Council and democracy

Councillor Morris-Cook requested a report on Cultural Entitlement be referred to the Committee in February 2015.

Councillor Ojetola requested than a report on the Admissions Forum be referred to the Committee in February or March 2015.

Democratic Services advised that a report on the Early Officer of Help Commissioned Services be added to the Work Programme of Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny for the 2015/16 Municipal Year, following Members request during the earlier item.

Democratic Services recommended that a number of to be confirmed items be supplied in the form of a briefing note to Members,  as there was only two meetings left in the current municipal year and a number of outstanding items.

In response Councillor Ojetola requested that the Grangewaters item be brought to the Committee in the form of a formal report as it was an important issue.

Councillor Halden sought clarification regarding the budget item and questioned whether the budget report on the previous agenda, which had been deferred due to the purdah period, was now defunct or whether a further budget update report would be provided.

The Director of Children’s Services explained that the report which had been deferred was now out of date and the report had already been referred to Cabinet. Members were advised that the a more up-to-date budget proposal had been presented to the Committee this evening on the Libraries savings proposals and a further budget report would be presented to the Committee in February 2015 specifically focusing on Nurseries.

Democratic Services clarified that a standing budget update and savings proposals item was included on the work programme for each meeting, however that this would be themed appropriately nearer to the time of each meeting depending on the nature of proposals. As a result a general budget update would not be provided but detailed savings proposals on particular relevant issues, for example the library service or nursery provision.

The Director of Children’s Services confirmed a number of amendments to the work programme which included:

·         That the Grangewaters Alternative Delivery Model be brought to the Committee in March 2015.

·         That the Annual Report of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and the Youth Cabinet Report be brought to the Committee in February or March 2015.

·         An update on the YOS annual report be supplied to the Committee in the form of a briefing note before the end of the current municipal year.

·         That the Local Government Ombudsman report had been completed at the previous meeting.

·         That the report of the next SCIE review be paired with the Jay Report and an update report be referred to the Committee in February 2015.

RESOLVED:

1.         That an additional item on Cultural Entitlement be added to the work programme for February 2015.

2.         That an additional item regarding the Admissions Forum be added to the work programme for February or March 2015.

3.         That a report on the Early Officer of Help Commissioned Services be added to the work programme for the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

4.         That the work programme be noted, subject to the amendments detailed above.

Councillor Morris-Cook sought an update from the Director of Children’s Services regarding a number of issues raised at the previous meeting, including any old cases of child exploitation and children missing from education.

In response, the Director of Children’s Services explained that a recent audit of schools had so far not highlighted any cases which had not been brought to children’s social care attention previously and that the service was regularly monitoring any cases where children were missing from school and following these up with other services and departments.

Reverend Barlow commended the success of the Education Awards and congratulated all staff and professionals involved which was echoed by Members.  Reverend Barlow added that he would have liked to have seen more Further Education categories or entrants given the growth in this sector in Thurrock.

The Director of Children’s Services highlighted that there had been one Further Education winner and agreed that it had been an excellent evening in bringing the community together.