Apologies were received for Sharon Stoltz, Angela Surrey and Kim James. No further apologies were received.

The Chair advised the committee that the Urgent Items of Business had been removed from People Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting. Therefore, used the opportunity to discuss the Shared Lives Report that previously went to Cabinet. Advising that he is withdrawing his call-in. The extraordinary meeting that was arranged for 6 February 2025 to hear the call-in has therefore been postponed and will not go ahead.

The Chair expressed concerns as to why the report did not come to People Overview and Scrutiny beforehand, however agreed with the scheme and did not want to delay it any further.

The Chair also raised concerns regarding maternity services in Basildon hospital and requested that the outcome of the CQC inspection be brought back to the Committee meeting on 4 March 2025.

To approve the minutes of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 19 November 2024.

Minutes were approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair of the Childhood Obesity Task and Finish Group presented this report to committee.

Members were advised that the Childhood Obesity Task and Finish Group was implements to address high, and increasing, levels of obesity in Thurrock in response to People Overview and Scrutiny’s concerns regarding the high rates of childhood overweight and obesity in Thurrock. Advising that there is an urgent need to halt the growth upward trend, then bring it down to reverse it, and improve the health outcomes of children and young people into adulthood.

It was confirmed that the Childhood Task and Finish group attended five themed sessions. This included a Health in All Policies approach to healthy place shaping (HIAP), maternity and health visiting, a meeting with wider stakeholders including early years providers, the community and voluntary sector, schools and physical activity providers, young people and a visit to a family hub to speak with staff and parents/carers. There were some supplementary meetings and visits.

Members were advised the key themes were lack of confidence and awareness in how to choose and prepare healthy foods, perception of many healthy foods being expensive, ease of obtaining fast food and perceived barriers to physical activity and exercise. 

The recommendations seek to address these by improving signposting of services and offerings within the borough, increase community and partnership engagements, strengthened collaboration between Council departments, empowering staff within primary care and the wider system to help patients with their weight, and for areas outside of council control such as schools and other stakeholders including Integrated Care Board (ICB) to work with them to achieve aims. 

It was confirmed that good things were taking place in Thurrock already to support the recommendations of the report. Including the local child weight management offer that has been strengthened. Two HENRY programmes have recently launched in Thurrock for 0-4- and 5–12-year-olds and their families. The initiatives helps parents with many aspects of childcare, but with a key focus on healthy eating and nutrition. In addition to this a new council led Health Trainer service will launch in April, including an adult weight management offer, should see improvements in offerings and outcomes.

In addition to this a bid is in development to seek funding from Sport England via their ‘Place Expansion Programme’ to improve the physical activity offer in Thurrock. Impulse leisure and Active Essex are bringing out more attainable exercise options which are subsidised or free and community projects such as community capacity building, food growing schemes and food provision such as the Purfleet pantry are underway. 

The Chair of the Childhood Obesity Task and Finish Group added the findings and recommendations of the report were incorporated within a new Thurrock Healthy Weight Strategy which is in development. The Strategy adopts a whole-system approach to supporting individuals of all ages in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Once finalised, the Strategy will be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board and Cabinet. Adding that the report will go to cabinet in March.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

The Assistant Director of Financial Management and Procurement presented this item to the committee.

Advising of an underspend of £153k and reduction in the underspend position on external placements. It was confirmed there has been an increase in client numbers in receipt of homecare and direct payments in Mental Health Services between quarter 1 and 2.  Physical disability services have seen an increase in client numbers in nursing care and supported living since quarter 1.

Members were advised there has been an increase in spending for Children and family services. This is due to placement costs increases, and complexities causing increases in rising fees and support costs. It was confirmed that these costs have been partially offset by increased contributions from Health and Education. Further pressures on the dedicated schools grant and high needs block were discussed.

Members were advised that the 2024-25 approved Capital Budget is a total of £107.5m; £58.4m general fund services and £49.1m HRA. At the end of quarter 2, there is anticipated slippage on the general fund capital programme of £30.6m (52%) and £10.2m (21%) on the HRA capital programme.

Members asked for reassurance that the budgets will be balanced in consideration of the £3 million overspend in quarter two and quarter one.

Members were advised that services have been asked to take action to mitigate their pressures within the current financial year, where possible. Pressures that are ongoing into the next financial year, will be reflected in the MTFS Budget Setting process for 2025/26. In addition to this they are carrying out deep dives on all budget areas and there will be further reductions.

The Chair sought clarity on the historic reserves questioning why they were no longer required. It was confirmed that reserves had been combined to offset unforeseen costs and demographic reserves. This will allow the team to mitigate budget pressures. Members were advised the demographic reserves relates to the growing complexity in the population across Thurrock borough.

The Chair read out the following recommendations.

2.1 Note and comment on the council’s Service position and forecast overspend position as at quarter 2 of £2.722m, representing a reduction of £0.348m on the position presented at quarter 1.

2.2 Note and comment on the council’s overall position and forecast overspend position at quarter 2 of £1.896m, representing a reduction of £0.209m on the position presented at quarter 1.

2.3 Note the approval of the transfer of £1.381m reserves to a MTFS Delivery Reserve and £1.5m to an Adult Social Care & Children’s Social Care Demographic Risk Reserve (as per section 14 of Appendix 1 and 4.7 below) approved at Cabinet 11th December 2024.

2.4 To note and comment on the progress made on delivery against the savings target for 2024/25 and the remaining red (unachievable) rated savings.

2.5 Further to an in-depth review and re-profiling of the General fund capital projects, to note and comment on the capital programme, and the anticipated General Fund Capital Programme slippage of £30.627m and £10.157m HRA Capital Programme slippage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Head of School Effectiveness and SEND presented this report to the committee. Advising that the Childcare Act 2006 gives councils a key role in shaping the childcare market in their area and all local authorities have a duty of securing, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient childcare to meet the requirements of parents to enable them to: take up, or remain in, work. 

Members were advised that Section 12 of the Act places a duty on English councils to provide information, advice and assistance to parents and prospective parents. Section 13 places a duty on councils to provide information and advice to childcare providers. The Department for Education (DfE) require councils to "report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare and to make this report available and accessible to parents.”

It was confirmed there is a need for childcare places in Thurrock and the team are helping independent providers to increase accessibility to support supply and demand.

Members expressed concern regarding funding for children in early years with Special Education Needs (SEN). It was confirmed that they do receive funding for this, and the requests come to the local authority.

Members queried whether childminders had access to training, and whether this was regular and chargeable. It was confirmed that there is a small fee of £10, it takes place outside of working hours, however the uptake is low.

Members queried how they balance the childcare needs with distribution to match local areas and the increase of new developments. Members were advised it depends on the growth in housing and need. They prioritise areas that have the highest need for childcare facilities and encourage independent providers to open childcare settings. Unfortunately, there are restrictions around available properties for childcare settings. As a result, the team are working hard with schools to increase their early years capacity.

The Chair queried what Members could do support the team. The Head of School Effectiveness and SEND advised that they struggle to obtain suitable properties for childcare settings. Requesting that Members be mindful of the council’s childcare duties when considering planning permissions for new developments. In addition to this, Members were encouraged to support parents to identify where childcare places are required.

The Chair read the following recommendations.

2.1 Review the Funded Childcare Provision and Wrapround Childcare Needs Sufficiency Assessment to understand the supply and development requirements of early education, childcare and wraparound care in Thurrock.

2.2 Consider the Council’s duty towards early year’s education and childcare in any new strategic developments.

The recommendations were approved.

Members from the Youth Cabinet were unable to attend. The briefing note was noted by the committee. There were no further questions.

The Chair thanked the Youth Cabinet for all the work they have completed adding they that carried out some exceptional events and are very influential across Thurrock.

The Head of Democratic Scrutiny and Member Services presented the task and finish group scoping document to the committee. Advising the decision to establish the task and finish group lies with the Committee and the document sets out the parameters and the specifics of what the task and finish group can achieve. It was highlighted that the task and finish group cannot replace the school’s complaints procedures and Mossbourne Federation don’t have to engage with the task and finish group. Members were advised that the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and Education would progress any recommendations that came from the task and finish group and the officers involved would draft questions for the consultation.

The Chair provided some background to Members. Advising that there are two failing schools and concerns regarding the management of the schools and well-being of the children. The Department for Education (DfE) stepped in to find a trust and after some time it was eventually brokered with the Mossbourne Federation. Members were advised that deadlines for the takeover have been missed, various complaints have been submitted across different wards and there has been a lack of communication from the Mossbourne Federation.

Members were advised the purpose of the task and finish group would be to gather evidence and be an impartial voice to the parents, residents, school staff and the governing body. The task and finish group has been allocated a 10-week timeframe.

The Chair went on to discuss a specific incident that happened and was currently being investigated. The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services raised concerns that this incident was being discussed in the public domain and agreed to discuss this further with the Chair outside of the meeting.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services went on to clarify a few points contained within the scoping document, adding that it was not a ‘take-over’ instead it was re-brokering. The Portfolio Holder also requested that the wording in the scoping document be changed from ‘to assess if there may be safeguarding concerns’ to ‘may be safeguarding issues at the school’.

The Chair advised the incident he was referring was already in the public domain with two independent inquiries currently underway.

Members queried whether the school would co-operate and if there are safeguarding issues whether a task and finish group would be appropriate to handle this. The Assistant Director for Education and Children’s Commissioning advised that if the task and finish group don’t think it’s appropriate, they can refer it to Ofsted, who will send it to the local authority and the Mossbourne Federation don’t have to engage with the task and finish group.

The Chair added that the local authority is responsible for safeguarding and advised Members that Mossbourne have been holding meetings with parents to alleviate some of their concerns. The Assistant Director for Education and Commissioning added that if there are several safeguarding concerns it can trigger an inspection.

Members queried whether the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and Education has been able to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

The Chair went through the work programme, and suggested that the update on Mossbourne Federation Trust be added. Along with the Mid South Essex Trust Maternity CQC Inspection.

The Chair thanked everyone for their time.