Members of the Committee are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any item(s) on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members are reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they are subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Members of the Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, in connection with any item(s) on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members were reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they were subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Councillor Irene Williams declared a non pecuniary interest in Item 2.22 of the Consultation Findings: What really matters Stage 2 report – Youth and Play Services (Minute 64 post refers) by virtue of having some involvement with the Bebington Youth Club having collected some signatures for the petition.

Councillor Paul Doughty declared a non pecuniary interest in Item 2.24 of the Consultation Findings: What really matters Stage 2 report – Children’s Centres and Sure Start (Minute 64 post refers) by virtue of being an owner of a children’s nursery.

Councillor Jim Crabtree declared a non pecuniary interest in Item 2.22 of the Consultation Findings: What really matters Stage 2 report – Youth and Play Services and Item 2.28 of the Consultation Findings: What really matters Stage 2 report – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Minute 64 post refers) by virtue of his employment with the Vocational College and being a foster carer.

Councillor Wendy Clements declared a non pecuniary interest in general by virtue of her employment in an early years setting.

Councillor Walter Smith declared a non pecuniary interest in Item 2.12 of the Consultation Findings: What really matters Stage 2 report – Oaklands (Minute 64 post refers) by virtue of being a member of the Oaklands Centre Management Committee.

The report of the Chief Executive in relation to the What Really Matters Stage 2 Consultation, to be considered by the Cabinet on 7 February 2012, is attached.

The Committee is requested to give consideration to the consultation feedback in relation to matters which fall within its remit.

The Committee received a presentation from Jane Morgan, Corporate Policy Manager, Chief Executive’s Department. Details of the consultation process and consultation findings in relation to each budget option were provided. Members welcomed the diversity of the respondents to the consultation and expressed their thanks to everyone who had taken part in the consultation.

The Children and Young People’s O & S Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive in relation to the What Really Matters Stage 2 Consultation that had been considered by the Cabinet on 7 February, 2013.

The Committee was requested to give consideration to the consultation feedback in relation to matters which fell within its remit.

The options were presented in the report, together with the quantitative data gathered through the consultation questionnaire, and a summary of any related comments that had been received through the consultation process.

The Committee considered the relevant options detailed in Appendix 3 of the report – Budget Options Feedback Families and Wellbeing.

COMMISSIONING OF PARENTING SERVICES

The Chair commented that the Committee had received a letter from Wirral Family Forum expressing concerns relating to the delay in commissioning of children with disabilities short breaks funding and the effect this may have on both children using services and also parents/carers who relied on these services.

Officers from the Children and Young People’s Department addressed the meeting and gave members an update on the current situation regarding commissioning.  Officers gave reassurances that a smooth transition would be enabled by various strategies – the delay in commissioning of one month would support good exit strategies so there would be no confusion amongst families and no gap in provision.

TRANSPORT POLICIES

Officers from the Children and Young People’s Department informed the Committee that the proposals affecting children would need to be phased in over time and would follow a full public consultation. Changes would not be effective until at least 2014 - 15 as admission criteria for schools including transport policies have already been published. The proposals would be phased until 2019/20.

AREA TEAMS FOR FAMILY SUPPORT

Julia Hassall, Acting Director of Children’s Services commented that this was linked to the whole review of preventative services. Area Teams would be reduced from 7 to 4 that would operate a ‘gateway’ and family support workers would be grouped behind the 4 Area Teams. Members were reassured that services would not be diluted.

Sue Talbot, Strategic Service Manager - Early Years & Primary Education, Learning & Achievement Branch, commented that there would be no reduction in family support staff and a triage system of support would be put in place that would be more efficient and effective.

Members commented that the public response to this proposal was understandable given that full details and background information was not able to be provided in the consultation document.

SCHOOLS MUSIC SERVICE

Sue Talbot, Strategic Service Manager - Early Years & Primary Education, Learning & Achievement Branch, commented that changes in this area would be very effective and that income would be generated by selling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.