Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor R A Clay.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interests was declared:

Councillor P M Meara - personal - Minute No. 24 – Member of Foster Panel. 

Mrs S Joiner – personal – Minute No. 24 – Chair of Friends of Pennard Library.

In accordance with the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, no declarations of Whipped Votes or Party Whips were declared.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on 13 July, 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on 13 July, 2015 be agreed as a correct record.

(Councillor Christine Richards attending)

The Committee took the opportunity to question Councillor Christine Richards, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Services to Children and Young People.

Members’ noted the short report on ‘headlines’ in relation to portfolio objectives which assisted the Committee in focusing on priorities, actions, achievements and impact.

The Cabinet Member referred to work in respect of:

·       The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the success in developing all but 5 Swansea Schools as Rights Respecting Schools;

·       The reconfiguration of Youth Services focussing on early intervention and provision;

·       Positive progress being made within Child and Family Services.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Services to Children and Young People.

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member for Services to Children and Young People stated that:

1)    As far as the Council and other partners were aware, there were no signs of gangs within Swansea who were sexually exploiting vulnerable children.  However, there were people who sexually abuse and exploit children and it was everyone’s role to be the eyes and ears in local community and never be afraid to raise any issues.  She added that Safeguarding was one of the Council’s Corporate Objectives and expressed her disappointment at the lack of Councillor participation in respect of online sexual exploitation training.   With regard to the child sexual exploitation training offered to staff, she reported that there had been some positive outcomes with referrals.  The Cabinet Member referred to the  Child Sexual Exploitation Conference last October, which had been well attended with private, public and third sector organisations and had been successful in raising awareness; 

2)    she would be meeting with Councillor Crouch and a representative of the Egypt Centre in the next few weeks regarding the development of a Children’s University; 

3)    she had made it known to Officers that wanted the Authority to be a ‘family firm’ providing opportunities for the LAC population; 

4)    the Gypsy Traveller Education Service had moved into Poverty and Prevention and regardless of where the provision was situated it was her aim to ensure joined up working around young people.  Gypsy Travellers had been consulted and had chosen to stay with people that they knew and trusted.  

5)    With the reduction in budgets and possible closure of rural libraries, local schools would have a role to play to ensure children had access to books.

6)    The reduction in the Child and Family Services budget had been achieved as a result of the safe LAC reduction strategy and the increased use of Foster Swansea.

7)    The reduction of opening hours in Info-nation had been as a result of consultation with young people and discussions were ongoing with the Local Health Board with regard to funding contributions.   

The Cabinet Member asked the Committee whether there were any areas within her Portfolio that would be of interest to Scrutiny. 

A discussion ensued regarding the Children and Young People’s Board and the need to revitalise the meetings.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for attending.

RESOLVED that:

a.     The Chair of Scrutiny Programme Committee write to the Cabinet Member reflecting the discussion and sharing the views of the Committee; and

b.     The letter(s) from the committee include the questions received for other Councillors for formal response.

(Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams attending)

The Convenor of the Child & Family Service Scrutiny Performance Panel presented the Panel Update August 2015 to the Scrutiny Programme Committee.

He stated that he had meet this afternoon and congratulated Child and Family Services on the data they had provided.   It was noted that the Department was developing a National reputation for being innovative.  However, the levels of referrals were still giving concern.

In response to a Member question, the Convenor stated that he was reasonable happy with the level of information provided from the Western Bay Partnership.

The Chair thanked the Convenor of the Child & Family Service Scrutiny Performance Panel for his informative update. 

RESOLVED that the update report be NOTED.

The Chair presented a report which sought consideration of support and development needs for scrutiny councillors, in particular to help deliver agreed improvement outcomes for scrutiny.

A discussion and the following areas for potential training were identified:

·       WLGA Councillor Skills Workshop;

·       Councils Budget;

·       Questioning Skills

RESOLVED that discussions would take place with Democratic Services Committee in relation to compiling training needs.

The chair’s report invited the committee to consider the scrutiny work programme for the year ahead, taking into account feedback from the Scrutiny Work Planning Conference held on 8 June.

The report provided the committee with:

·       The current work programme

·       A plan for future committee meetings

·       A progress report on the various existing Panels and Working Groups

·       Papers and feedback from the Scrutiny Working Planning Conference

A discussion ensued regarding potential working groups.

RESOLVED that:

a.     the committee work plan be accepted; and

b.     draft proposals for new activities for the scrutiny work programme, based on the committee’s discussion, be reported to the next meeting for agreement.

The Chair presented a report which advised of changes required to the membership of Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups.

RESOLVED that the Members of the proposed Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services Inquiry agree and nominate a Convenor.

The Chair reported the Scrutiny Letters Log and referred to recent correspondence between Scrutiny and Cabinet Members.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Letters Log be NOTED.

The Chair stated that there had been no recent Scrutiny events.

The Chair stated that there were no upcoming Scrutiny events.

RESOLVED that the Audit Committee Work Plan be NOTED.

The date and time of upcoming Panel / Working Group meetings were provided for information to help increase the visibility of this work and encourage participation.