Agenda and minutes

County Councillors J Jackson and K Ellard replaced County Councillors A D Kay and Y Motala respectively as members of the Committee for this meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor S Derwent and Mrs J Hamid, Coopted member representing Parent Governors (Secondary)

Members are asked to consider any Personal/Prejudicial Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest in relation to matters appearing on the agenda.

County Councillor Riches referred to the discussion on Academies and stated that it was important the Committee received information regarding the insurance liabilities of the Governors of Academies across a range of issues, including corporate manslaughter. In response Mr Stott, the Director for Universal and Prevention Services assured the Committee that the implications in terms of insurance liability would be included in future reports and was already being addressed in briefings for Governors of schools which were considering becoming Academies.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 2^nd November 2010 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

In response to a request from the Chair there was general agreement amongst the members of the Committee that County Councillor Susie Charles, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools, be allowed to attend the meeting and speak in accordance with the Code of Conduct. The Cabinet Member was accompanied by Mr Stott, the Director for Universal and Prevention Services and Mr Hart, the Director of Capital Investment and  Resources from the Directorate for Children and Young People. 

A report was presented regarding information considered by the Cabinet on the 6^th January 2011 including the County Council's Financial Position as at 30^th November 2010 and Revenue Budget 2011/12 and 2013/14 recommendations. Details of  the Cabinet resolutions insofar as they related to education were also presented.

The Chair referred the members of the Committee to the separate summary of the budget proposals relating to education which had been circulated previously for ease of reference. Having familiarised themselves with the proposals as set out in the summary the members of the Committee then discussed each proposal in turn and the following points were raised.

Efficiency Saving – Special Educational Needs (SEN) Transport.

In response to queries from members of the Committee Mr Stott confirmed that there was no specific budget for SEN transport, the costs of which were funded from a single budget stream. Mr Hart added that the efficiency saving was in the first instance around improved procurement, routing and possible shared use of transport.

The Cabinet Member informed the meeting that a government green paper was expected in relation to reform of the SEN legal framework which would have implications for service provision. It was noted that the continuing personalisation of services, increased choice and more cost effective use of transport would contribute to savings.

Service Policy Proposals

Specialist Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Transport

It was reported that the County Council provided training for passenger assistants who would travel between home and school with younger children or those with severe disabilities. However, in some cases the passenger assistants were also staff from the school and similar training was provided by the school. In order to achieve further efficiency savings it was suggested that a joint training programme be developed for all passenger assistants.

In order to develop their independence it was suggested that capacity be developed so that where appropriate young people with SEN could be encouraged to make greater use of public transport. However it was recognised that such a move would need to be balanced against risks both to the individual, parents and others and may result in a need for additional passenger assistants. Mr Stott reported that whilst there were significant efficiencies which could be achieved the safeguarding of individuals was paramount. The Cabinet Member informed the meeting that issues such as the potential risks associated with SEN transport were discussed with the Parent Carer Forum which provided valuable feedback. 

It was noted that when County Council vehicles were not being used for SEN  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading

There were no items of urgent business presented for consideration at the meeting.

The next scheduled meeting of the Committee is due to be held at 10.00am on the 15^th March 2011 in Cabinet Room 'C' at County Hall, Preston.

Resolved: It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Education Scrutiny Committee would be held at 10am on the 15^th March 2011 in Cabinet Room 'C' at County Hall, Preston.