Children and Education Scrutiny Panel – 12 June 2020
Chairman: Cllr T Foster
Venue: Virtual meeting Microsoft Teams
Time: 10 a.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. To take the minutes of the meetings of the panel held on 10 February 2020 as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign.
4. Public speaking request (if any).
5. Education in North Lincolnshire – discussion with the Director: Learning, Skills and Culture and the Director: Public Health
6. Childhood Emotional Health and Wellbeing – draft action plan
6.1 Discussion with representatives from North Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire CCG,
6.2 Consideration of comments to submit to Cabinet (if any)
7. Added item (if any)
8. 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, Evison, K Vickers and Wells.
Statutory Co-opted Members: P Whittaker (Parent Governor Representative) and G Marsden (Church Representative).
The panel met via MS Teams.
23 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – Mrs Whittaker declared a personal interest as a North Lincolnshire Foster Carer.
No whip was declared.
24 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of this panel held on 10 February 2020, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chairman.
25 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.
26 EDUCATION IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – The Chairman welcomed Pete Thorpe, Director: Learning, Skills and Culture, and Penny Spring, Director of Public Health, to the meeting. The Chairman explained that Pete and Penny had been invited to discuss the current and planned situation within educational institutions within North Lincolnshire, arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pete confirmed that the council’s main responsibilities were around landlord functions, with all work and assurance in this area up to date, and around issuing guidance and supporting schools, colleges and other facilities. Operational issues remained the responsibility of Headteachers and Governors, but mechanisms were in place to maintain dialogue and enable support, if required.
The Chairman led a discussion on relevant issues, with members asking questions about home schooling, independent scrutiny of school decisions, school support, and the national picture re: vaccination and spread of the virus. Pete and Penny responded appropriately throughout.
Resolved – (a) That Pete Thorpe and Penny Spring be thanked for their attendance and for answering members’ questions, and (b) that arrangements to put in place to ensure that the panel remained informed of the situation.
27 CHILDHOOD EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING – DRAFT ACTION PLAN – The chairman welcomed Darren Chaplin, Head of Access and Inclusion, and Helena Dent, Senior Commissioning Manager – Children and Maternity Services, North Lincolnshire CCG, to the meeting. The Chairman explained that Darren and Helena had been asked to present their draft action pan, which had been drafted in response to a report by the panel on local work to support childhood emotional wellbeing.
Darren and Helena gave a detailed presentation, setting the context and a series of actions in response to the panel’s recommendations. Members asked questions throughout, including on issues such as the process and timescale for assessments and treatment, local performance, plans for improvements at service level, and partner engagement. Darren and Helena gave clear and full responses throughout to these questions.
Resolved – (a) That Darren Chaplin and Helena Dent be thanked for their attendance, presentation and for answering members’ questions; (b) that the action plan be welcomed, and (c) that the panel maintain an oversight of services which support and promote the emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
28 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.