Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Papworth and Dolores Bray-Ash JP.

The Chairman reminded the Committee that the Declarations of Interest made at the meeting on 14^th July 2011 were taken as read.

Councillor John Getgood declared that he was no longer a Governor at Harris Academy Beckenham.

To hear questions to the Committee received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5.00pm on 15^th February 2012 and to respond.

No questions had been received.

In respect of Minute 62d, a Member asked what work had been undertaken regarding the new cross-Government programme to tackle ‘troubled families’, and highlighted the need to coordinate any work undertaken with a similar initiative currently being delivered to target generational worklessness.  The Director CYP confirmed that a report providing further information on the initiative would be provided to the meeting of Children and Young People PDS Committee in March 2012.  The Chairman would also be meeting with PDS Chairmen across all Portfolios to ensure cross-Portfolio involvement in the development of the initiative.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th January 2012 be agreed.

To hear questions to the Portfolio Holder received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5.00pm on 15^th February 2012 and to respond.

No questions had been received.

The Committee to receive an update from the Portfolio Holder and to note decisions taken since the last meeting.

The Portfolio Holder advised the PDS Committee about developments in the academy programme.  It had been agreed by the Department for Education that The Priory School would become an academy from 1^st May 2012.  It had also been agreed that Hillside Primary School would convert to academy-status as a sponsored academy to The Priory by 1^st September 2012.  Further schools converting to academies included Tubbenden Primary School from 1^st March 2012 and St James’ Roman Catholic Primary School from 1^st April 2012.

In response to a question from a Member, the Director CYP confirmed that  future use of the dual-use sports and leisure facility and the Special Language Unit at The Priory would be included as part of the commercial transfer agreement.

The Committee noted decisions taken by the Portfolio Holder since the last meeting of the Children and Young People PDS Committee held on 24^th January 2012.

Report DCYP12020

The Committee considered a report providing an update on progress against key performance indicators for Children and Young People Services for Quarter 3 (October to December) 2011.  The Committee was pleased to note that targets had so far been exceeded in a number of areas, and noted other areas where performance was behind target. 

A Member was concerned at the level of both authorised and unauthorised attendance in primary schools.  The Senior Performance, Research and Systems Officer confirmed that illness remained the main reason for student absence and that work was underway to improve attendance, including the Spike ‘Every School Day Counts’ project.  Headteachers considered each application for absence individually and events were also held for children who achieved 100% attendance.

The indicator for percentage of social care core assessments completed within 35 working days was also highlighted.  The Assistant Director: Safeguarding and Social Care confirmed that performance against the target had improved, however there had been delays experienced in completing core assessments, including information gathering and coordinating the multi-agency response.  The Chairman underlined the importance of ensuring core assessments were completed to a high standard, even if completion took longer than the required 35 days, and congratulated Officers on exceeding the 90% target for the percentage of children who had a referral for services from Children’s Social Care who then went onto an initial assessment.  

A Member noted the indicator for percentage of schools judged by Ofsted to be in category (special measures or notice to improve), and queried whether this indicator should be broadened to include schools rated ‘satisfactory’.  The Chairman confirmed that Bromley was now able to set meaningful local targets for the national curriculum tests, and proposed that the Performance Data Working Group be reconstituted before the next meeting of the Children and Young People PDS Committee to consider how to set and measure local performance targets. 

RESOLVED that:

1)  Progress against key performance indicators be noted; and,

2)  A meeting of the Performance Data Working Group be held before the next meeting of the Children and Young People PDS Committee, to consider how to set and measure local performance targets.   

The Children and Young People Portfolio Holder to present scheduled reports for pre-decision scrutiny on matters where he is minded to make decisions.

Report DCYP12028

The Portfolio Holder outlined a report providing an update on the publication of the Department for Education’s National Plan for Music and the introduction of new arrangements for funding Music Education, and introduced Mr Michael Purton, Principal of Bromley Youth Music Trust.  Mr Purton explained that the National Plan for Music aimed to transform the way music was delivered to schools by funding music education hubs that brought together local authorities and music organisations to work in partnership to ensure every child had a high-quality music education.  Bromley Youth Music Trust had agreed to act as the lead partner in the Bromley Music Hub, and had formed the Music Education Partnership Group to provide the broad range of expertise and resource necessary to support the development of a submission to the Department for Education and the Arts Council for England by the deadline of 17^th February 2012. 

In considering the report, the Chairman highlighted the potential for the Bromley Music Hub to access a wide range of funding streams as well as potentially developing sold services to other boroughs.  The Principal confirmed that work with other boroughs was being explored and that a professional fundraiser was being employed to develop a plan for income generation for the Hub.

A Member noted that music groups and the Bromley Youth Music Trust should be encouraged to make use of the concert hall at Langley Park Boys School where appropriate.  The Principal confirmed that an agreement with Langley Park Boys School around use of the concert hall was currently being progressed.

A Co-opted Member was concerned that Special Schools Head teachers and Music Therapists had not been included in the consultation undertaken prior to submission of the Bromley Music Hub bid.  The Principal explained that the application had concentrated on reporting existing services that Bromley Youth Music Trust provide, but that a full audit of all music education services in the Borough would be undertaken during the first six months of the Hub.  Riverside School would also be approached to join Bromley Music Hub.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Note the publication of the DfE’s national Plan for Music and the introduction of new funding arrangements to support Music Education;

2)  Endorse the steps being taken by the Council and Bromley Youth Music Trust to secure funding under the new arrangements;

3)  Note the reduction in the Bromley Youth Music Trust contract fee for 2012/13 and 2013/14 as a contribution towards overall savings that the Council is required to make following the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review of November 2010; and

4)  Note the activity being undertaken by Bromley Youth Music Trust to secure funding to offset the impact of a reduction in the level of funding from the Council.

Report ES12010

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report outlining the School Travel Programme, which worked to tackle congestion near schools and reduce journey times for all road users.  The School Travel Programme linked closely with road safety education, cycle training and safety around schools, working in conjunction with other initiatives to promote cycling, walking and public transport.  The Manager: Casualty Reduction highlighted that the data around school travel was recorded via pupil and staff surveys conducted in class.  Although ‘hands up’ surveys were the recommended collection methodology, Bromley had concerns about the accuracy of these surveys, however following a study of different collection methods at selected sites across London, it had been concluded that other data collection methods were no more accurate but were significantly more costly.

A Co-opted Member was concerned at the impact the withdrawal of funding for school crossing patrols would have on journeys to school.  The Manager: Casualty Reduction noted that following discussion by Members at the meeting of Environment PDS Committee on 18^th January 2012, a decision had been taken by the Environment Portfolio Holder to make a £2k subsidy available to schools from the Local Transport Priorities LIP budget to support the retention of School Crossing Patrols.  Engineering measures were also being introduced near schools were appropriate.  A Member queried how many walking buses were currently in operation in the Borough.  The Manager: Casualty Reduction confirmed that 13 schools currently had a walking bus and one was currently being developed. 

A Member highlighted a number of contributing factors to the reduction in single passenger car journeys, which included smaller school catchment areas and the impact of the economic downturn.  In response to a question, the Manager: Casualty Reduction confirmed that school travel plans were one part of a wider strategy to reduce congestion.  Academies and private schools were also supported in school travel planning as this similarly contributed to a reduction in congestion.

Three of the four special schools in the Borough currently had school travel plans and a Co-opted Member underlined the need to consider how these could work with Special Educational Needs Transport.  A Member also noted the pressures sixth form students with cars placed on congestion at peak times and in parking.  The Manager: Casualty Reduction confirmed that sixth form travel was included as part of a school travel plan.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to note the School Travel Programme.

Report RES12027

On 1^st February 2012, the Executive received the 3^rd quarterly capital monitoring report for 2011/12 and agreed a revised Capital Programme for the five year period 2011/12 to 2015/16.  The Committee considered a report highlighting the changes agreed by the Executive in respect of the capital Programme for the Children and Young People Portfolio.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the revised Capital Programme agreed by the Executive on 1^st February 2012.

Report DCYP12023

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report outlining a LA Governor Appointment to a school in the Borough.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve the following LA Governor appointment, subject to CRB checks:

Edgebury Primary School  Mr David Benaron

  (Chislehurst)

Report DCYP12021

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report outlining the need to establish the criteria for the appointment of Bromley Local Authority governors to former Bromley maintained schools which have converted or are converting to academies.  Section 38 of the Education Act proposed to introduce new constitutional regulations and criteria for the appointment of LA governors of governing bodies of Local Authority maintained schools from September 2012.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the revised process relating to appointments of LA governors to governing bodies of:

A)  Academies; and

B)  Local Authority maintained schools pending new regulations September 2012.

Report DCYP12029

The Portfolio Holder introduced the Children and Young People Services Improvement Plan which addressed areas for development highlighted by Ofsted in the 2011 Annual Performance Assessment of Children and Young People Services, and outlined progress already made. 

The Chairman congratulated Officers following a rating of ‘Level 3 Good – Performs Well’ being awarded to Bromley Children and Young People Services, a level that had been sustained for the last 4 years since 2008.

A Member highlighted the gap in performance between the bottom 20% of five year olds and their peers.  Whilst this gap had reduced to 31.2% in 2011 from 33.3% in 2010, it was still not meeting the target of 30%.  The Director CYP confirmed that a range of measures had been put in place to address the gap in performance between the bottom 20% of five year olds and their peers.  This included an analysis of foundation stage attainment over the last four years to establish the previous early years setting of each pupil, identifying trends and targeting support to pre-school settings and schools as appropriate.  The Government was also introducing a new code of practice that would give Local Authorities a choice whether to fund settings considered unsatisfactory. 

Members discussed the use of free school meals figures as a proxy indicator of children from low income families.  This was the standard measure used by local authorities, however it was possible to bring other indicators alongside free school meals to add value to the measure.  A Member highlighted that not all children who were in low income families claimed free school meals and that it was important for parents and carers to be encouraged to engage with free school meals if they were eligible as it benefited both the child and the school.  A Co-opted Member proposed that the term ‘free school meals’ should be replaced with more positive terminology to encourage uptake. 

A Member suggested that an annual report on complaints received by the Children and Young People Department be considered by the PDS Committee as a means to identify further issues for scrutiny.

RESOLVED thatthe Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Approve the Improvement Plan; and

2)  Note progress made in addressing the areas for development highlighted by Ofsted following the 2011 Annual Performance Assessment.

Report DCYP12025

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report providing details of the outcomes and recommendations of the Primary School Development Plan Working Party, which had met on 5^th January 2012 to consider the strategic planning of primary school places and school organisation in the Borough.

The Head of Access and Admissions highlighted that the birth-rate had continued to rise from 3400 in 2002 to 4100 in 2010 with a projected pupil roll at primary reception age of between 3600 and 3700 for the remainder of the decade which would continue to place pressure on the number of Reception class places.

In response to a question from a Co-opted Member, the Head of Access and Admissions confirmed that discussions with the Governors and the Diocese of Rochester regarding potential relocation and expansion of Chislehurst Church of England School were continuing, and that a report would be provided to the next meeting of the PDS Committee.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder is recommended to endorse the recommendations of the Working Party, taking into account the views of the Children and Young People PDS Committee, and authorise the Director CYP to undertake consultation with schools and other key agencies on the proposed temporary and permanent expansion of places and to implement the proposals where feasible as set out below:

Planning Area 1 - Wards:  Crystal Palace, Penge and Cator, Clock House

·  The Published Admission Number for Churchfields Primary School be increased from 30 to 60 places.

·  Malcolm Primary School increase its intake from 30 to 60 places for a further year.

·  St Anthony’s Primary School be approached with a view to accommodating a temporary additional form of entry at reception.

·  Officers approach other schools in this planning area to consider the feasibility of admitting an additional form of entry, i.e. an additional 30 places in 2012 or 2013.

Planning Area 2 - Wards:  Copers Cope, Kelsey and Eden Park

·  That the Local Authority pursue discussions with the Governors of Bromley Road Infant and Worsley Bridge Junior Schools regarding the future organisation of the two schools.

Planning Area 3 - Wards:  Shortlands, West Wickham, Hayes and Coney Hall

·  Officers approach schools in this planning area to consider the feasibility of admitting an additional form of entry, i.e. an additional 30 places in 2012 or 2013.

Planning Area 4 - Wards:  Bromley Town, Plaistow and Sundridge, Bickley

·  Valley Primary School increase its intake from 60 to 90 places for a further year.

·  The Published Admission Number for Parish Primary School be increased from 60 to 90.

·  The Local Authority to continue to discuss the feasibility of consolidating St George’s CE Primary school to whole forms of entry.

Planning Area 5 - Wards:  Bromley Common and Keston, Petts Wood and Knoll, Farnborough and Crofton

·  Southborough Primary School and Keston Primary Schools to be approached with a view to accommodating an extra form of entry, i.e. an additional 30 places on a temporary basis.

Planning Area 6 - Wards:  Chislehurst, Mottingham, Chislehurst North

·  The Local Authority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79g

Report DCYP12026

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report reviewing the impact of the recruitment and retention strategy and funding arrangement, agreed by the Council’s Executive on 3^rd February 2010.  Designed to stabilise the staffing within two front line teams of Children’s Social Care Services, the strategy consisted of a number of elements including an enhanced remuneration package, a ‘grow our own’ social worker scheme and the use of overseas recruitment.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the continued use of the strategy for recruitment and retention of children’s social work staff for 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Report DCYP12030

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report setting out the proposed allocation of £300,000 available within the Council’s Capital Programme through the Bromley Seed Challenge Scheme to deal with priority premises issues at Bromley schools.  In addition an allocation of £150,000 had been made to support security and health and safety improvements at schools to match fund successful submission for security improvements.

Councillor John Getgood, a Governor at Alexandra Junior School, was concerned that school’s bid had not received match funding.  The Portfolio Holder noted the concern but highlighted that only a limited amount of funding was available.  Schools that had not been successful in their bids were invited to submit bids to next year’s Seed Challenge Programme for consideration.  A Member was pleased to note the high proportion of funding relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabled access.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Approve the list of schemes set out in the Appendix to Report DCYP12030 be approved.

2)  Approve the proposal that £76,829 be made available from the Council’s School Security programme to provide match funding support for school submissions dealing with security issues.

3)  Authorise the Director of Children and Young People Services to submit planning applications at the appropriate time in respect of the schemes set out in Report DCYP12030 where appropriate.

Report DCYP12027

The Committee considered the forward rolling work programme for the year ahead, based on items scheduled for decision by the Children and Young People Portfolio Holder and items for consideration by the Children and Young People PDS Committee.

With regard to the next meeting of the PDS Committee, the Committee noted that the Bromley Seed Challenge Scheme: Further Action report was a duplicate item and would be removed from the Work Programme.  The item on Children and Family Centres was not longer an update and would provide proposals for future usage of children and family centres.  Following a request from a Member, a report on exclusions in the Borough would also be considered at the meeting in March 2012.

In considering the contract for Weekend and Holiday Short Breaks for Disabled Children and Young People, a Co-opted Member underlined the potential to develop voluntary sector provision.  Another Co-opted Member noted that the Early Years Support service would not continue from April 2012, and was concerned at how this would impact providers.

RESOLVED that the Children and Young People Forward Rolling Work Programme 2011-12 be noted.

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it was likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes from the Children and Young People PDS meeting held on 24^th January 2012 be agreed.

To note Part 2 decisions of the Portfolio Holder made since the last meeting of the Committee.

The Committee noted exempt (Part 2) decisions taken by the Portfolio Holder since the last meeting.

Report DCYP12022

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.

Report DCYP12024

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.

Report DCYP12031

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.