northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT: Councillor Wilson in the chair.

Councillors Mrs Bromby (vice-chair), Cawsey, C Sherwood, Sidell, Simpson and Whiteley.

Statutory Co-opted Members: Mr P Bacon and Mrs A Dunkerley (Parent Governor Representative), Mr W Egan (Church Representative)

Councillor Smith attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure 37 (b)

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

65 DECLARATIONS – OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

66 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received

67 POLICY REVIEW – PLAY AREAS AND OPEN SPACES IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE –

(i) To interview Councillor O’Sullivan, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture – The Chair welcomed Councillor O’Sullivan to the meeting and provided a brief overview of the review so far.

Councillor O’Sullivan explained that the play areas and open spaces did not fall under the remit of her portfolio, however she was happy to speak about the ongoing work of the Play Strategy Implementation Group. The panel was advised that officers and members had been involved with the review of the local play strategy, this had taken a great deal of time, however it had been necessary to broaden the parameters to meet the needs of young and old people alike.

Discussions continued about who attended the Play Strategy meetings, whether the correct people were present, how the membership had been agreed and also attendance. Councillor O’Sullivan confirmed that the play strategy group had approached all Service Director asking for nominations of representatives from their department. In addition, the group was working with the Wellbeing and Health Improvement Partnership (WHIP) Board and also other partnership agencies. The panel was advised that attendance would be enforced and that substitutions would be necessary, if anyone was unable to attend.

Members of the panel engaged in further questions with Councillor O’Sullivan, covering issues such as; whether it would be feasible to make more use of the local schools facilities and what problems would be encountered by this, whether play was at the top of North Lincolnshire Councils’ agenda and how the Councillor O’Sullivan, felt the Wave 3 – Play Pathfinder/Play – Building Fund could be best utilised.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that Councillor O’Sullivan, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture be thanked for her attendance at the meeting.

68 (ii) To receive an update from the chair/vice-chairman on the Wave 3 – Play Pathfinder/ Play – Building Funding – The chair and vice-chairman confirmed that they had both attended a meeting of the play strategy group that morning, and confirmed that the project plan was needed by the end of the week.

It was explained that the group was working to an exceedingly tight timescale, that the project plan was only the first stage, and that a more detailed paper would be needed by the end of March 2009.

Members of the panel were advised that there were concerns over the pressure that these timescales would have, and more significantly on certain play equipment manufacturers, as this was a national project, with many other local councils also vying for funding and better play facilities.

The chair and vice-chairman confirmed that the work of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel would be fed into the assessment. Focus had to be on innovative ideas, with additional and better facilities.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

69 (iii) To discuss future site visits – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated details of the rescheduled site visits and recommended dates. It was agreed that members of the panel would liaise with the Democratic Services Officer in attendance, and confirm which of the proposed visits they would be able to attend.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

70 (iv) Next Stages – The Service Director Legal and Democratic reaffirmed that the two remaining site visits would be completed and details would be circulated to members accordingly.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

71 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE SUB-GROUP CURRENTLY CARRYING OUT A RE-VISIT OF THE COMMON ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK (CAF) – The Chair invited Councillor Mrs Bromby to provide members of the panel with an overview of how this revisit had progressed, notes of all interviews had been circulated to all members for perusal.

Councillor Mrs Bromby confirmed that several interviews had been undertaken, and that the sub group had also taken on board information that had been forthcoming at the head teachers event held in March 2008, when the panel was conducting the review into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The panel was advised that following a meeting with Dave Basker, Head of Practice, Children and Families, and also Andy Meikle, Service Manager, Children and Families, that the concerns raised at the head teachers event had been taken on board and that several visits to speak to staff within schools had been conducted.

Members were advised of the ongoing praise that had been received, for the work undertaken and completed by the CAF coordinator and also the Children in Need Coordinator. The panel was also advised that representatives from the Primary Care Trust had also been interviewed, with many concerns being raised over the effective usage of the CAF.

Councillor Mrs Bromby concluded her summary and advised that the next stages of this revisit would be to produce a draft report, and to speak to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and also the Service Director, Children, Strategy and Partnership.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

72 PERFORMANCE MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS – The Chair invited the Service Director Legal and Democratic Service to address the panel.

Members were advised that meetings had taken place with the Performance Manager, Scrutiny Officers and also the Manager of the Local Strategic Partnership, to map out an acceptable solution for overview and scrutiny’s involvement within the Performance Monitoring Arrangements. A solution had been reached, and this had been presented to chairs and vice-chairmen at the last meeting of the Scrutiny Coordinating Panel for approval.

The Service Director Legal and Democratic confirmed that the arrangements had been approved and referred members of the panel to the information that had been circulated.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that the appropriate thematic lead, be invited to attend a future meeting of the panel.

73 TO DISCUSS AREAS FOR THE NEXT REVIEW TOPIC TO BE SCRUTINISED BY THIS PANEL – The Chair invited members of the panel to suggest a topic for the next review.

Consideration was given to teenage pregnancies within North Lincolnshire, absence rates from school, however after much discussion, it was agreed that the ‘entitlement to early learning and care for three and four year olds’ should be the next topic for review.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted, and (b) that the Service Director Learning, Schools and Communities be invited to attend the next scheduled meeting of the panel, to brief the panel on its preferred next review topic.

74 (7) CARE QUALITY COMMISSION – VOICES FOR POWER – PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE OF CARE QUALITY – For information – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated a copy of the consultation document for information purposes only. It was agreed to discuss in more detail once members had had the opportunity to digest the contents and comments would be welcomed.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

75 (8) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN -FEBRUARY TO MAY 2009 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for February to May 2009.

The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis. Members discussed various items on the Forward Plan.

Resolved – That the position be noted.