disorder.

To consider PowerPoint presentation.

Note – the Chair will allow 45 minutes for this agenda item.

The Committee received a presentation on the 23/24 Children’s Services budget as at the end of July 2023 (Month 4).

The 23/24 Children’s Services (General Fund) has a net budget of £123.1m and has forecast overspend of £8.8m (7.1% of budget). This variance is in External Placements. The full year projection is £131.9m.  The key cost drivers, risks, issues and opportunities were highlighted.

Referenced the Dedicated Schools Grant (DGS) which has £14.1m forecast in year deficit; cumulative £34.8m deficit. The key cost drivers including with the High Needs Block, risks, issues and opportunities were highlighted.

The Committee asked a number of questions and made a number of comments and that going forward the information be provided in advance of the meeting.

To consider PowerPoint presentation.

The item will be led by the Council’s s Service Director, Education, Partnerships and Skills, Amelia Walker and Head of Education Places, Phil Curd.

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

The Committee received a presentation which provided an update on the on-going work and discussions about education structures in the Frome area.

The Committee welcomed and noted the update.

To consider Report.

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

The Committee considered a report regarding the proposed changes to the Regional Adoption Agency (Adopt South West).

This sought the Committees’ views on the request from Cornwall Council to join the Regional Adoption Agency; the request from Adopt South West to revise the funding formula for each Council’s contribution to the agency; the options in terms of the timescale for phasing in any agreed change in funding arising from a change in formula.

The Committee was generally supportive of the proposal and that the position re Isle of Scilly (Ofsted judgement) be included in the decision making report.

To consider the response from the Executive.

The Committee considered and agreed the report of the External Placements Task and Finish Group at the meeting held on 6 March 2023. Click on the following link to view the report considered and agreed at the meeting on 6 March 2023 – External Placements Task and Finish Group

Note – the Chair will allow 15 minutes for this agenda item.

The Committee had considered and agreed the report of the External Placements Task and Finish Group at its meeting on 6 March 2023.

Further to the meeting on 4 May 2023, the Committee considered the update from Cllr Tessa Munt, the Executive lead member for Childrens Services on the recommendations made by the External Placements Task and Finish Group.

The Committee noted the update.

To receive presentation.

This item will be led by the Council’s Strategic Manager, Julia Ridge.

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

The Committee noted the presentation on the learning from the West Somerset Opportunity Area programme.

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)  Education Data – information / briefing note will be provided by Amelia Walker, Service Director Education Partnerships and Skills

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.

Noted that the briefing on Education Data will now be circulated after the meeting. There will be a presentation on this at the November meeting.