northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT: Councillor Wilson in the chair.

Councillors Briggs, Cawsey, Eckhardt, Sidell, Simpson 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)

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

93 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.

94 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on 21 September 2009, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chair.

95 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received

96 SCRUTINY REVIEW – SCHOOL ABSENCE

(i) (8) Background information on North Lincolnshire Council’s Education Welfare Service – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated information that had been provided by the Education Welfare Team. This showed the structure of the team, the number of Education Welfare Officers (EWO’s) and their support staff.

Members engaged in discussions over the perceived low number of education welfare officers currently employed within North Lincolnshire and the ratio for schools that they were appointed to. Members requested a breakdown for each of the EWO’s and which schools they were responsible for, it was suggested that this would give an insight into what geographical area the officers were expected to cover and also who had the responsibility for the targeted schools.

Further questions were asked as to whether the EWO’s were able to provide a proactive or reactive service, how the problems of children attending schools across county boundaries was addressed, how the assistance for targeted schools was delivered and how was the interactive work with the school based PCSO’s progressing. The Service Director Legal and Democratic confirmed that this information would be requested from the Principal Education Welfare Strategic Manager.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

(ii) Next stages of the review – The Service Director Legal and Democratic confirmed that Denise Hyde, Service Director Children’s Services would be attending the meeting on 19 October to advise Members on the new Integrated Children’s Services structure and also there would be a representative from the Practical Family Support team.

Members were also advised that the Head of Safeguarding Children and the Principal Education Welfare Strategic Manager would be attending a future meeting to discuss the main concerns surrounding of school absence.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

97 (9) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – OCTOBER 2009 TO JANUARY 2010 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for October 2009 to January 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.