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REFERENCE: O&SB/04/14 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY BOARD Date: TUESDAY 8TH APRIL 2014 Time: 6.00 pm Place: Committee Room 3 – Luton Town Hall Councillors: Hinkley (Chair) O’Callaghan (Vice-Chair) A Khan Franks Garrett (Vice-Chair) Moles Gale Rathore Cato *Statutory B. O’Byrne (Diocesan Representative) Diocesan Representative – Vacant Co-Optees: R. Nazar (Parent Governor Representative) M. Malik (Parent Governor Representative) *Statutory co-optees are entitled to vote on items relating to education functions that are the responsibility of the Executive. Quorum: 3 elected Members Emergency Evacuation Procedure – Room 3 Proceed straight ahead through two sets of double doors, follow the green emergency exit signs to the main town hall entrance and proceed to the assembly point at St. Georges Square. Page 1 of 210 AGENDA Agenda Subject Page Item No. 1 Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes 1. 25th February 2014 2.1/1 – 2.1/5 3. Chair’s Update Chair to report on issues since the last meeting of the Board 4. PECUNIARY AND NON PECUNIARY INTERESTS Members are reminded that they must disclose both the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and any personal interest that they have in any matter to be considered at the meeting unless the interest is a sensitive interest in which event they need not disclose the nature of the interest. A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest must not further participate in any discussion of, vote on, or take any executive steps in relation to the item of business. A member with a personal interest, which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member’s judgment of the public interest, must similarly not participate in any discussion of, vote on, or take any executive steps in relation to the item of business. Disclosable pecuniary interests and Personal Interests are defined in the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members and Co-opted members.” 5. Urgent Business To consider any urgent business and determine when, during the meeting, any items should be discussed. 6. Active Luton – Leisure Service Review Oral Report (Oral update by the Head of Housing and Community Living) 7. Youth Service Consultation – Progress Update/Outcome Withdrawn (Report of the Head of Area Integration Service) 8. Luton Dunstable Busway – Progress Update 8/1 – 8/5 (Report of the Head of Planning and Transportation) 9. 2014 – 2021 Playing Pitch Strategy 9/1 – 9/209 (Report by the Project Manager) 10. OSB Work Programme 2014/15 & Executive Forward Plan 10/1 -10/11 - 7th April 2014 to 28th April 2014 (Report of the Democracy & Scrutiny Team Leader) Page 2 of 210 Contact Officer: Angela Fraser Direct Line: (01582) 546070 AGENDA ITEM 2.1 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY BOARD 25TH FEBRUARY 2014 at 6.00 pm PRESENT: Councillor Hinkley (Chair), Councillors Cato, Gale, Hanif, Moles, O’Callaghan, Rathore and Mr O’Byrne (Diocesan Representative) 8. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (REF: 1) Apologies for absence from the meeting were received on behalf of Councillors Franks, Garrett and A. Khan. 9. MINUTES (REF: 2) The minutes of the meeting held on 15th January 2014, were agreed as a true record and the chair was authorised to sign them. 10. EDUCATION OUTCOMES IN LUTON SCHOOLS 2013 – FOUNDATION STAGE TO KEY STAGE 4 (REF: 6) The Board received a report from the School Improvement Advisors updating them on the current key educational standards indicators for Luton schools for 2013. The Board was also informed of the work being undertaken by the Support, Challenge and Intervention Service in improving leadership and management, achievement, behaviour and teaching in schools. Members were pleased to note that for 2013, there had been an improvement in reading, writing and mathematics at all levels. In particular the increase in Level 5+ in maths from 30% to 36% was a real achievement. In response to a question, officers confirmed that they would be working closely with schools to put into practice the work undertaken to improve the maths figures for other subjects. It was noted that the 1% inadequate figure for current school OFSTED outcomes related to 1 nursery school. Officers advised that 45% of pupils in Luton were entitled to free school meals (FSM). This figure had remained constant over several years despite it continuing to be an issue to get those entitled to Free School Meals to sign up. Members were pleased to hear that the progress in English and Maths in respect of FSM pupils had continued. Officers briefed Members on Neighbourhood Improvement Partnerships (school to school support) and also the work undertaken by School Improvement Advisors (SIA’s) in relation to the four Support Page2.1/ 3 of1 210 Level Categories (A,B,C and D) which identified the core level of support required by schools. Resolved: (i) That the school improvement practices as described in the report of the School Improvement Advisor (Ref: 6) in the event of an OFSTED inspection of the Local Authority’s school support arrangements be noted; (ii) that it also be noted that some Members may be interviewed about this area of the Council’s work as part of any future OFSTED inspection. 11. OFSTED INSPECTION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SERVICE (REF: 7) The Board received a report from the Interim Head of Support, Challenge and Intervention updating them on the current arrangements for the inspection of Local Authority School Improvement Services. Officers outlined the key indicators which would trigger an inspection including: Where the proportion of children who attend a good or better school, pupil referral unit and/or alternative provision is lower than that found nationally. Where there is a higher than average number of schools in an Ofsted formal category of concern and/or there are indicators that progress of such schools is not securing rapid improvement or where there is a higher than average proportion of schools that have not been judged to be good by Ofsted. Where attainment levels across the local authority are lower than that found nationally and/or where the trend of improvement is weak. Where rates of progress, relative to starting points, are lower than that found nationally and/or where the trend of improvement is weak. Where the volume of qualifying complaints to Ofsted about schools in a local authority area is a matter of concern. Members were advised that currently, the self-evaluation framework used by the Authority indicated that the service was effective. If an inspection was triggered, Officers informed the Board that the Inspection Team would wish to meet with a range of key stakeholders including Officers, Members and Headteachers. Resolved: That the report (Ref 7) be noted. Page2.1/ 4 of2 210 12 PERFORMANCE MONITORING FOR FOSTERING AND ADOPTION (REF: 8) The Head of Specialist Family Support Service gave a presentation on the proposed changes to the Fostering and Adoption Service. The main aims were to: Increase the number of children in in-house fostering placements; Reduce the number of children in Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) placements; Increase the number of Adopters Increase the number of children adopted and the timeliness of those adoptions The following questions/comments were made: Could Officers clarify what a A Special Guardianship Order was ‘Special Guardianship where the birth parents still retained Order’was parental responsibility. It was increasingly used for younger children but was nationally still an untested area. Why had 12 cases gone to an There could be a number of reasons Independent Fostering Agency including safety issues where some rather than retained in-house? placements were better to be done outside of Luton. Have we carried out Not formally as yet but this would be consultation around financial done within the next year. incentives? How had the timescales for Previously 72 weeks was the average placements changed? for placements. Following a national push this had now reduced to 34 weeks. This was partly due to a number of efficiency and more effective measures put in place by the Authority but also due to a change in Judges approach to cases. Do we deal with adoptions from No all these cases have to be abroad? referred to a national agency. Does the Council have any The Council viewed this as important rules for potential adopters in but would not be a ‘deal breaker’ in relation to culture/religion? any case. The Government Regulations state that consideration of these matters should not substantially delay any placement. Resolved: That the presentation (Ref 8) be noted. Page2.1/ 5 of3 210 13 CONSULTATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT: DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY STATEMENT FOR NATIONAL NETWORKS (REF: 9) The Head of Planning and Transportation submitted a report relating to the Department for Transport Consultation on the Draft National Policy Statement (NPS) for National Networks (NN). The Planning Officer explained that there was a need for the NN NPS due to the Networks being under considerable pressure and also to promote regional economic growth and regeneration, particularly in disadvantaged areas. The report set out a list of questions set by the Department for Transport as part of the consultation together with the Council’s proposed response. The Board expressed general support for the proposed response particularly in relation to improving access for people with disabilities to public transport. Resolved: That the responses to the questions set out in the consultation at Appendix A to the report of the Head of Planning and Transportation (Ref: 9) be supported. 14 QUARTER 3 2013/14 PERFORMANCE REPORT (REF: 10) The Corporate Improvement and Development Manager presented the report (Ref: 10) on the quarter 3 figures in the 2013/14 Performance Report.

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