Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Kate Watson, the Parent Governor Representative for  Special Schools, and Robert Sanders, the Church of England Schools Representative.

The Chairman noted that Councillor Neville Penman would be late joining the Committee meeting.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

No declarations were made at this point in the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2020 were agreed by the Committee as a correct record of the meeting.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

The Committee received two deputations in relation to Item 6 ‘Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Covid-19 Impact and Response for the Childcare Sector’.

Councillor Jackie Porter declared a personal interest at this point in proceedings as a trustee at Kings Worthy pre-school.

The first deputation was from Mandy Adams, manager of Compton and Shawford pre-school.  Mandy addressed the Committee and Members heard that Compton and Shawford pre-school was semi-rural, and over the last 3/4 years, the pre-school had operated at a loss, and as a result there was uncertainty over its future.  Mandy highlighted that the current funding system from Government wasn’t enough as all settings were different, and the ‘one size fits all’ approach wasn’t viable.  Members heard concerns in relation to the layout of the pre-school and numbers of staff/child ratio to ensure safeguarding, and it was heard that there would be more flexibility if the pre-school had larger premises.   

Mandy highlighted that the pre-school was hugely important to the local community, and was also reliant on fund raising from the community.  Members also heard that there was more pressure on staffing in relation to pay and pensions.  As a local community pre-school, it was highlighted that the current early years funding wasn’t viable, and as a result of Covid, there were now increased costs in relation to areas such as cleaning, which would continue into and beyond September.

The second deputation was from Joanne Meharg, Chair of Kings Worthy pre-school.  It was heard that Kings Worthy pre-school has seven members of staff, looking after 49 children in term time.   Joanne highlighted the difficulties between a viable fee structure and being affordable for all, and she explained that early years funding had not kept pace with the rise in costs, and notably wages.  Members also heard that the 30 hours funding has been restrictive on settings to control their overall income generation from hourly fees with restrictions on what can be charged for.  It was heard that few grants fund existing projects, cover staffing and core costs for pre-schools and these are regarded as being covered by statutory early years funding.  Concerns about time taken up on safeguarding cases was highlighted, with every safeguarding scenario adding pressure to already overstretched early years funding. 

Members heard that at the start of Covid, vulnerable and key worker families chose not to take up places offered and the pre-school setting had to close, with families being supported at home. There was also clarification that the early years sector would not receive 80% of furlough funding, and Joanne highlighted the 26% for her setting based on figures for the spring term.  To re-open would mean operating at a loss, with increased costs in cleaning as a result of Covid. 

It was heard Covid had also brought additional needs, used up reserves and highlighted flaws in the current funding system.  Concerns over vulnerable children were highlighted, as well as children with additional needs, and it was heard that Covid had delayed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 132.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman thanked Councillor Marge Harvey for her contribution as a Member of the Committee, and congratulated her on her new role as Vice-Chairman of the County Council.  The Chairman also welcomed Councillor Bill Withers to his first meeting as a Member of the Committee.

The Chairman also reminded Members of the new poll voting method for recommendations, which could be accessed in the meeting chat facility.

For the Select Committee to receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of childcare sufficiency assessment and Covid-19 impact and response for the childcare sector.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Covid-19 Impact and Response for the Childcare Sector (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

The item was introduced and Members heard that the purpose of the report was to update Members on the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, and the statutory duty to ensure sufficient childcare places in Hampshire, the priority actions identified and also progress made on these as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Members were taken through the presentation slides and an overview of the context of childcare in Hampshire pre-pandemic was set out.  Members attention was drawn to page 3 of the presentation slides for Item 6 which detailed the numbers of children accessing childcare through universal entitlement of 15 hours centrally funded childcare,  extended entitlement of 30 hours childcare and eligible two year olds accessing childcare in Hampshire.  As mentioned by the deputees, it is seen as a diverse market place with many different provisions and settings which can make it challenging to provide support.

Funding for the sector was outlined on page 4 of the presentation slides, and it was heard that most funding was received from private fees rather than Early Years Education (EYE) funding, and as a result of the Covid pandemic, this has had a significant impact on the sector.  It was noted that there are concerns that EYE funding isn’t enough to sustain the sector.  Members were taken through the action plan priorities as set out on page 5 of the presentation slides and pages 16-18 of the report, and the progress made with these was explained.  It was heard that because of Covid, some reviews into action plan priorities such as rural childcare, and childcare for under twos and two year olds had been delayed.

Page 6 of the presentation slides highlighted the Covid impact on attendance and provision for the early years sector and it was noted that in January 2020, there were 34,000 children attending early years providers, which dropped to 300 at the start of lockdown, and this reflected children of key workers and vulnerable children.  May and June did see rises in figures, but Government guidance for the sector asked providers to supply early years provision in bubbles of no more than 8, which also reduced capacity for how providers could operate.  Further guidance encouraging parents to only use one provider could affect sector places moving forward.

The out of school sector was explained and it was heard that this sector was unable to open from the 20 March, but from the 1 July there was wider opening to support school holidays.  Officers have outreached to this sector by webinar and to pass any concerns from this sector to the Department for Education (DfE), primarily in terms of maintaining bubbles and ambiguity in the guidance.  It was heard that work was continuing to support this sector with ensuring holiday provision for children of parents who needed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134.

For the Select Committee to receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an outline of the impact and response of the Children’s Services Department to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services, outlining the department’s response to Covid-19 (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

The presentation was introduced and the Director invited Assistant Directors within the service to present their specific service areas to the Committee.  Members heard first about the department’s work with children and families during lockdown.  Page 38 of the agenda pack set out the planning through a phased approach for managing with fewer staff throughout the pandemic, whilst also identifying key priority services which had to be kept operational throughout all three phases.  It was highlighted that the service maintained the position in phase one throughout, and all statutory services and timescales were kept in place.  Members noted the new guidance which was issued to staff very early on, and constant engagement between senior managers and teams, with an emphasis on maintaining a good audit trail on decisions made during this time.   The data slide as set out on page 40 of the agenda pack detailed the number of referrals in March and April compared to the same period last year.  It was explained that an increase in demand had been experienced in June this year as some families had not received services from other agencies and had gone into crisis, and more emergency steps had been implemented.  However it was noted that even with the move out of lockdown, officers were expecting the increased numbers to remain due to other factors such as unemployment and increased mental health issues.

The different ways of working with children and families during lockdown were explained, and whilst there had been visits by staff wearing full PPE, 90% of work involved the use of technology, which included virtual meetings with older children and assessments for virtual court hearings.  The outstanding work undertaken by all staff to maintain support and commitment to children in care during lockdown was also highlighted to the Committee, and attention was drawn to page 42 and page 43 of the agenda pack which detailed the breath of this work.  Members also noted the continued strong partnership working in Hampshire during lockdown in the sharing of information and a responsive approach.  The Committee heard that whilst staff had adapted quickly to a new way of working over the last few months, managers continued to be mindful to individual staff wellbeing, and the importance of frequent contact and support.

Page 48 of the agenda pack highlighted areas of working during lockdown which had been positively received, worked well and would continue, as well as areas of improvement.  It was noted that whilst resource planning was underway for an anticipated spike in demand, work was also underway to explore the transition of staff to office based working whilst maintaining some of the identified new positive ways of working within the service.

The impact of Covid-19 in relation to education was explained to the Committee and the background to the closure of schools for all children other than those of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135.

For the Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the proposed changes to the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement 2020. 

The Committee received, for pre-scrutiny, a report on proposed changes to the Post-16 Transport Policy Statement 2020 (Item 8 in the Minute Book).  These proposed changes were due to the considered by the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People at her Decision Day that afternoon.

A personal interest was declared by Councillor Wayne Irish at this point in proceedings as a school governor. 

The report was introduced by the Director of Children’s Services and the statutory duty of Home to School Transport and the post-16 policy was explained.  It was noted that due to legal challenges to the post-16 policy, this had been amended and was now being brought back for a decision.  The Director highlighted that the policy had been through a consultation process, as well as examination by legal advisors and QC and amended accordingly.

The Director also drew Members attention to the savings target which was now significantly reduced, primarily due to the way that young people over 18 years are considered, having previously been in the remit of adult social care. 

In response to questions, Members heard:

·         That legally, the Council had to have a current policy in place to meet statutory requirements.

·         That the Government position would need to be followed, but there could be issues in September in terms of transport timings and ‘bubbles’.

·         That further guidance would be announced from the Government in terms of Covid and Home to School Transport, and adaptions would be made in accordance with this guidance.

·         That legal advisors to the Council were satisfied that the policy had addressed all legal points.

·         That the policy could not be delayed because of Covid, as it was a legal requirement to ensure a current policy was in place.

An additional recommendation was proposed by Councillor Jackie Porter and seconded by Councillor Gavin James:

‘That the Children and Young People Select Committee receive an update on the effects of the new Policy within six months.’

A vote was held, and this recommendation was agreed by the majority of Members.

A vote was held on the recommendation to the Executive Lead Member as detailed on Page 1 of the front cover report to Item 8, and this was agreed by the majority of Members.

RESOLVED:

a)  That the Children and Young People Select Committee receive an update on the effects of the new Policy within six months.

b)  That the Children and Young People Select Committee consider and support the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People in Paragraphs two and three of the attached report.

For the Select Committee to receive a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing a further update on progress following the implementation of the SEND reforms.

Due to the length of time spent on earlier items, this item was deferred to a future meeting of the Committee.

To consider and approve the Children and Young People Select Committee Work Programme.

The Director of Transformation and Governance presented the Committee’s work programme (Item 10 in the Minute Book).

The Chairman drew Members attention to the changes to the work programme since the last meeting which were highlighted in red.  The Chairman also proposed that in light of the cancellation of the 14 May 2020 meeting because of Covid, that an additional meeting of the Committee be scheduled for September 2020.  Members were in agreement with this.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme, subject to the additions set out above, was agreed.