Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Garston (substitute Cllr D McGlone), Councillor S Habermel (substitute Cllr N Folkard), Councillor C Walker (no substitute), Councillor M Butler (no substitute), M Riley (Youth Mayor - observer) and J Symmonds (Healthwatch Southend).

The Chairman advised that since the last meeting Leanne Crabb, the Healthwatch Southend representative on the Scrutiny Committee had moved to a new role at Healthwatch England and a new replacement representative will be advised in due course.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:-

(a)       Councillors Lamb, Salter and Courtenay (Executive Councillors) - interest in the called in / referred items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011;

(b)       Councillor Salter – agenda items relating to Draft General Fund Revenue Budget; STP report – non-pecuniary interest – husband is Consultant Surgeon at Southend Hospital and holds senior posts at the Hospital; son-in-law is GP; daughter is a doctor at Broomfield Hospital;

(c)       Councillor Nevin - agenda item relating to STP report - non-pecuniary – 2 children work at MEHT; step sister works at Basildon Hospital; previous association at Southend and MEHT Hospitals; NHS employee in Trust outside area;

(d)       Councillor Mulroney – agenda item relating to Draft General Fund Revenue Budget - non-pecuniary – member of Leigh Town Council;

(e)       Councillor Borton – agenda item relating to STP – non-pecuniary – daughter is nurse at Rochford Hospital;

(f)        Councillor Folkard - agenda item relating to STP – non-pecuniary – relation works at Broomfield Hospital; Ambassador for fund raising team at Southend Hospital;

(g)       Councillor Nevin – agenda item relating to School Admission Arrangements for Community Schools – disclosable pecuniary interest - withdrew from meeting during consideration of this item (Councillor Davies took Chair for this agenda item).

(h)      Councillor Phillips – agenda item relating to School Admission Arrangements for Community Schools – disclosable pecuniary interest – withdrew from meeting during consideration of this item;

(i)        Councillor Chalk – agenda item relating to School Admission Arrangements for Community Schools – non pecuniary – Governor at Bournes Green School;

(j)         Councillor Boyd – agenda item relating to School Admission Arrangements for Community Schools – non pecuniary – owns a property in Leigh-on-Sea;

(k)       Councillor Salter - agenda item relating to School Admission Arrangements for Community Schools – non pecuniary - Lives in Chalkwell Hall School Catchment area;

(l)        Councillor Lamb - agenda item relating to School Admission Arrangements for Community Schools – non pecuniary - Lives in West Leigh Catchment Area and Governor of West Leigh Junior School;

(m)     Councillor Mulroney - agenda item relating to School Admission Arrangements for Community Schools – non-pecuniary – lives in North Street Junior School catchment area;

(n)      Councillor Arscott - agenda item relating to School Admissions for Community Schools – non-pecuniary – lives within Darlinghurst School catchment area;

(o)       Councillor Arscott - agenda item relating to Schools Progress report – non pecuniary – Governor at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School;

(p)       Councillor Boyd - agenda item relating to School Progress report – non-pecuniary – Governor at Westcliff High School for Girls and South East Essex Academy Trust, south east Essex Teaching School Alliance;

(q)       Councillor Borton - agenda item relating to Schools Progress report – non-pecuniary – Governor at Milton Hall School;

(r)        Councillor Jones – agenda item relating to Schools Progress report – non-pecuniary – parent of child attending school and governor;

(s)       Councillor Chalk -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 682.

Councillor Courtenay, the Executive Councillor for Children & Learning responded to 2 written questions from Mr Webb and Councillor Salter, the Executive Councillor for Health and Adult Social Care responded to 2 written questions from Mr Fieldhouse.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 28^th November, 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 18th January 2018. The relevant Minute and report has been referred direct to all Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 647 of Cabinet held on 18^th January 2018, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees together with a report of the Corporate Management Team setting out the draft programme of capital projects for the period 2018/19 to 2021/22.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

Note:- This is an Executive Function save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 13th February 2018 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Lamb

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 18th January 2018. The relevant Minute and report has been referred direct to all Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 648 of Cabinet held on 18^th January 2018, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees together with a report of the Corporate Management Team detailing the fees and charges for services in 2018/19 included in the budget proposals for 2018/19.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

Note:- This is an Executive Function save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 13^th February 2018 is a Council Function.

Executive Councillor:- Lamb

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 18^th January 2018. The relevant Minute and report has been referred direct to all Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 649 of Cabinet held on 18^th January 2018, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees, together with a report of the Corporate Management Team presenting the draft revenue budget for 2018/19.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

Note:- This is an Executive Function save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 13^th February 2018 is a Council Function.

Executive Councillor:- Lamb

Members are reminded to bring with them the most recent MPR for period ending November 2017 which was circulated recently.  Comments / questions should be made at the appropriate Scrutiny Committee relevant to the subject matter.

The Committee considered Minute 615 of Cabinet held on 9^th January 2018 together with the Monthly Performance Report (MPR) covering the period to end November 2017, which had been circulated recently.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.

Minute 617 (Cabinet Book 1 – Agenda Item 11 refers)

Called in by Councillors Jones and Nevin

The LSCB and SAB Independent Chair was in attendance for the item.

The Committee considered Minute 617 of Cabinet held on 9^th January 2018, which had been called in to Scrutiny, together with a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) setting out the annual assurance assessment for the Chief Executive and elected Members in respect of their responsibilities for safeguarding children and adults in Southend.  This contributed to the requirements of statutory guidance in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 and the Care Act 2014.

In response to a question from Councillor Jones about the future role of the Southend LSCB / SAB Scrutiny Panel, the Independent Chair confirmed that discussions were on going with regard to this matter. 

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

“That the report be noted and the actions detailed in Section 6 of the Annual Safeguarding Reports set out in Appendices 1 and 3 to the submitted report, be approved.”

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillors:- Courtenay and Salter

Minute 619 (Cabinet Book 2 – Agenda Item 13 refers)

Referred direct to the Scrutiny Committee and called in by Councillors Jones and Gilbert

The Committee considered Minute 619 of Cabinet held on 9^th January 2018 which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet and called in to Scrutiny, together with a revised report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) setting out proposed changes to policies which were recommended as part of the transport review.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

“That the following proposed policies, as per the approach identified in paragraph 3.1 of the submitted report, be adopted:

(a) Home to School Transport for Pre and Post-16 Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) (effective from 1^st September 2018) as follows:

· The Special Educational Needs Travel Assistance Policy (Appendix A) to be implemented as set out in paragraphs 3.1.2 (a) and 3.1.2 (b) of the report. The provision of ‘travel assistance’ is to be focussed on the promotion of independence and personalisation. As pupils adopt more independent alternative modes of transport then routes will be optimised.

(b) Adults with Learning Disabilities and Older Adults attending Day Centres and Activities (effective from 1st April 2018) as follows:

· The Adult Social Care travel assistance policy (Appendix B) to be implemented as proposed in paragraph 3.1.2 (c) of the report. The focus on maximising independence will mean that travel assistance will only be provided by the Council once all alternative transport options have been considered.

· Where transport is provided by the Council, the contribution from the user is increased to the new charge of £4 per day for a return trip and £5 per day where multiple trips are applicable.

(c) Looked After Children (effective from 1st April 2018) as follows:

· The looked after children and young people travel assistance policy (Appendix C) to be implemented as proposed in paragraph 3.1.2 (d) of the report.

(d) Dial-a-Ride (effective from 1st April 2018) as follows:

· The Dial-a-Ride policy (Appendix D) to be implemented as proposed in 3.1.2 e) of the report.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillors: Courtenay, Moring and Salter.

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 29^th January 2018. The relevant Minute and report will be referred direct to the  Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 662 of the special Cabinet held on 29^th January 2018 which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet, together with a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People). This updated Cabinet about the formal consultation on the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP). This consultation runs from 20^th November 2017 – 9^th March 2018.

In response to questions, the Executive Councillor confirmed that the following additional comment would be included in the suggested response set out in Option B – “recognise the challenge for workforce in recruitment, retention and long-term sustainability of the health and social care workforce”.

Resolved:-

1.     That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

Note: That this is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor: Salter

The report will be circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 29^th January 2018. The relevant Minute and report will be referred direct to the  Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 663 of the special Cabinet held on 29^th January 2018 which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet, together with a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People). This presented an evaluation of the response to the Council’s public consultation on Admission Arrangements for Community Schools for the academic year 2019/20.

The report also sought approval of the catchment areas within the Admission Arrangements for Community Schools for the academic year 2019/20; the oversubscription criteria (including explanatory notes) and the PAN (Published Admission Numbers) within the Admission Arrangements for Community Schools for the academic year 2019/20.

The Committee thanked officers for their sterling work in this area.

The Director for Learning advised that some minor changes needed to be made to the report at Appendix 2 (Admission Arrangements for Community Schools September 2019 round of admissions), as follows:-

Oversubscription criteria for community schools

Chalkwell Hall Infant School (page 4)- reword point 5 as:-

5. Pupils who live outside the catchment area who have a sibling attending the school or Chalkwell Hall Junior School

Chalkwell Hall Junior School (page 4) – reword point 6 as:-

6. Pupils who live outside the catchment area who have a sibling attending the school or Chalkwell Hall Infant School

Heycroft Primary School (page 5) reword point 2 as:-

2. Pupils who live in the catchment area and who have a sibling attending the school

Resolved:-

1.     That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

“1.  That no changes be made to the current 2018 catchment areas (with the exception of small changes to the catchment area of Fairways Primary School as set out in paragraphs 3.78-85 of the submitted report) and that the Council determines (i.e. formally agrees) the Catchment Areas within the Admission Arrangements for Community Schools for the Academic Year 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report.

2.  That changes be made to the oversubscription criteria (including explanatory notes) and PAN (Published Admission Numbers) as set out in paragraphs 3.86 to 3.94 of the submitted report and that the Council determines (i.e. formally agrees) these same matters within the Admission Arrangements for Community Schools for the Academic Year 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report.

3.  That it be noted that the Determined Coordinated Admission Scheme for the academic year 2019/20 was published on 31st December 2017.”

2.     To note the minor changes to Appendix 2 to the report (Admission Arrangements for Community Schools September 2019 round of admissions), as set out in the preamble above.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillor: Courtenay

The Chairman agreed to the addition of this tem to the agenda. The item had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet at the special meeting on 29^th January 2018 to enable a decision on the extension of the contract to be determined at the earliest opportunity (Minute 664 refers).

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) that provided an update on the commissioning of children’s services for Southend Borough Council (SBC), including the value for money and outcomes delivered by the 0-5 Service.  The report also sought approval of an exception to tender for the contract with Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) for the provision of the 0-5 Service by a period of 12 months to 31 March 2019.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

“1. That the current commissioning arrangements for children’s services for Southend, including the value for money and outcomes delivered by 0-5 Service be noted.

2.  That the exception to tender for the 0-5s service which will facilitate the extension of the contract with EPUT for the 0-5 Service by a period of 12 months to 31 March 2019, be approved.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillor Salter

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (People) – to follow

The Committee received and considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which informed the Committee on the current position with regard to the performance of all schools, including those schools causing concern and updated on known Academy developments. The Director of Learning also provided a verbal update on recent Ofsted Inspections.

Resolved:-

1.     That the report be noted.

2.     That congratulations be forwarded to Shoeburyness High School and also to Our Lady of Lourdes on the outcomes of their recent Ofsted Inspections.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor:- Courtenay

During consideration of the Schools Progress Report (Minute 694) the hour of 10 pm was reached and the Committee agreed to continue with the remaining items of business on the agenda.

Report of Chief Executive – to follow

The Committee received and considered a report of the Chief Executive which updated the Committee on the in depth Scrutiny project – ‘Connecting communities to avoid isolation’.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is a Scrutiny Function