Agenda and minutes

None

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2015 were agreed and signed by the chair.

Rav Kalsi, Senior Governance Officer outlined how the meeting was going to progress, in order for the panel to agree topics to scrutinise in the next municipal year. Four Senior Officers were asked to present their service area to the board.

Children in Care

Steve Comb, Head of Children in Care delivered the first workshop and the following points were highlighted:

a)  There are currently 581 children in care;

b)  Nottingham City have 91.3 per 10,000 child population;

c)  The children in care live in Nottingham City Council and private run homes, with fostering families (both agency and Nottingham City Council) and some children are also placed into kin fostering;

d)  Many children in care will have experienced some neglect and/or abuse. As a result, attachment disorders can form;

e)  Nottingham City Council looks to establish permanence for children in care and start this pursuit through adoption.

Following a question and answer session, the following topics were highlighted for further scrutiny:

i)  Kin fostering regulations;

ii)  Demographics for children in care;

iii)  Specialist skills for adoption/foster families;

iv)  Foster carers from different faiths and nationalities;

v)  Adoption for children with complex needs, disabilities or from minority ethnic backgrounds;

vi)  Care leavers service;

vii)  Education for Children in Care.

Major Programmes

Rob Caswell, Programme Manager delivered a workshop to the panel outlining work which is undertaken by Major Programmes. The repairs and maintenance with schools was discussed and also, the expansion of a number of schools such as Rosslyn Park, Bluecoat Primary and Nottingham Academy. It was highlighted that once these children reach secondary school, there will then be an issue with a shortage of places at secondary schools within the city. Schools which offer education from ages 3-19 are increasing.

The following topics were highlighted for scrutiny by the panel:

i)  Timescales for expansions;

ii)  Future planning for place shortages;

iii)  Secondary school expansions.

Commercialism

Ken Lyon (Programme Manager) outlined 14 trading areas which could be scrutinised by the panel. Each of these areas has a budget growth target and investment is needed in some of the areas, in order to sustain growth.

The panel had a brief discussion and the following areas were identified:

i)  Impact of commercialism on areas;

ii)  Service area costs (financial scrutiny);

iii)  Highways and sub contractors;

iv)  Adults provision;

v)  Garage services.

Access and Learning

Nick Lee, Head of Access and Learning delivered the final workshop to the panel. He briefly outlined the problems which schools are facing such as term times, behaviour and admissions. Nick Lee stated that many secondary schools within the city are now academies and are not run by Nottingham City Council. Officers from within the council will need to work with these schools, in order to address certain issues.

The following areas were highlighted for discussion:

i)  Attendance and behaviour;

ii)  Term times and holidays;

iii)  Admissions and lack of school places.

The panel agreed to cancel the meeting scheduled for 8^th April 2015.