Agenda and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda

Members were asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of business on the agenda.

Cllr Crawshaw declared a personal non prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 (Attendance of Executive Member for Economic Development & Community Engagement) in that his mother was a member of the Human Rights Board and in agenda item 7 (City of York Council Safeguarding Report) in that his partner worked as a clinical psychologist to looked after children throughout North Yorkshire. 

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2018.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Children, Education & Communities Policy & Scrutiny Committee held on 12 June 2018 be approved as a correct record and then signed by the Chair.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 9 July 2018.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officers for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

 Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission.  The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts  or, if sound recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officers (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

The following Executive Members will be in attendance to provide an update on their priorities and challenges for the 2018-19 municipal year.

•           Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism - Cllr Ayre  (report to follow)

•           Executive Member for Economic Development & Community Engagement– Cllr Aspden

The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism and the Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement were in attendance to provide an update on their priorities and challenges for the 2018/19 municipal year.

The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism highlighted key points around his portfolio area and Members noted that:

·        The Active Lives Survey results, published in March 2018, showed that York had a higher percentage of people who were physically active compared with national and regional averages.

·        The Move More York campaign would be launched this summer.

·        Executive would be considering a report on 12 July that sought consent to invest in improved sports facilities at Burnholme Community Hub. The proposals would provide a health and wellbeing campus that included increased opening hours and a fitness gym with inclusive and accessible equipment.

·        Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) managed Energise and Yearsley Pool and were supporting the refurbishment at Burnholme.

·        Work continued on the Community Stadium and Leisure Complex at Monks Cross and plans were progressing on a bid to use York and the new stadium as one of the host cities for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

·        The Cultural Strategy was progressing and would include new opportunities to showcase the city.

·        The opening of the new library facilities at Centre@Burnholme had developed a community hub which incorporated many facilities and learning spaces including sound proof music/recording studios.

As a result of questions raised by Members the Executive Member responded and it was noted that:

·        The libraries contract was adaptable to ensure York residents continued to receive an improved service over the next 15 years and a provision was in place for the maintenance of library buildings.

·         The Executive Member would consult with Explore to ensure York residents, when purchasing a York Card, were made aware that GLL did not accept it at its sporting facilities.

·        The Cultural Strategy should include the vibrant music scene on offer in the city and create space and opportunities for the youth culture.

·        The use of a permitted area where local events could be advertised would be a valuable addition to the city centre.

Members thanked the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism for his update and they noted that officers were in the process of agreeing a new three year service level agreement with Make it York.

The Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement highlighted key points around the new funding system for ward committees and he referred to a variety of ward schemes that had resulted in a positive impact on communities across the city.

Members were also informed that:

·        The remaining challenges within the Highways Capital Programme funding stream were being resolved.

·        Gratitude had been passed to the voluntary and community sector and CYC Officers in Housing and Children Services for the work undertaken to resettle refugees in York.

·        Training options (full day, half day or 1 hour) were available to any councillor who would like to receive an insight into the Armed Forces community.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The report provides an update against core partnership objectives between January and June 2018

Members considered a report that updated them on York Museums Trust (YMT) core partnership objectives between January and June 2018.

The Chief Executive of York Museums Trust was in attendance to present the report. She highlighted their key objectives and Members noted that:

·        Redevelopment plans for the Castle Museum and Castle Gateway continued in close collaboration with City of York Council.  YMT had appointed internal and external project managers to accelerate their scheme and the Chief Executive thanked Council Officers for supporting them throughout the process.

·        St Mary’s church would be used during the summer to consult with York residents and visitors on future plans for the Castle Museum.

·        YMT had won two Little Viking Awards, Best Attraction (York Castle Museum) and best Christmas Experience (York Castle Museum).

·        Sir David Attenborough opened the Yorkshire Jurassic World Exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum and visitor numbers had increased by 59%.

·        The Eboracum Roman Festival attracted over 25,000 visitors from all over the world.

·        YMT were planning a learning review over the next financial year and would be consulting with schools and teachers.

·        Statistical data regarding school visits to a YMT establishment were being collated and it was confirmed that during April to June 2018, 1431 York school pupils visited compared to 204 fee paying pupils.

Members explained the level of statistical data they would like to view and discussions took place around the YMT card and the drop in visitor numbers at the Castle Museum and Art Gallery. It was noted that statistical data around the usage of the YMT card could also be provided at a future meeting.

Members thanked officers for their update and noted that all residents of York were eligible for a half price YMT card or discount on a single admission ticket by providing a Council Tax bill as evidence that they lived in York. Members were informed that governance arrangements were ongoing and models were being considered and would be updated to Committee Members at a future meeting.

Resolved: That the update be noted.

Reason: To keep the Committee updated on the work of YMT.

This report analyses the latest performance for 2017/18 and presents the financial outturn position by reference to the service plans and budgets for all of the services falling under the responsibility of the Corporate Director of Children, Education & Communities.

Members considered a report that provided the latest performance for 2017/18 and presented the financial outturn position by reference to the service plans and budgets for all of the services falling under the responsibility of the Corporate Director of Children, Education & Communities.

The Finance Manager was in attendance to give an update and he highlighted the finance and performance headlines and Members noted that the finance position had improved in the final analysis.

He brought to Members attention some significant financial pressures in children social care, particularly around staffing and looked after children, which were currently off set by some underspends within education and skills. Members noted that these underspends were as a result of savings having been achieved in advance, so officers would be monitoring the pressures going forward.

Discussions took place around school funding particularly the additional high costs for Deansgate and the dedicated schools grant. It was noted that the high needs block was becoming a significant risk to the authority and would be monitored through an inclusion review to ensure the existing non mainstream provision met the right needs going forward.

The Finance Manager and Corporate Director of Children, Education & Communities responded to Members questions and confirmed:

·        Staff shortages in children social care were being addressed   and children social worker salaries in York were comparable to other Local Authorities. 

·        Working conditions for social workers were currently being reviewed.

·        Officers had good working relationships with higher education institutions and were part of a formal regional teaching partnership that supported student social workers.

·         Attainment gaps were closing and a more detailed report would be brought to a future Children, Education & Communities Policy & Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Members thanked the Finance Manager for his update.

Reason: That the update be noted.

Reason: To update the committee on the latest finance and performance position for 2017/18

This report is a regular annual update regarding safeguarding for City of York Council.

Members considered a report that updated them on safeguarding for City of York Council.

The Corporate Director of Children, Education & Communities gave an update and confirmed:

·        The completion of single assessments, within 45 days, had increased from 59.6% to 88.38%.

·        Officers were addressing the timeliness of Initial Health Assessments and Repeat Health Assessments.

·        Neglect remained the most prevalent reason for children being subject to child protection plans and staff had been trained to use the Graded Care Profile.

·        Children in care numbers remained stable.

·        The Hestia Group research undertaken by York University resulted in a positive performance for York.

·        The development of a holistic service for disabled children and their families was in progress and the new purpose built centre should be open in spring 2020.

·        A comprehensive review of the city’s placement offer for all children in care of the local authority was in progress and should be completed in April 2019.

·        The U Matter Survey had taken place with the majority of responses resulting in a positive response.

Members thanked the Corporate Director for his update and following discussions around neglect and changes to senior staff positions it was noted that key senior posts would be advertised and would be filled on an interim basis. The Corporate Director agreed to update Members further on progress at the next meeting.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Reason: To keep the Committee updated.

This report provides an update on the development of a cultural strategy for York.

Members considered a report that provided an update on the development of a Cultural Strategy for York.

The Assistant Director of Communities & Equalities gave an overview of the process, the objectives and confirmed workshops and focus groups would be taking place to ensure York residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds could participate in the development of the strategy.

Members noted that ArtReach would be undertaking the work alongside York Cultural Leaders Group and Make it York and they would be consulting with the sector and local people extensively through July and August.  Further workshops would take place in September to consider the feedback received and members of this committee would also be invited to participate.

Members thanked the Assistant Director for his update and noted that the aim was to have a Cultural Strategy in place by December 2018.

The Chair stated that the consultation day lead by the Managing Director of ArtReach was very informative.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Reason:   To keep Members updated on the development of a Cultural Strategy for York.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s work plan for the 2018/19 municipal year.

Members considered the committee’s work plan for the 2018/19 municipal year.

Members noted that a new Scrutiny Officer had been appointed and would be taking up post in August.

Following discussion it was agreed that a verbal update on children safeguarding and senior officer posts would be given at the next meeting.

Resolved: That the work plan be approved subject to the above amendments/additions.

Reason: To keep the committee’s work plan updated.