Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel – 22 February 2010

PRESENT:  Councillor Wilson in the chair.

Councillors C Sherwood (vice-chairman), Mrs Bromby, Cawsey, Simpson, P Vickers and Whiteley.

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

Councillors Barker, Poole and Smith attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

107  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.

108  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK There were no requests received.

109  CORPORATE PARENTING REVIEW – Discussions with Mick Gibbs, Assistant Director Children’s Services and Paul Cowling, Service Manager Children and Families – The Chair welcomed Mick and Paul to the meeting and invited them to provide an overview of what Corporate Parenting is and how this is delivered.

Members received a visual presentation, which outlined what corporate parenting involved.  Members were informed that when a child is in the care of the local authority, the council and its partners had a duty to provide for a child’s needs in the way that a good parent would, known as collective caring

Members were advised that the Children Act 2004 required the council to take the lead, via its Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and its Director of Children’s Services.  Paul Cowling outlined the key responsibilities for elected members and senior officers and also key partners such as schools, health and youth justice organisations.

Members engaged in further discussions around the corporate parenting group and their pledges to the children in care, the participation in events and the celebration of their achievements, assisting the children and young people to gain employment and also ensuring that their transfer from care into their own accommodation was supported throughout this transition stage.

Resolved –  (a) That Mick Gibbs and Paul Cowling be thanked for their attendance at the meeting and for their informative presentation, and (b) that the position be noted.

110  (12)  TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE THE DRAFT REPORT ON SCHOOL ABSENCE IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE FOR SUBMISSION TO FULL COUNCIL IN MARCH 2010 – The panel engaged in discussion over the content, conclusions and recommendations made within the report.  It was agreed that the report be presented to the next Council meeting on 17 March 2010.

Resolved – That the report on the reviewon school absence in North Lincolnshire be approved and submitted to council for its consideration.

111  (13) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – FEBRUARY TO MAY 2010 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for February to May 2010.

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