Agenda and minutes

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Learning and Community Development which updated Members on progress since the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Panel Review on Adult and Community Learning (ACL) had taken place. An officer reported that there were major changes planned in the funding and planning of ACL provisions by the Government and as such the Learning Skills Council’s allocation to the ACL indicative budget for 2006/7 would be cut by 7%. There was therefore a need to increase the fees for non-accredited learning to £2.75 per hour, however, the concessionary rate would still be maintained. It was reported that where other boroughs had increased the fee but not the concessionary rate, there had not been a significant detrimental effect.

Further to the Recommendations of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Review Panel which was appended to the report of the Director of Learning and Community Development it was

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

That (1) a question be put to the Chief Executive about whether she, as the Council’s representative on the West London Alliance, had raised the issue of support to disabled learners with a view to developing solutions for the region and giving consideration to the forthcoming pan-London round of ESF funding, the next time she and the Leader attend an Overview and Scrutiny meeting;

(2) the area of access to all Council services (of which ACL is an important part) for adults with learning difficulties and their carers be considered as a potential area for a separate review as part of the work programme for 2006/07.

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED: To note the following personal interests declared by Members:

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That (1) in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the following agenda item be admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2) all items be considered with the press and public present;

(3) that agenda item 14, Arts Culture Harrow be deferred to the Sub-Committee meeting in June 2006.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2006 and the Joint Meeting of the Lifelong Learning and Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub Committees held on 18 January 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record;

(2) the minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee and Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 18 January 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents/organisations under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 8.

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put at the meeting under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 8.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 9.

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received at the meeting under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 9.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 10.

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at the meeting under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 10.

(There will be a presentation from the Scrutiny Officer on this matter.)

The Sub-Committee received an officer presentation, which provided an update on progress made regarding communications as well as proposals for further development.  The Sub-Committee also received a reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 30 January 2006, which requested that the Sub-Committee provide feedback on the presentation.    

In response to a query from a Member about whether Members could opt in to receive information by email, an officer explained that this would be developed. It was also explained that although the internet would be used as the main communication tool, the Members’ Newsletter and advertisements would also be used to ensure that those without internet access would not be excluded.

In response to a question from a Member as to whether a link existed from the Harrow Council homepage to the Scrutiny Unit, the officer explained that there was not currently a link but that the short link was being included on publications.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the presentation would form part of the new Member induction programme.

RESOLVED: That the above be noted.

The Sub-Committee received a reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 30 January 2006, regarding the evaluation of the Community Schools pilot.

RESOLVED: That future reports on Community Schools be submitted to the Sub-Committee for consideration.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Children’s Services which advised of the work that was being done to promote healthy lifestyles in schools. An officer explained that all but nine Harrow schools had achieved or were working towards the Healthy School Standard which had rigorous requirements that would have to be demonstrated to OFSTED. These would cover Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, and Emotional Health and Well-Being. The number of schools that had achieved the Healthy Lifestyle Standard had increased from 9 in 2003 to 32 in 2006.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the government would be introducing a Healthy Eating Standard which would require schools to make a healthy hot meal available to all pupils. Many Harrow schools were currently reviewing how this service could be delivered once the regulations were introduced.

An officer referred the Sub-Committee to the recommendations it had made in 2003 and outlined how these had been addressed. The issue of free healthy school meals was now on the national agenda.  PSHE co-ordinators were attending termly meetings and, under the Healthy Schools Standard, schools would need to provide access to drinking water except in lessons where there would be a health and safety risk. Since the recommendations had been made, eight school nurses had been recruited but there were currently only five working school nurses and these were part-time. It was emphasised that Northwick Park Hospital, rather than the PCT, was responsible for the school nurses and that the lack of school nurses was not a funding issue but a recruitment issue. It was also reported that governor training had been offered but had not been well attended.

The advisor to the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee, who was in attendance to explain the action taking place to address childhood obesity, reported that from September 2006, there was a requirement for children to be weighed in school at the ages of five and eleven to develop a baseline.  In response to questions from Members, the advisor explained that weighing would be undertaken on an anonymous basis. Data would be made available to parents but referrals would not be made to GPs. In order to conduct the weighing in a sensitive manner, guidance would be followed and parents would have the opportunity to opt their children out of the scheme. As guidance had only recently become available, how the process would be conducted was yet to be considered, but it was possible that, as weighing would need to be done in the Summer term, it was possible not all children of the relevant ages could be weighed.

Members raised concern that the recommendation to make water available to pupils had not been satisfactorily addressed. An officer explained that a survey would be conducted within the next six weeks to look at whether pupils could have bottled water on their desks.  Members expressed concern that information had not already been gathered to be presented to the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 274a

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Children’s Services which provided a comparison of the position with regard to SEN statements in Harrow’s mainstream schools between 2002 and 2006. It was reported that although the distribution of SEN statements across mainstreams was uneven, the spread was not unreasonable and variations were mainly due to additional resourcing for meeting special needs in particular schools.

A Member queried why Little Stanmore and Pinner Park Middle School had a high level of SEN statements when they were not additionally resourced. An officer explained that there was no specific reason and that variations reflected the individual needs of pupils and location.

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee be regularly provided with figures on pupils with SEN Statements.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Children’s Services which provided an update on the progress made against the Sub-Committee’s recommendations from 2004. An officer explained that to make governorship more accessible, the length of term could be reduced and the use of associate members could be investigated. Observing could be encouraged and guidance on good governance had been published. The helpline ‘Governorline’ was being referred to by governors and this service would continue to be publicised. The Harrow Council for Racial Equality (HCRE) had been promoting governorship, mentoring schemes were in place, and long serving governors had been nominated for an award. The Council was also offering a service level agreement to governors.

It was explained that the number of governor vacancies was being closely monitored and there had been a decrease in the last three years.

In response to a question about why the recommendations had not been addressed sooner, the officer explained that many of these developments had taken place over time but had only recently come to fruition.

The Sub-Committee also received a report of the Director of Strategy (People First) which informed Members of two options on the technical infrastructure and support required for the provision of the Governors’ web forum. It was explained that the London Grid for Learning was already being used by schools and this was the preferred option. The forum would be set up and governors would receive training by September 2006.

A Member commented that the support cost of up to £6,000 per year appeared excessive. An officer responded that the costs would probably be lower, particularly after the launch.

RESOLVED: That (1) a report on the launch, start-up costs and anticipated future costs be submitted to the Sub-Committee’s meeting in October 2006;

(2) the Sub-Committee receive an update on governor vacancies in January 2007.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Children’s Services which updated Members on the progress made against agreed actions outlined in the 2005 progress report. It was reported that all recommendations had been addressed and incorporated into the annual plan for the service. In addition, the feedback from schools and parents had been favourable.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Children’s Services which set out the progress and actions since the Sub-Committee’s recommendations in 2004. An officer explained that there had been no significant problems regarding Phase 3 delegation. The widely distributed leaflet that was produced may have contributed to the success by aiding understanding. Provision mapping in schools was being piloted and the feedback received had been favourable.

A Member queried how the non-attendance of governors at training could be addressed and was informed that governing bodies or clusters of governing bodies could set a date for a trainer to visit them and deliver training. Whilst training materials would be placed on the London Grid for Learning, this method of learning would not enable interaction between trainer and trainees.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Learning and Community Development.

Further to Recommendation 1 above, the Sub-Committee also agreed further actions to follow up the recommendations of the scrutiny review, specifically Recommendation 7, “that the branding for the ACL Service be reviewed and that ‘Learn in Harrow’ be considered as a potential brand” and Recommendation 8 “that the ACL service, in conjunction with the Communication Unit, places a higher profile link to www.learninharrow.org.uk from the Council’s website”.

RESOLVED: That (1) the Sub-Committee receive a report in June 2007 on whether the action outlined in Recommendation 7 of the scrutiny review had been completed;

(2) in relation to Recommendation 8 of the scrutiny review, the Portfolio Holder for Communications be requested to arrange for a direct link to be made between the Council’s homepage and the ACL website;

(3) the Business Transformation Partnership (BTP) ensure that courses and phone numbers of learning centres be made available via First Contact.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services and reference from the Joint Meeting of the Lifelong Learning and Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committees held on 18 January 2006 – Children and Young People’s Plan.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services which informed Members of the Children and Young People’s Three Year Plan 2006-2009. The Plan had been approved by Cabinet at its meeting on 16 March 2006 and was a statutory requirement which would be updated annually.

The Sub-Committee also received a reference from the School Organisation Committee which requested that the Sub-Committee formally respond to the Committee after considering the Children and Young People’s Plan. Members of the School Organisation Committee had wanted assurance that the plan had been scrutinised. The reference had originally been submitted to the Joint Meeting of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee and Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee but had been referred on to this meeting in light of the Plan not being available in advance of the joint meeting.

A Member commented that the Appendix to the report contained duplications and spelling errors and that organisations should be listed alphabetically.

RESOLVED: That (1) an update on the Plan be submitted to the Sub-Committee annually at its meetings in June/July;

(2) the reference from the School Organisation Committee be noted;

(3) the School Organisation Committee be informed that the Sub-Committee would be monitoring the plan.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

[The Appendix, Harrow Early Years and Childcare Achievement Report 2004/06 will be circulated to Members separately.]

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Children’s Services which set out the Early Years and Childcare 2004-2006 Achievement Report for Members’ consideration. An officer explained that this was the last Early Years and Childcare Achievement Report, and outlined the achievements and the targets that had been met.

Achievements included funding being provided for the childcare of all three and four year olds in Harrow, working with voluntary providers, the introduction of ethnicity monitoring and the Council being able to withdraw funding if childcare providers did not meet the quality criteria.

The Sub-Committee noted that in the future a parent and toddler group would be launched, final transition documents relating to SEN provision for children entering school would be published and work would be undertaken with healthcare services to attempt to address issues such as obesity and the low rate of breastfeeding in Harrow.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Children’s Services which provided an update on the national and local picture with regard to 14-19 provision.

In response to a question from a Member, it was explained that as part of provision mapping, the location for the teaching of each subject would be decided according to the specialism of schools and initially there would be a sharing of staff. The Sub-Committee noted that an advisory team of teachers had been deployed to develop schemes of work and a plan would be put in place to ensure vocational options were offered.

RESOLVED: That officers provide a further progress report to the Sub-Committee’s meeting in June 2006.

Report of the Director of People, Performance and Policy.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of People, Performance and Policy which sought approval of the draft Chair’s report of the Sub-Committee’s work over the past four years, for inclusion in the 2005/06 scrutiny annual report.

RESOLVED: That the draft Chair’s report of the Sub-Committee’s work over the past four years be approved for inclusion in the 2005/06 scrutiny annual report.

Which the Chair has decided is urgent and cannot otherwise be dealt with.

Vote of Thanks

The Chair thanked officers, co-optees, Members and the scrutiny officer for their work over the last four years and she, in turn, was thanked by Members of the Sub-Committee.