Agenda and decisions

This is where Councillors who are attending as substitutes will say for whom they are attending.

No apologies for absence were received.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th January 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 14^th January 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

The Councillors will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have disclosable pecuniary interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interests.

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

All items were considered in public session.

Members of the Panel will welcome Mel Meggs, the new Director for Children’s Services.

Contact: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

The Panel welcomed Mel Meggs, new Director for Children’s Services, to the meeting and thanked her for the update and introduction. 

The Panel will consider the latest data showing the number of children in care.

Contact Officer: Steve Comb, Head of Corporate Parenting.

1.    The Panel noted the report on numbers of children in care and thanked Steve Comb for his contributions.

2.    The Board agreed to be kept up to date on the future plans around the number of children placed in care out of the district.

The Panel will consider a report providing an update on the role of the Virtual School in Kirklees, its statutory responsibilities and some case study examples.

Contact Officer: Janet Tolley, Virtual School Head Teacher

1.    The Panel noted the report on the role of the Virtual School in Kirklees, its statutory responsibilities and case studies and thanked Janet Tolley for her contributions. 

2.    The Panel agreed that the information contained within the report had raised the Panel’s awareness of the Virtual School and recognised the positive and continuous improvements being made to achieve better educational outcomes for looked after children.   

The Panel will consider a report on the Kirklees Annual Educational Standards and Quality Report for 2017/18 – Key stage educational achievement outcomes for Kirklees Schools academic year.

Contact Officer: Harkireet Sohel, Head of Service (Outcomes for

                          Children)

                          Emma Brayford, Kirklees Learning Partner (Data

                          and Assessment)

1.    The Panel noted the report on the Kirklees Annual Educational Standards and Quality report for 2017/18 and thanked Harkireet Sohel and Emma Brayford for their contributions. 

2.    The Panel agreed to consider a future report giving a progress update on the educational challenges ahead, attendance and exclusions – date to be determined.

The Panel will consider a report on the development of Kirklees Community Hubs and the accountability arrangements established for activity taking place within the hubs and across Council and partner agencies.

Contact:        Michelle Wheatcroft, Head of Service (Early Support)

                     Martin Green, Head of Localities Officer (Children and

                     Families)

1.    The Panel noted the report on Kirklees Community Hubs and thanked Michelle Wheatcroft and Martin Green for their contributions.

2.    The Panel agreed to consider a future report showing data which demonstrated that the Early Support Strategy was being affective – date to be determined.

3.    The Panel requested that regular engagement with Ward Councillors be undertaken within the Kirklees Community Hubs and that Ward Councillors be invited to events and meetings as appropriate within their ward areas. 

Members of the panel will consider the work programme and agenda plan for the 2018/19 municipal year. 

Officer: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

1.    That the 2018/19 Agenda Plan for the Children’s Scrutiny Panel be noted.

2.    That the Governance Officer be authorised to liaise with officers on agreed actions.

To note future meeting dates of the Panel during the 2018/19 municipal year:

-       Monday 18^th March 2019 at 10.30am

-       Monday 1^st April 2019 at 10 am

The Panel noted the dates of the meetings of the Children’s Scrutiny Panel for the remainder of the 2018/19 municipal year.