The Chair welcomed everyone to the committee advising the extraordinary meeting on 6 February was opened and closed. The Chair highlighted fostering and celebratory event that took place last week.

The Chair added he attended a useful SEN, planning and home to school transport briefing also held last week.

Apologies were received from Councillor Fish.

To approve the minutes of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 30 January 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 30 January 2025 were approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and Education presented this report to People Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Advising the report highlighted the work undertaken by Children’s Services (between April - December 2024), service priorities, savings, successes, and challenges experienced by the service.

Members were advised that Children’s Services have continued to contribute to savings, however, have also ensured that there is no negative impact on the effort and progress that has been made in the Directorate over recent years.

It was confirmed that the savings identified for 2024/25 of £2.049 have been met. The report included key areas of Education and Commissioning (schools’ efficiency, school places, SEN provision) and Children’s Social Care and Early Help (Ofsted, placement sufficiency, recruitment / retention of Social Workers)

Members queried the status of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) repairs in effected schools.

It was confirmed that all remediation work had been completed at St Clere’s. All ground floor specialist classrooms were operational. The first floor has a RAAC block has been acrow propped which has allowed full use of the ground floor. The loss of the classrooms on the first floor has been compensated by the Losberger units. These units will remain in place/ on site until the new build has been completed.

Members were advised the Department for Education (DfE) have appointed technical advisers to progress the new build. All parties are looking at options for the location and phasing of the new building. There will be some refurbishment works to other building onsite. Feasibility is underway and a full tender process will be undertaken to appoint a main contractor at which point a full programme of works will be developed and agreed with the trust. The trust will be engaging with ward members once the building layout has been agreed with the DfE and plans are ready to progress.

Member were advised that Thameside Primary remediation works have now been completed. All RAAC temporary accommodation has been removed.

The trust is currently awaiting a decision, due imminently from the DfE on the longer-term proposal for the RAAC block.

Members were advised that Arthur Bugler Primary school interim remediation works have now been completed to ensure the safety and operation of all RAAC areas. All RAAC temporary accommodation including marquees have been removed. As part of the schools rebuilding programme the DfE are reviewing school estates which include RAAC affected and other areas of the site.

It was confirmed this school is part of the school re-building programme. This will be in tranche two for 2025/26 DfE projects whereby long terms works are undertaken. All classrooms are operational.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and Education added that interim remediation works have now been completed at East Tilbury Primary School, to ensure the safety and operation of all RAAC areas. All RAAC temporary accommodation including marquees has been removed.

As part of the schools rebuilding programme the DfE are looking at the whole school estate which includes RAAC affected and all other areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Members were advised the briefing note was marked as exempt as it contained details regarding individual cases. The Portfolio Holder’s verbal update did not require an exempt session as the discussion regarding complaints would remain high level rather than focus on individual cases.

The Chair advised Members that he felt the Mossbourne Task and Finish Group should have been formed. Stating that parents have been sceptical to go through the complaints process, and there should be an alternative for those who are scared to report issues to the school.

The Portfolio Holder for Children Services and Education proceeded to update the Committee. Advising that a total of three complaints have been made and two have been closed with no further actions.

The outstanding complaint continues to be investigated and an update regarding the outcome will be provided once known. One local complaint is being addressed via an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to support the child’s needs and a meeting is due to be arranged to liaise with the parents.

The Portfolio Holder for Children Services and Education added she met with DfE Regional Schools Director on 24 February 2025. During this meeting they discussed safeguarding, SEND and parental confidence. The DfE are confident in Mossbourne’ s approach and importance of following complaints process was reiterated. Further meetings will be arranged to track progress.

The Portfolio Holder for Children Services and Education confirmed she met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 28 February 2025. They discussed safeguarding, staffing, SEND, parental complaints, pupil place planning, and stakeholder relationships.

Members were provided with an update on the safeguarding review in Hackney. It was confirmed no child is at any immediate risk. This has been fed-back to parents to reassure them. The Portfolio Holder for Children Services and Education added she is happy to keep Members updated once the review is complete.

Members were advised the Mossbourne Federation are concerned some parents have lost confidence in the complaints process. As a result, they have appointed a senior barrister to conduct an independent review, with the hopes to restore confidence.

Members were reassured that there is a rationale for the changes to how SEND is provided and backed up with empirical evidence. In addition to this there has been no staffing changes this academic year. Parent meetings were previously held in January, and the next meetings will be in April and June 2025.

Members were advised the Portfolio Holder for Children Services and Education was confident that Mossbourne Federation were taking things seriously and will continue to build working and good collaborative relationships – as well as attend regular half termly meetings.

Members queried the status of the governing body. The Portfolio Holder for Children Services and Education was unable to provide an update on this however agreed to report back to members.

The Chair thanked the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and Education and officers for their detailed update, stating there was evidence progress has been made.

Members noted the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

The Assistant Director presented this report to committee. Advising it is an extract from the Cabinet paper which highlights financial performance for Adult Social Care and Health and Children’s Services.

Members were advised Adult Social Care and Health, have a projected expenditure of £51.335m against a budget of £52.979m, representing a £1.644m underspend position (3%). This is an increase in the underspend position by £0.263m on the quarter 2 position. In an overall underspend position although increases to client numbers and average weekly unit costs to placements. However, this has been mitigated by some reductions in mental health homecare costs. The £2.933m savings target for 2024-25 for the Adults & Health Directorate, at quarter 3 the forecast saving is £2.878m (98%).

Members were advised Children’s Services budget of £47.679m has a projected spend of £49.143m at quarter 3, with transfers from earmarked reserves of £1.145m. This results in a forecast overspend position of £0.319m (0.7%), a reduction of £0.215m on the quarter 2 position.

It was confirmed the highest overspend are in placements support budget. Overall placement numbers of 274 remain below the budgeted number of 294, a variance of 20, however, the increased complexity of need of some young people has resulted in additional support being provided.

Members were informed the ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ and high expenditure in Leaving Care was impacting the overspend. School Transport Service reported an underspend. It was confirmed the £2.008m savings target for 2024-25 for the Children’s Services Directorate, all savings are forecast for full delivery (100%).

It was confirmed the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is forecasting an outturn position of £1.453m (1.3%) overspend, against a budget of £61.870m at quarter 3. Funding in the amount of £0.631m has been projected to be transferred from the ringfenced DSG reserve to offset this overspend position.

In addition to this the Adults and Health Capital Program shows a projected outturn of £0.553m against a budget of £1.473m. Anticipated slippage at quarter 3 is estimated at £0.920m (62.5%).

Members were advised the Children’s Services Capital Budget for 2024/25 is a total of £1.946m, with a projected outturn position at quarter 3 of £1.774m. Anticipated slippage at quarter 3 against this position is £0.172m (8.8%).

Members queried why there were weekly cost placements fluctuations. It was confirmed this was a result of complexity that impacts the costs increase. The Interim Executive Adults and Health added there are 1,700 clients with care packages that may have variance. The fluctuations are the result of long-term or short-term increases in home care. The Executive Director Children’s Services confirmed this is similar for children’s pressures with children’s placement costs.

The Chair thanked the team for their work.

Recommendations:

2.1 Note and comment on the Adults & Health Directorate’s projected underspend position of £1.644m at Quarter 3, as per Section 4.1.1.

2.2 Note and comment on the Adults & Health savings delivery for 2024/25 against the target, as per section 4.1.5.

2.3 Note and comment on the Children’s Services projected overspend position at Quarter  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

The Director of Midwifery at Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust presented the report to Committee. Advising that on 25-27 March 2024, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the three maternity services across Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust’s acute sites, at Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals.

Members were advised there are four themes of concern noted on all three maternity sites: governance, triage, staffing, and quality of care. The maternity services at Basildon Hospital have remained as requires improvement overall. The maternity unit was rated requires improvement for being safe, effective, and well-led. It has been rated good for being responsive.

Members were advised the new CQC inspection framework does not have a rating domain for each section that may be inspected. Where certain areas are not inspected, the rating is taken from the previous inspection and is included within the current rating. Areas that have had positive improvements that are not reviewed and still have their previous rating of requires improvement will have an impact on the new overall rating.

Members were advised several improvements to the quality of the maternity service since this inspection. Improvement of quality of the overall service. Including midwifery staffing levels, completion of staff training, more midwifery support to address delays in the birth reflections clinic, patients offered timely appointments; audits consistently completed to ensure quality of care is maintained and sufficient foetal monitoring equipment is now available.

It was noted that there have been some concerns regarding delays to induction of labour and only 35% of risk assessments were made with the patient. As a result, they have implemented a perinatal improvement programme. As well as working in collaboration with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to host events to support vulnerable women.

The Director of Midwifery added they continue to retain midwives with improved training. Equipment is audited, assessed, and checked monthly.

Members were advised the Section 31 has been lifted by CQC, and they are satisfied with improvements.

Members queried how improvements were monitored and how complaints were responded too. It was confirmed complaints are reviewed monthly. They also monitor improvement via the Perinatal Assurance Group and feedback from staff and patients.

Members were advised they conducted a deep dive into maternal deaths across the Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust and all patients were provided with a personalised care plan. They are aware more is required to support vulnerable women from certain cultures. The Chief Operating Officer of Healthwatch added they completed work with parents and there is now an independent advocate for mothers who also provide interpretation services.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health thanked officers for their work and queried what assurances could be provided regarding leadership changes since 2019. It was confirmed that there has been a shift in culture. The current leadership has maintained a positive culture that seeks to embed change and apply behaviour insights.

Members queried whether there were any concerns regarding the quality and maintenance of their buildings. It was confirmed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

The Chair raised the possibility of a committee meeting in late April 2025. Agenda items to be confirmed in liaison with the Monitoring Officer.

Potential future work programme items to include:

• Mental Health Working Group with a focus on children.
• Women’s Health Strategy
• Joint People and Place O&S Task and Finish Group regarding air quality

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised the committee the action log is now included within the published papers following the changes to the Overview and Scrutiny procedure rules.

Members were advised since publication, action three has been closed as a response letter has been received and shared with the Committee.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised this is included within the published papers following the changes to the Overview and Scrutiny procedure rules. It complements both the minutes and action log to highlight the scrutiny journey of agenda items.