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Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Council Chamber, County Hall, The Rhadyr, Usk, NP15 1GA

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

2.

Public Open Forum

Minutes:

No issues were raised by the public.

3.

Confirmation of the following minutes:

3a

Children and Young People Select Committee dated 26th October 2017 pdf icon PDF 193 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Children and Young People Select Committee dated 26th October 2017 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

3b

Special meeting - Children and Young People Select Committee dated 13th November 2017 pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the special meeting of the Children and Young People Select Committee dated 13th November 2017 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

 

4.

Medium Term Financial Plan 2018/19 to 2021/22 and Draft Budget Proposals 2018/19 for Consultation pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

Context:

 

  • To highlight the context within which the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) will be developed for 2018/19 to 2021/22.

 

  • To agree the assumptions to be used to update the MTFP, and provide an early indication of the level of budget savings still to be found.

 

  • To receive an update with the implications arising out of the provisional settlement announcement of Welsh Government.

 

  • To consider the 2018/19 budget within the context of the four year Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) to be incorporated within the emergent Corporate Plan

 

  • To receive detailed draft proposals on the budget savings required to meet the gap between available resources and need to spend in 2018/19.

 

Key Issues:

 

The Select Committee scrutinised the Children and Young People budget proposals, as outlined in the report, which related to the Children and Young People Directorate.

 

Member Scrutiny:

 

·         Central Government funding is a net 0.5% reduction.

 

·         Pay inflation - the likely pay award for next year is being agreed at 2%.

 

·         There will be a need to review the vacancy factor figure which is currently at 2%.

 

·         The Authority has historically had to pay significant sums of money to external foster care providers which has been difficult to budget for due to each child’s differing circumstances.  The Authority is therefore actively looking at all external placements to see if there is an internal provision that could be used, as long as it could be used successfully and ensuring the safeguarding and well-being of the individual child is maintained.

 

·         The matter of Federated schools has been discussed previously within the Authority and with head teachers recently.  There are currently 36 educational settings in Monmouthshire but in the future it is likely that there will be fewer than 36 head teachers across those schools. This will be a process of evolution whereby, as opportunities arise through natural turnover, the Authority will take advantage of these situations with a view to schools working more closely together.

 

·         In response to questions raised regarding appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report, it was noted that:

 

-       The figures relating to the grants position as outlined in appendix 1 should be read in round millions and relate to the position for Wales.

 

-       N/A in appendix 1 refers to information not available, as yet.

 

-       Appendix 2 – Monmouthshire derives the lowest funding per head of population across Wales.  The settlement works by looking at indicative service levels across the 22 local authorities in Wales and applying a formula.  However, not all authorities provide services in the same way.  Welsh Government states that this formula has been agreed by the 22 authorities and it will be for the 22 authorities to agree to an alternative way of preparing the formula funding.

 

-       The funding flaw refers to Welsh Government and when it looks at those indicators it will then apply the formula comparing this year’s settlement with the previous year.  In trying to reduce the volatility Welsh Government has restricted the reduction to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Draft Capital Budget Proposals 2018/19 to 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 799 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Context:

 

To scrutinise the proposed capital budget for 2018/19 and the indicative capital budgets for the three years 2019/20 to 2021/22.

 

Key Issues:

 

Capital Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) issues:

 

  • The four year capital programme is reviewed annually and updated to take account of any new information that is relevant.

 

  • The major component of the Capital MTFP for the next few years is completion of the Council’s Tranche A Future schools programme.  Colleagues are working through options in relation to a future Welsh Government Tranche B programme.  No presumption has been made to add such costs into this next four year window as yet, as costs of proposals and their affordability are still to be established.

 

  • As part of the 2017/18 budget setting process, Members identified five additional priorities that had not been costed at the time of budget setting, but for which they added an unhypothecated borrowing assumption of £500,000 per annum to the 2017/18 budget.

 

  • During this year, some of those scheme costs have crystalised and the following indicates the related presumption within the capital programme together with an indication of the revenue consequences.  In all cases an asset life of 25 years has been presumed:

 

-       Monmouth Pool – commitment to re-provide the pool in Monmouth as a consequence of the Future Schools Programme,  £7.3 million project afforded by £1.9 million Future Schools Programme, £985,000 Section 106 funding, core treasury funding in the region of £835,000, and £3.58 million prudential borrowing afforded by the Leisure Service through additional income predictions.

 

-       Abergavenny Hub – commitment to re-provide the library with the One Stop Shop in Abergavenny to conclude the creation of a Hub in each of the towns.  £2.3 million.

 

-       Disabled Facilities Grants – the demand for grants is currently outstripping the budget, work is being undertaken to assess the level of investment required to maximize the impact and benefit for recipients.  Members ultimately chose to put a one year commitment of £300,000 into the base capital programme in 2017/18.

 

-       City Deal - 10 Authorities in the Cardiff City region are looking at a potential £1.2 billion City Deal. Agreement to commit to this programme is being sought across the region in January 2018 and would impact on the capital MTFP. The potential impact on individual authority budgets is currently being modelled in advance of decisions on specific projects and profiles in order for authorities to start reflecting the commitment in their MTFPs.  The potential is for the 10 authorities to provide collectively £120 million over time, with individual contributions being reflective of populations.  Monmouthshire’s indicative liability during the forthcoming capital MTFP is likely to be:

 

Contributions predicted during forthcoming MTFP window:

 

Year                       Amount

2018-19                £83,000

2019-20                £482,000

2020-21                £472,000

2021-22                £729,000

 

Contributions predicted following the MTFP window:

 

2022-23                £729,000

2023-24                £1,207,000

2024-25                 £1,206,000

2025-26                £1,206,000

2026-27                £1,206,000

Total                      £7,320,000

 

MRP is presumed to start in the year after the contribution in made.

 

-       J and E Block – the office  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Presentation regarding Key Stage 4 Outcomes

Minutes:

Context:

 

To scrutinise the Key Stage 4 outcomes for 2016/17.

 

Key Issues:

 

Key Stage 4:

 

·         Level 2 inclusive English / Maths (best of procedural and numeracy).

·         Level 2.

·         Level 1.

·         Core Subject Indicator (CSI).

·         5A* / A.

·         Modelled Expectations:

-       For secondary schools for L2+, L2 and L1.

·         English.

·         Maths (Procedural or Numeracy).

·         Science.

 

Member Scrutiny:

 

·         With regard to English Level 2 achievement at King Henry VIII Comprehensive School, there is a significant difference in performance between children receiving Free School Meals (FSM) and non FSM children. However, the size of the cohorts need to be taken into account, as the majority of FSM children have been known to the school since Year 7. There is greater impact on the two examinations that were sat.  It is anticipated that there will be an improved performance next year.

 

·         Future reports should include the numbers alongside the percentages to provide better clarity.

 

·         It was noted that the recommendation of the Donaldson Report in respect of the Successful Futures aspect is to remove Key Stage testing and have informal teacher step progression assessments which are not publically reported or published.  The advantage of the system currently being operated is that each student is tested.  However, with the implementation of the Donaldson Report, the Authority will continue to have an insight into how schools are performing. One of the key issues will be Estyn’s change from looking at outcomes in terms of teacher assessment and benchmark quartiles to assessing performance and teaching and learning through the observation of book scrutiny.  However, the Key Stage 4 results will always be published.

 

·         A more detailed report on the risks and the positive aspects of the Donaldson Report will be presented to the Select Committee in the New Year.

 

·         The movement to the linear system was a challenge.  None of Monmouthshire’s schools have a significant number of FSM students. However, one of the challenges is that the Authority’s FSM gap further down the school system is much smaller.  Therefore, the FSM gap between Monnmouthshire’s FSM children and those not entitled to FSM was 44% at GCSE Level 2 inclusive, this year.  At the Foundation Phase indicator, it was only 10%. At Key Stage 2 CSI it was only 10%. At Key Stage 3, it increases and at Key Stage 4, it increases even further. Therefore, the challenge needs to be addressed at primary school level. There is a need to raise expectations amongst some cohorts in terms of what they should be expecting to achieve. Also, there is a need to undertake additional work to support learners and some schools have opened on a Saturday to teach maths to help support students.

 

 

 

Committee’s Conclusion:

 

  • There are some very strong performances by Monmouthshire’s young people reflected in the Key Stage 4 outcomes report.

 

·         However, there are areas where there are difficulties facing Monmouthshire’s schools.  In particular, the performance of FSM children.

 

·         The Select Committee will closely monitor the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Feedback from the Chair on his attendance at Engage 2 Change (Youth Council) on 4th December 2017 to discuss the Youth Councils' priorities for 2017-18

Minutes:

The Chair provided the Select Committee with feedback on his attendance at a meeting of the Youth Council.  Also in attendance was the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Education and senior officers.

 

In doing so, the following information from the meeting was noted:

 

·         The Youth Council looked back on the Local Democracy Day that was hosted by Monmouthshire County Council as a very positive experience for the young people. They liked the question and answer session and would like to do this again in the future.

 

·         There were some concerns raised which will be scrutinised at future meetings of the Select Committee. The concerns were:

 

-       Mental health issues.

 

-       Issues regarding the curriculum that the students receive.

 

-       I.T. skills needed to be better for students as they enter the world of work in the digital age.

 

-       The lack of practical advice received around I.T. and finance, e.g., how to apply for a mortgage.

 

·         The Leader had suggested that the Authority should be linking with Schools’ Councils. The Select Committee could develop this matter.

 

·         Following the Democracy Day, which was aimed at secondary school children, The Scrutiny Manager had suggested that the Authority could look at how it could involve younger students in democracy and understanding the role of the Councillor. Primary schools could be approached and that one of the schools’ years could meet their local Councillor at their respective school with a view to holding an introductory meeting, with the Councillor explaining their role to the students. The students would then be asked to enter into a competition to paint or draw their local Councillor with a prize being awarded.  Each school council would be asked to run the process within their school.  The Engage 2 Change Youth Council would be the judge and adjudication panel. The winning pictures would be displayed at County Hall, Usk.

 

·         It was noted that Welsh Government has launched a series of pilot areas for new ways of working to support children and young people with mental health needs.  However, for that pilot, Monmouthshire is no longer part of northern Gwent and has been omitted from that pilot.  Conversations are being held with Welsh Government regarding this matter.

 

Committee’s Conclusion:

 

  • The meeting with the Youth Council had been very positive and it was heartening to see senior Members of the Council working with young people and respecting and valuing the comments made by the students.

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Kerbcraft - Scrutiny of Action Plan Delivery and Ongoing Performance Measures pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Context:

 

To scrutinise a report on the implementation of the Action Plan approved by County Council in March 2017 and performance measures in place.

 

Key Issues:

 

·         On 20th March 2017, Council received the Wales Audit Office (WAO) report on the Safeguarding scheme in Monmouthshire County Council and endorsed the action plan to address the findings of the WAO report.

 

·         On the 5th July 2017, Cabinet received a report entitled ‘Update and Approval of matters arising from the Action Plan – Safeguarding arrangements – kerbcraft scheme.

 

·         Attached to the report to Cabinet were new procedures for the provision of kerbcraft training which were approved by Cabinet.

 

·         Kerbcraft training commenced in September 2017 in compliance with the procedure and checklist approved by Cabinet on the 5th July 2017.

 

·         Officers have investigated what information is appropriate to monitor the performance of the scheme for officers of the Children and Young People Directorate and Members. The kerbcraft training is funded by and provided on behalf of Welsh Government. A performance management pro forma is provided to Welsh Government on a quarterly basis.

 

·         The action plan requires a select committee to be nominated to monitor the ongoing performance of the kerbcraft scheme. Given the link to Monmouthshire’s school children, officers consider the Children and Young People Select Committee to be the most appropriate committee to receive ongoing performance management reports. Welsh Government quarterly return will be collated on a six monthly basis and submitted to the Children and Young People Select Committee, Audit Committee and Cabinet. The return will be supplemented by a further document indicating which schools have received training and which are scheduled to receive training along with any commentary received from schools and parents relating to the kerbcraft training.

 

·         Over and above the reports to the Children and Young People Select Committee, the action plan requires the Audit Committee and Cabinet to receive progress reports to ensure that the performance of the scheme has improved and risks reduced. A report was submitted to the Audit Committee on the 23rd November 2017 and a report to Cabinet is scheduled for 10th January 2018.

 

·         Cabinet, on the 5th July 2017, amended the recommendation that the service remains within the Highways Section (Traffic and Road Safety unit) but robust reporting links be created between the Kerbcraft Team and the Children and Young People Directorate.

 

·         Officers from the Highways Section and the Children and Young People Directorate have discussed how the reporting links and protocols will be managed.

 

Member Scrutiny:

 

·         In relation to paid staff providing Kerbcraft training, the Authority has one full time employee and two part time employees and these officers work term times.

 

·         One of the issues that caused concern for the WAO was the number of volunteers which the Authority had available which equated to 80 volunteers. The authority is presently using six volunteers which are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked, and training is provided. No volunteers will be used until all of these checks  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Performance report 2017/18 Quarter 2 pdf icon PDF 619 KB

Minutes:

Context:

 

To scrutinise the 2017/18 quarter 2 performance information under the remit of the Children and Young People Select Committee, this comprises:

 

·         Information on how the Authority is performing against a range of nationally set measures related to children’s services used by all councils in Wales that were introduced in 2016/17 as part of the Social Services and Well-being Act.

 

·         Report benchmarking data to demonstrate how the Authority performed during 2016/17 against the Welsh average.

 

Key Issues:

 

The Council currently has an established performance framework, this is the way in which the Authority translates its vision - building sustainable and resilient communities - into action and ensures that everyone is pulling in the same direction to deliver real and tangible outcomes.  The framework was presented to the Committee in July 2017.

 

The report card explains Children’s Social Services key process and performance in quarter 2 2017/18, as well as presenting benchmarking of performance in 2016/17. This comprises of data from the new measurement framework introduced in 2016/17 as part of the Social Services and Well-being Act. The performance measures are a blend of quantitative and qualitative data which includes asking people about their experience of social services and whether this has contributed to improving their well-being.

 

Welsh Government has highlighted that the first year of data collation (2016/17) of the Social Services and Well-being Act performance measurement framework has provided some challenges and some quality issues with the data and as a result, it has not published local authority level data performance data for 2016-17. Wales level, means and quartile data has been published which has allowed some benchmarking to be undertaken, although this is caveated in how much reliance can be placed on this given the quality issues raised.

 

There are ongoing discussions and workshops on potentially revising the standards and measures, as part of the framework in the future.

 

The qualitative measures within the framework are derived from questionnaires to children and parents that social services are working with at the beginning of September 2017. Therefore, at quarter 2, data may only be presented on one month of responses. Efforts are being made to increase the number of responses to the questionnaire for 2017/18. 

 

Another important nationally set framework used to measure local authority performance is ‘Public Accountability Measures’ set by Data Unit Wales ‘. This includes some of the indicators for children’s services that are part of the Social Services and Well-being Act measurement framework. This also includes measures relating to educational attainment and attendance from the academic year 2016/17 that are under the Select Committee’s remit.

 

Member Scrutiny:

 

·         It was noted that there was a comments box on the questionnaire.  The Data Analyst stated that she could look through the comments received from 16 / 17 year olds to see if there were any comments received that could be passed back to the service with a view to providing support for the young people.

 

·         The questionnaire is only one way of engaging with young people who  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Actions arising from the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Minutes:

We received the list of actions that had been completed arising from the Children and Young People Select Committee meeting held on 26th October 2017.

11.

Children and Young People Select Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 221 KB

Minutes:

We received the Select Committee’s forward work plan. In doing so the Scrutiny

Manager updated the Select Committee, as follows:

 

Ordinary Meeting - 1st February 2018 at 10.00am

 

·         Budget Monitoring - Period 7.

·         Chief Officer for Education self-evaluation report.

·         Schools Funding Formula.

 

Special Meeting – 24th January 2018 at 2.00pm

 

·         Pre-decision scrutiny of the Corporate Parenting Strategy.

·         Children’s Services Placements.

·         Second Phase Family Support Review.

 

Special Meeting – 13th February 2018 at 10.00am

 

·         Leisure Services for Young People.

·         Support for Refugees.

 

Additional item for the Work Plan

 

·         The Children and Young People Select Committee Work Programme to be updated to include scrutiny of the Donaldson report on successful futures, which is a whole scale review of the curriculum itself. Also, there is consultation being undertaken in relation to Estyn and how this will be affected as a result of the Donaldson report.

12.

Cabinet and Council Forward Planner pdf icon PDF 438 KB

Minutes:

We received the Cabinet and Council Forward Planner.

 

13.

Next Meeting

Thursday 1st February 2017 at 10.00am.

Minutes:

The next ordinary meeting of the Children and Young People Select Committee will be held on Thursday 1st February 2018 at 10.00am.

 

There will be a special meeting of the Children and Young People Select Committee on:

 

·         Wednesday 24th January 2018 at 2.00pm.

·         Tuesday 13th February 2018 at 10.00am.