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 any personal or prejudicial interests not included on the registry of interests, any prejudicial interests or discloseable pecuniary interests which they might have in respect of the business on the agenda. Cllr Taylor confirmed he had a personal non prejudicial interest on item 4, Attendance of Chair of York@Large, that he was a member of Guild of Media Arts.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2016.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Learning & Culture Policy and Scrutiny Committee held on 27 January 2016 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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 Friday 18 March 2016.  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 this meeting may be filmed and webcast or audio recorded and that includes 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 https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

The Chief Executive of Be Independent  had registered to speak under public participation, in relation to the Committees remit, to highlight the specialist care equipment they had available to hire, on a short term rental agreement, to all holiday accommodation owners in York. The equipment allowed owners to adapt their accommodation to support a disabled person using simple adaptations such as, raised toilet seats, bath boards, shower chairs, hospital beds and special mattresses.  Be Independent delivered and installed  the equipment and because none needed permanent fixings they were easy to remove ready to be reused. Be Independent would be marketing their offer and launching a big campaign which would include attendance at three national conferences to promote the equipment.

The Chair of York@Large will be in attendance at the meeting to provide an update on how the organisation has been working with the Council and other partners to deliver joint services since it provided its last update in January 2015.

The Chair of York@Large was in attendance to provide Members with an update on how the organisation had been working with the Council and other partners to deliver joint services.

The Chair gave an update and spoke about the progress made over the last year and discussed how York@Large had been raising the profile of the sector, increasing its impact and developing the capacity.

He also confirmed that York@large:

·        were working on a national project called the Cultural Commissioning Programme.

·        had been asked by council officers to be a critical friend and comment on the role of culture in the Local Plan process.

·        were facilitating a new York Cultural Education Partnership, with support from the regional Bridge Organisation, Cape UK.

Members noted that Make it York were managing York’s first culture awards later this year and discussions took place on ways to raise the profile of the sector to ensure all events were advertised in the most appropriate places.

In answer to Members questions it was confirmed that:

·        The Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2015 attracted 28k attendances over 4 days.

·        The workspace used in Acomb was used for a pop up shop that was no longer open.

·        The Guildhall would provide managed work space for small creative businesses.

·        Vespertine had achieved one of its aims and officers would be looking to extend the marketing if budgets would allow.

·        A number of different projects were being discussed with officers in public health and social care, including an offer to support the commissioning for wellbeing.

The Chair thanked officers for their update.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:    To ensure that Members are kept updated on the work of York@Large

The report will present the latest bi-annual update from the Chair of City of York Safeguarding Children Board.

Members consider a report that presented the latest bi-annual update from the Chair of City of York Safeguarding Children Board.

Officers gave an update and confirmed that:

·        A national review of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) was underway and they were waiting for the final report.

·        Ofsted would be carrying out a new joint targeted area inspection of services for vulnerable children and young people.

·        The Department for Education had launched a successful nation-wide communication campaign on child abuse and neglect.

·        The Board had 5 thematic priorities, which were, neglect, child sexual abuse and missing, domestic abuse and early help.

Officers discussed their thematic priorities and in answer to Members questions they confirmed that:

·        the Strategy and Policy Group Manager would be in attendance to answer committee’s questions at the next update.

·        neglect cases had risen due to a growing awareness and was expected to rise due to further campaigns, understanding and intervention.

·        attendance at the Safeguarding Board meetings was good with contributions from each agency, with a range of partners Chairing the sub groups.

·        they would provide Members with further information on therapeutic support that was available for adults who were child victims of abuse.

·        400 parents had attended training sessions that highlighted how their children could stay safe online.

·        The It’s Not Ok campaign had not ended and depending on future funding arrangements a decision would be taken on how this work would continue.

·        Child Sexual Abuse training would be rolled out across the entire public transport fleet.

·        The policies and processes for notifications regarding child death abroad were being looked at by agencies to ensure it was treated in the most appropriate way.

Members thanked officers for their update.

Resolved: 

(i)      That the report be noted.

(ii)      That further information on the therapeutic support for adults who were child victims of abuse be distributed to Members.¹   

Reason: To allow Members to be fully informed on key children’s safeguarding issues in York and to support Members challenge in this.

This report analyses the latest performance for 2015/16 by reference to the service plans and budgets for all of the relevant services falling under the responsibility of the Director of Communities & Neighbourhoods and the Director of Children’s Services, Education & Skills.

Members considered a report that informed them of the latest performance for 2015/16 by reference to the service plans and budgets for all of the relevant services falling under the responsibility of the Director of Communities & Neighbourhoods and the Director of Children’s Services, Education and Skills.

Officers gave an update and Members discussed:

·        The walk to school week campaign.

·        The fall in youth unemployment figures.

·        The rise in the business tourism figures.

·        The rise in homelessness.

·        Child Protection Plans

·        GCSE results and level 3 qualifications for Looked After Children.

In answer to Members questions Officers confirmed:

·        they would continue to monitor any fall in indicators

·        the number of children who were placed back onto a Child Protection Plan was relatively small and social workers would review the decisions to see if there was any flawed reasons.   

·        GCSE indicators had been discontinued and would be replaced by a new measuring system known as Progress 8 and Attainment 8. 

·        the overall attainment of a 19 year old achieving a level 3 qualification was currently very strong.

·        colleges would be focusing on progressing pupils from a level 2 to a 3, including in Maths and English.

The Chair thanked officers for their update and Members noted and accepted that the finance information would be reported in full detail at the next Learning & Culture Policy and Scrutiny Committee.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Reason: To update the committee on the latest financial and performance position for 2015/16.

This report provides Members with an update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from four previously completed scrutiny reviews. These are the Disabled Access Scrutiny Review; the  Entrepreneurship in Schools Review; the School Meals Scrutiny Review; and the Careers, Education, Information & Guidance (CEIAG) Scrutiny Review.

Members considered a report that provided them with an update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from four previously completed scrutiny reviews.

Members agreed to sign off the recommendations that were listed under the following roman numerals in Annex A, B1, C and D of the report:

a.           Disabled Access Scrutiny Review, including Make it York recommendations:

·        i), iv)

·        xi), xii), xv)

b.      Entrepreneurship in Schools Scrutiny Review:

·        i), iv), v)   

c.       School Meals Scrutiny Review:

·        i), ii), iii), iv), v), vi

d.      Careers, Education, Information & Guidance (CEIAG) Scrutiny Review:

·        iv), v), vi), 

Members noted how the introduction of free school meals in Key Stage 1had inevitably increased the number of pupils eating a school meal each day and agreed officers should continue to monitor the impact on schools when those children move into KS2.

Members agreed the remaining recommendations were still not fully implemented and agreed to receive a further update on these recommendations at a future meeting.

Resolved:

(i)           That the above recommendations, highlighted in Annex A, B1, C and D, be signed off as fully implemented.

(ii)          That a school meals update be received at a future meeting.

(iii)        That the outstanding recommendations be reviewed again in six months.

Reason: To raise awareness of those recommendations which are fully implemented or need further reviewing.

This draft final report presents information gathered in support on the scrutiny review of the York Museums Trust Service Level Agreement (SLA), together with the Task Group’s draft recommendations for consideration by the committee.

Members considered a report that presented information gathered to date in support of the review and asked them to consider the options brought forward to meet the scrutiny review objectives. 

The Task Group gave an update and confirmed they considered the current arrangements between the Council and York Museums Trust (YMT) to help them develop a revised framework.

The Scrutiny Officer confirmed that following publication of the draft final report, further feedback from a member of the public had been received.  Members considered this and agreed that it should be added to the relevant annex prior to the final report being presented to the Executive.

Members thanked the Task Group for their comprehensive report

Resolved: 

(i)           That the additional response, from the member of the public, be added to the final report

(ii)          That the draft recommendations as listed in paragraph 24 to 26 of the report be endorsed and reported at Executive

Reason:  To inform the future renewed agreement between YMT and the Council, and to conclude this review in line with scrutiny procedures & protocols

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s workplan for the remainder of the 2015-16 municipal year.

Members considered the committee’s work plan for the remainder of the 2015-16 municipal year.

The Scrutiny Officer suggested  that the following be slipped to the June Learning & Culture Policy & Scrutiny Committee:

·        The attendance of the Executive Member for Education, Children & Young Peoples Services

·        The attendance of the Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism.

Resolved:   (i)   That the work plan be agreed subject to the  amendments detailed above.

          (ii)   That the June meeting be changed to 15 June 2016

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