Decision details

It was moved by County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson that:

This Council notes that the recent Ofsted inspection of SEND services in Lancashire highlighted 'widespread failings' which led to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young people with SEND'.

Council notes the conspicuous lack of political leadership on the issue since the report has been made public.

Council calls upon the Cabinet Member responsible to make a full statement to the Full Council on the circumstances that have led to such a damning report and to lay out the plans to rectify the identified failings.

Council calls for the establishment of a cross party monitoring group to ensure any plans are open to the strongest possible scrutiny. Any such group must include representatives of the Children and Families affected.

The following friendly Amendment was proposed by County Councillor John Fillis in accordance with Standing Order B43:

To add:

Due to the lack of political leadership and lack of recognition of the ever increasing numbers of children being failed, council demands that the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills should resign. If they refuse to do so, they should be removed by the Leader of the County Council.

The friendly Amendment was accepted by County Councillor Tomlinson and became the substantive Motion as follows:

This Council notes that the recent Ofsted inspection of SEND services in Lancashire highlighted 'widespread failings' which led to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young people with SEND'.

Council notes the conspicuous lack of political leadership on the issue since the report has been made public.

Council calls upon the Cabinet Member responsible to make a full statement to the Full Council on the circumstances that have led to such a damning report and to lay out the plans to rectify the identified failings.

Council calls for the establishment of a cross party monitoring group to ensure any plans are open to the strongest possible scrutiny. Any such group must include representatives of the Children and Families affected.

Due to the lack of political leadership and lack of recognition of the ever increasing numbers of children being failed, council demands that the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills should resign. If they refuse to do so, they should be removed by the Leader of the County Council.

The following Amendment was proposed by County Councillor Jayne Rear and seconded by County Councillor Michael Green:

Council notes that the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Lancashire County Council, as part of the Lancashire SEND Partnership, are jointly responsible for the planning and commissioning of services for children and young people with SEND in Lancashire. 

Council notes that the Ofsted report notes that there were 'widespread failings' leading to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young People with SEND', which the local area partnership must address urgently.

Council notes the Cabinet report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills published yesterday providing a comprehensive update on the Priority Action Plan.

Council supports the Cabinet recommendation to agree that the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee be asked to oversee the progress against milestones in the Priority Action Plan in addition to quarterly performance updates to Cabinet and that the Council continues to engage with representatives of the Children and Families affected.

Council supports the Cabinet report recommendation to agree that the Council writes to government to offer support from Lancashire County Council to inform national legislative change and ensure that local needs and perspectives are represented.

Following a brief adjournment and a period of debate, the Amendment was put to the vote and in accordance with Standing Order B46(6), a recorded vote was taken. The names of the county councillors who voted for or against the Amendment and those who abstained are set out below:

For (40)

Against (24)

Abstain (0)

The Amendment was therefore CARRIED and became the substantive Motion.

There being no further Amendments, the substantive Motion was put to the vote and was CARRIED. It was therefore:

Resolved: - That:

Council notes that the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Lancashire County Council, as part of the Lancashire SEND Partnership, are jointly responsible for the planning and commissioning of services for children and young people with SEND in Lancashire. 

Council notes that the Ofsted report notes that there were 'widespread failings' leading to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young People with SEND', which the local area partnership must address urgently.

Council notes the Cabinet report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills published yesterday providing a comprehensive update on the Priority Action Plan.

Council supports the Cabinet recommendation to agree that the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee be asked to oversee the progress against milestones in the Priority Action Plan in addition to quarterly performance updates to Cabinet and that the Council continues to engage with representatives of the Children and Families affected.

Council supports the Cabinet report recommendation to agree that the Council writes to government to offer support from Lancashire County Council to inform national legislative change and ensure that local needs and perspectives are represented.