Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive on progress against service plan objectives and performance targets, performance trends / comparisons and factors affecting the services for:

 

·        Specialist Services;

·        Universal and Learning Services;

·        Preventative Services; and

·        Business Planning and Resources.

 

The Chairman reported that a Special Meeting of the Board had been arranged on 26^th November 2008, at 6.30 pm in the Civic Suite, Runcorn Town Hall.  He also gave an update on the Working Groups as follows:-

 

·        Oral Health Working Group – Ongoing

 

·        Access To Services for the Homeless – a new Lead Officer is to be identified; and

 

·        The Youth Justice Board  - a meeting would be arranged in the near future.

 

Universal & Learning Services

 

·        The key areas of developments were noted;

 

·        ULS3 – To improve Educational Outcomes for all Children at Primary Level – clarity was sought on the amber light.  In response it was reported that in this area of work there would always be areas that could be improved resulting in the amber light.  This enabled the Authority to stay alert and ensure that firm controls were in place and action taken when and if required;

 

·        ULS6 – To reduce health inequalities by promoting healthy lifestyles in schools – clarity was sought on what was being done to increase the percentage of young people between the ages of 4 – 18  participating in at least two hours of high quality PE school sport.  In response it was reported that work was continually being undertaken with schools to improve this indicator.  However, it was also highlighted that it was a difficult indicator to monitor and it was probable that the percentage was higher than the recorded 86%;

 

·        It was noted that the Building Schools for the Future Programme would map out the provision of PE, Sports, Arts and Culture and how to extend their use and increase facilities.  It was also noted that the National Health School Status included participation in exercise;

 

·        The revised funding for SEN Units implemented in April 2008 was noted;

 

·        Leadership and Management Hub – The issues and actions being taken to address the potential shortfall in the number of headteachers available to replace headteachers leaving their posts because of retirement etc in the next few years was noted;

 

·        It was noted that there had been a 7% rise in KS3 results this year .  It was also noted that the press had reported that there would not be SATS or report cards in the future.  However, the Authority would put appropriate mechanisms in place to check and monitor progress at KS3;

 

·        In respect of the issue of boys underachieving, it was noted that an analysis of this group would be undertaken and solutions formulated; and

 

·        Standard School Year – It was noted that consultation was being undertaken by a number of Greater Merseyside Authorities on whether to move to a Standard School Year, splitting the school year into six terms of roughly equal lengths and fixing this pattern regardless of the Easter Celebration. It was also noted that with the exception of Liverpool, the Authorities were consulting at the same time with the same consultation principles.

 

Preventative Services

 

·        It was noted that work was being undertaken to progress the co-ordination and delivery of services to children, young people and families on a locality basis across the Borough.  It was also noted that Working within the Children’s Trust arrangements, a Project Plan was being compiled which would over time see the join up of services across the 0-19 age range across a locality footprint.  It was suggested the project plan be presented to a future meeting of the Board in order to obtain Members views;

 

·        My Place Bid – It was  noted that the Authority had submitted a radical and innovative bid to secure an investment of £2.5m to redesign and refurbish the Kingsway Health Building into a Youth Hub to be called ‘The Buzz’;

 

·        PRU’s / Alternative Provision - It was noted that DCSF had published a white paper ‘Back on Track’ in response to the perception of the poor quality of alternative provision nationally;

 

·        Child Poverty – Innovation Pilots – It was noted that the bid had been unsuccessful and this was being discussed with Government  Office, North West as it was felt to have been a strong bid;

 

·        The challenges relating to Sexual Health Services were noted. It was also noted that the National Support Team for teenage pregnancy had visited Halton on the 22^nd September 2008 to review Halton’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy.  It was suggested that the Board receive the feedback from the visit and this be combined with the review being undertaken on sexual health services in conjunction with the PCT;

 

·        The increase in the number of young people contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases from unprotected sex was noted.  The actions being taken to address this issue were also noted;

 

·        The importance of the emphasis being on relationships and self esteem rather than sex and the targeted work being undertaken to achieve this was noted; and

 

·        The Integrated Youth Agenda which integrated and maximised support mechanisms for teenage services was noted.

 

Specialist Services

 

·        The key developments in respect of the Safeguarding Unit were noted:

 

·        It was noted that an update on the issues in respect of Halton’s Safeguarding Board would be included in Quarter 3’s performance monitoring report;

 

·        It was noted that there had been a significant increase in demand for specialist services along with an increase in costs for placements for Children in Care, which was subject to a detailed review.  It was also noted that the increase in demand over the last 18 months had been in two key areas, children in need cases and the cost of placements for children in care, particularly the out of borough placements;

 

·        It was noted that a Placement Strategy was currently being developed and this would look at ways of improving the local supply of foster care.  It was suggested that a detailed report on the Placement Strategy and the cost of Out of Borough Placements be presented to a future meeting of the Board;

 

·        The improvements in respect of SS L12 – the percentage of Care Leavers living in temporary accommodation was noted;

 

·        SS L13 – the percentage of Social Care referrals with neglect as the primary factor – the reasons for the Authority being unlikely to hit the yearly target was noted;

 

·        NI 63 – Stability of placements of looked after children: length of placement – it was noted that this was a critical indicator and had significantly improved and was higher than the national target;

 

·        The mechanisms for tracking young people in the Council’s care when they move to another area was noted;

 

·        It was agreed that the Board would receive a regular report on the number of jobs being created by the Council and its key partners, for Children in Care;

 

·        It was noted that in the north west 21 authorities had formed and approved a collective residential provider list which allowed a comparison of standards between the private residential providers.  This list was also published; and

 

·        It was suggested that the Board receive a report on the Placement Strategy and the quality of Section 33 reports and training requirements.

 

Business Support and Commissioning

 

·        It was noted that the Alliance Board meeting on the 3^rd September 2008 considered proposals for a new structure to replace existing arrangements and establish a Children’s Trust;

 

·        It was noted that the BSF Strategy Part 1 outlining the vision for BSF in Halton had now been approved.  It was also noted that The Strategy for Change Part 2 had to be completed by 19^th November 2008.  This detailed document was available to view on the Council’s website;

 

·        BSC 2 – To deploy resources effectively and efficiently – Implement medium term Financial Plan Sept 2008 – it was noted that to date this had not been developed;

 

·        BSC 5 – To recruit and retain a fully staffed trained and motivated workforce – it was noted that there were some outstanding issues relating to Job Evaluation that was currently being addressed. It was also noted that recruitment was proving to be more difficult as some posts had been evaluated below the market rate;

 

·        It was noted that CRB checks were only required when there would be direct access to young people;

 

·        BPR L121 – The number of service areas subject to strategic needs analysis – The complexity of the Strategic Needs Analysis which had lead to capacity issues was noted;

 

·        Concern was raised that a considerable number of capital projects had not commenced.  It was noted that a report outlining all capital projects would be considered by the Executive Board in December and a carry over would be possible; and

 

·        It was suggested that future performance reports include a reference to financial issues including staff shortages and recruitment issues.

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)               the quarterly performance management reports be received;

 

(2)               the Board consider and respond to the consultation on the Standard School Year before its presentation to the Executive Board;

 

(3)               the Board consider a report on sexual health and related services that would also include feedback from the National Support Team;

 

(4)               a report on the number of jobs created within the Council and  key partners, for Children in Care in the Borough be presented to the Board on a regular basis;

 

(5)               the Project Plan within the Children’s Trust arrangements be considered at a future meeting of the Board; and

 

(6)               a detailed report on the Placement Strategy and the cost of Out of Borough placements be presented to a future meeting of the Board.