The Chair introduced his report that provided an update regarding progress made since the last Committee meeting held on 26 September 2017. The report informed that the current work programme was made up of a combination of scrutiny reviews, workshops, standing items and requested officer reports. The Chair advised that the agenda report provided the Committee with the opportunity to plan and regularly review its work across the municipal year. The current work programme for the Committee was attached as an appendix to the report. The report also informed that the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in cooperation with the other three Overview and Scrutiny Committees, was responsible for proposing and delivering an annual scrutiny work programme.

The Chair highlighted a number of key points pertinent to his report, namely:

• that the Statutory Care Plan scrutiny review was now underway, the scope having been agreed and further task and finish group meetings being scheduled. It was hoped that the final report would be available for the March 2018 meeting of the Committee;

• Reality Check Visits – the next visit to the Early Childhood Service was expected to take place on or about the 6/7 December 2017. The Chair asked for Members to take part in the visit – the following Members volunteered to attend:

Councillor Tom Usher

Councillor Alan Brighouse

Councillor Paul Hayes

Councillor Moira McLaughlin

Councillor Chris Meaden

Councillor Jean Stapleton;

• a training session for members was being planned, and a provisional date had been set for 16 January 2017; and

• it was anticipated that workshops would be held for members of each of the Scrutiny Committees to review proposals as the 2018/19 budget is developed. The most likely timing of which would be during January 2018.

Resolved – That the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme update for 2017/18 be noted.

Prior to closing the meeting the Chair expressed his gratitude and thanks of the Committee for all the work undertaken by Ms Deborah Gornik in her role as Interim Director for Children.