Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Fran Carpenter and Councillor Ray Bolton attended the meeting as the Conservative substitute member.

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 Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 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.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman gave thanks to all headteachers and school staff who had worked tirelessly to keep pupils safe during the pandemic and provided an essence of normality for them. Pupils had shown amazing resilience during this time and had adapted well to the changes that had been made in schools. Appreciation was also given for officers, both Childrens Services and Public Health for the support they had provided to schools.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the impact and response to Covid-19.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on the impact of Covid-19 on Education.

During the presentation, Members were updated on the attendance statistics for Hampshire’s secondary and primary schools during the pandemic, which was higher than the national average.. The Director also spoke about the extensive support provided to schools by the County Council and Public Health during this period and how positive cases were managed and reported.

A number of detailed questions were answered and points highlighted around:

·         IT equipment being provided to schools for pupils to access remote learning

·         Learning from current online experience and  case studies of pupils working from home

·         Staff shortages during the pandemic and the vaccine take up

·         Increase in elective home education take up

The Headteacher of Ringwood Primary School gave a presentation on how the school had responded during this time. This included:

·         Covid measures put in place to open in September such as zoning, cleaning and providing the appropriate teaching equipment.

·         Remote and blended learning particularly for disadvantaged pupils

·         Trial of lateral flow testing for pupils

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on key initiatives around Kickstart, Apprenticeships and Employability Hubs.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on Post 16 Education.

The Director outlined details of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds claiming Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.

It was noted that the County Council had committed to providing 30 (min) direct Kickstart placements across the organisation, starting between November 2020 and December 2021 and were near to submitting their first cohorts to the Department for Education.

The Director advised that the Scheme was being promoted through roadshows running alongside the County Council’s Apprenticeship programme and through its Careers Service

Members were also updated on the newly developed Hampshire Skills Recovery Plan which contained a number of actions, including:

·         Apprenticeships – levy programme continues with incentives for employers (up to £2k)

·         Apprenticeships – committed £2m to the levy transfer fund, supported by the new Apprenticeship Hubs

·         Young People - SEND Employability Hubs launched, expansion of Supported Internships and Traineeships

·         Young People – Hampshire-led multi-LA proposal to the Youth Futures Trust (outcome Spring 2021)

·         Adult Skills - £1.3m programme Inc. focused on employability and digital skills

·         Employment  - incl. DWP Work-based Academy (Care) and Construction Skills Fund projects

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted.