Children & Education Scrutiny Panel – 4 September 2019
Chairman: Cllr T Foster
Venue: G02e, Church Square House, 30-40 High Street, Scunthorpe
Time: 2.00 p.m.
E-mail Address: dean.gillon@northlincs.gov.uk
AGENDA
1. Substitutions.
2. Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and personal or personal and prejudicial interests and declarations of whipping arrangements (if any).
3. Public speaking request (if any).
4. Discussion with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Culture.
4.1 Discussion on the Cabinet Member’s portfolio, priorities etc.
4.2 Next stages (if any)
5. Added item (if any).
6. Any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent by reason of special circumstances which must be specified.
MINUTES
PRESENT:- Councillor T Foster in the Chair.
Councillors Yeadon (Vice-Chair), Armiger, Clark, Mitchell, Mumby-Croft, and Wells.
Statutory Co-opted Members: W Egan and G Marsden (Church Representatives).
The panel met at the Church Square House, High Street, Scunthorpe.
5 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – Cllr Clark declared a personal interest as his relative worked in Children’s Services.
No whip was declared.
6 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.
7 DISCUSSION WITH THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND CULTURE – The Chairman welcomed Cllr Rose, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Culture, to the meeting. The Chairman explained that Cllr Rose had been invited to update members on his portfolio, ongoing work and developments, and to respond to members’ questions on relevant issues.
Cllr Rose gave a verbal update on key developments, successes and challenges in the areas of education, children’s services, and culture. Cllr Rose highlighted that, despite excellent results from recent Ofsted inspections, services were determined to continue to improve. Cllr Rose also described how North Lincolnshire Council’s innovative and inclusive work on the Imagination Library had improved literacy and communication for children and young people, with one of the highest take-up rates in the world.
Cllr Rose discussed school exclusions in some depth, responding to members’ questions about promoting good behaviour and safeguarding children. Cllr Rose also highlighted ongoing work on mental health, adoption and fostering, and North Lincolnshire’s new safeguarding arrangements.
Resolved – (a) That Cllr Rose be thanked for his attendance, the update, and for providing answers to members’ questions, and (b) that the situation be noted.
8 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.