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

Councillor Paul Doughty declared a non pecuniary interest by virtue of being an owner/partner of a children’s day care centre.

Councillor Jim Crabtree declared a non pecuniary interest by virtue of being a foster carer, his employment with the Vocational College and as Board Director Beechwood Trust.

Councillor Wendy Clements declared a non pecuniary interest by virtue of her employment.

The following documents are attached for Members’ consideration:

• ‘What Really Matters’ Questionnaire
• Summary paper for Families and Wellbeing
• Options papers relevant to this Committee:

o  Transport Policies for Adults and Children

o  Area Teams for Family Support

o  Schools Music Service

o  Oaklands Centre

o  Educational Psychology Service

o  Foundation Learning

o  Universal and Targeted Commissioning - Parenting

o  PPM and PFI Options

o  School Improvement and Income from Academy Schools

o  Youth and Play Services

o  Youth Challenge

o  Children’s Centres and Sure Start

o  Careers, Education Information, Advice and Guidance

o  Short Breaks for Children with Disabilities

o  Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

The Committee received a presentation from Jane Morgan, Corporate Policy Manager, Chief Executive’s Department, on the process of the consultation and the progress made on Stage 2 of the consultation to date. Jane Morgan reported that over 70 budget options had now been published and outlined the role of Overview and Scrutiny members.

The Chair proposed that the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee work through the budget options and for each option the relevant officer would outline the proposed budget option.

Officers gave details and responded to members questions on each of the budget options in respect of the following areas in turn;

1.  Transport Policies for Adults and Children

Nancy Clarkson, Strategic Services Infrastructure, introduced the option. Responding to comments from members she stated that the Council currently provides transport for well over a thousand people across the borough every day. The option involved a full review of that transport, with a view to stopping providing transport to some or all Council services and instead requiring those using the services to either contribute to the cost or find alternatives. Some members expressed concern about the levels of transport that would be available for severely disabled children and adults and Nancy Clarkson noted that there was statutory provision for the most vulnerable children and for adults there were packages of care that would still be retained for the most vulnerable adults.

2.  Area Teams for Family Support

Tracey Coffey, Strategic Service Manager Children and Families introduced the option and informed the Committee that Area Teams provided preventative services for vulnerable children and families. Due to the number of teams there was some duplication and the option in this area was to reduce the number of Area Teams from 11 to 4, working across the borough based on need. Members were informed that this was a good way forward and that while savings could be realised the outcome would be a better service provision.

3. Schools Music Service

Sue Talbot, Strategic Service Manager, Early Years and Primary Education introduced the option and commented that the Schools Music Service had been restructured and would not now need the subsidy from the Council.

4. Oaklands Outdoor Education Centre

Vivian Stafford, Strategic Service Manager- Post 16 Commissioning and Economic Generation introduced the option that was to reduce the Council subsidy and ensure that the Centre brought in enough income to break even. The aim was for this done through increased marketing and by seeking sponsorship. Vivian Stafford commented that there were risks to this business model but there were grounds to feel confident - alternative options were outlined if there was a view to mitigate risks

5. Educational Psychology Service

Julia Hassall, Acting Director of Children’s Services, introduced the option and commented that savings would be achieved by not filling a vacant post. The service would be reduced but would continue to meet statutory requirements.

6. Foundation Learning

Vivian Stafford, Strategic Service Manager- Post 16 Commissioning and Economic Generation introduced the option that was to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.