northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT: Councillor Wilson in the chair.

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

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

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

118 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.

119 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 8 March 2010, having been printed and circulated amongst the members be amended to quote 10 pilot schools in minute number 117, rather than 5, and (b) following the amendment be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chair.

120 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.

121 (16) LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP – PERFORMANCE MONITORING QUARTER 3 REPORT CHILDRENS BOARD – Discussions with Denise Hyde, Service Director for Children and Young People – The chair welcomed the above to the meeting to discuss quarter three performance of the Local Strategic Partnership Childrens Board.

Denise explained that she had taken the opportunity, to introduce Susan Twemlow, the newly appointed Assistant Director, Localities and Partnerships. The panel was advised that Susan would be attending the scrutiny meetings in future to deliver the quarterly performance figures.

Members were referred to the priority indicators that were ‘off track by exception’. Denise explained that the reason for information not being available was due to the reporting methods, the consolidation of figures by the National Statistics Office and how the time delays in the reporting methods often lead to misleading information.

Members engaged in discussions about the results for performance indicators NI 101, NI 112 and NI 117 which had seen a decline in the last year which had been attributed to the current economic climate. Denise explained that in order to address the worsening situation with NEETs, a great deal of work had been undertaken to increase the number of apprenticeship places available within North Lincolnshire and also increase the number of college placements.

Susan Twemlow explained that the information for NI 94 was still not available due to the delays that had occurred with the marking of SAT results in 2009, results would not be confirmed until later in the year.

The discussions were summarised by Denise Hyde, who confirmed that the Childrens Board was moving in the right direction and that they expected to hit many of the targets, but could not yet comment on those that had not yet been set.

122 (17) CORPORATE PARENTING REVIEW – Update – The chair expressed his concerns over the poor attendance at the Corporate Training event that had been provided for all elected members of North Lincolnshire Council. It was acknowledged however that there had been good attendance from members of this panel.

It was requested that the Service Director Legal and Democratic obtain a list of those elected members who had attended the training session, to ascertain whether there were outstanding training issues. It was explained that it was a requirement of any corporate parent to attend a training session prior to them undertaking their role and having any engagement with looked after children.

The Service Director Legal and Democratic confirmed details of the proposed visits to Cambridge House, The Grove and The Poplar, and confirmed attendance. It was agreed that there would be more direction for the review, once members had been able to engage with the looked after children and obtain their perspective on issues.

Further discussions ensued as to who was in post as the virtual headteacher, whether it would be beneficial to get feedback from the foster carers, and how the peer mentoring groups within schools are able to assist a child in care when they are being bullied.

Resolved – (a) That the Service Director Legal and Democratic ascertain who is the virtual head, and (b) that the information be noted

123 (18) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – MARCH TO JUNE 2010 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for March to June 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.