Issue - meetings

The Chair welcomed County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, to the meeting.

The report presented informed committee members that in March 2020, the Education Scrutiny Committee published a task and finish group report on 'Schools Causing Concern'.

In accordance with agreed protocols, the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools had been asked to provide a response to the recommendations included as part of the task and finish group's report.

The Cabinet Member thanked the members of the task and finish group for all their effort and work in putting the report together. The Cabinet Member supported and commented on all of the recommendations of the task and finish group.

Comments and questions raised by the committee were as follows:

·  Lancashire County Council was committed to supporting head teachers whatever the status of their school and use their wealth of experience and knowledge. Positive relationships had to be maintained.

·  There must be a proactive approach to supporting schools focusing on prevention of problems and performance improvement.

·  The Local Authority must increase its support for Lancashire's school governors. They were crucial to the success of their schools and the performance of their head teachers. Ongoing training for governors was essential.

·  Members enquired about the finances for schools during the Covid crisis. Funding for schools was very tight in some areas of the county. The county council was trying to obtain as much funding as it could to support additional expenditure schools might have. It was also lobbying Central Government to obtain as much funding as possible for its schools. Schools could claim back for Covid related expenditure.

Resolved: That;

  i.  The response be received.

  ii.  A progress update on recommendations be provided to the committee in six months.