Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel 26 June 2019

Minutes:

There were apologies for absence from Councillor Kelly Braund, Councillor Agatha Mary Akyigyina and the co-opted representatives Colin Powell, Helen Forbes and Emma Lemon.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record

Additional documents:

• Appendix 1 – HWS HWBB 25 June cover report , item 4. PDF 248 KB
• Appendix 2 – HWS HWBB 25 June Final Draft , item 4. PDF 2 MB
• Appendix 3 – HWS Supplementary Information Pack , item 4. PDF 181 KB

Minutes:

The Director of Public Health introduced and summarised the updated Health & Wellbeing Strategy for 2019-2024.

• We recognise that context changes over time and the outcomes that matter to people will change over the five years.
• Rolling programme of priority actions for each year that can adapt.
• The strategy will be presented to the Health & Wellbeing Board in October 2019.

The Chair thanked the Director of Public Health and asked the Panel if they had any questions.

In response to Panel Members questions, the Director of Public Health clarified;

• Recognised that the timing of Scrutiny and Health and Wellbeing Board approval is sub optimal, but it is a live document and suggestions are welcomed.
• With regards to a request for more information on how themes will be addressed/how the actions and outcomes will be measured, it was stated that once a year the accountability plan will provide feedback on this.
• The old data set that was used has been amended where possible.
• In Merton about 70 deaths per year are attributable to the damaging impact of air pollution. This figure was calculated using the Public Health Outcomes framework and using an attribution methodology.
• Estimation model used for the obesity in Primary School age statistics. Children’s weights are recorded in Reception and Year 6.
• Merton has the 5^th highest rate of self-harm. There are steep increases in self-harm A&E data. Self-harm figures have rocketed and its correlation to suicides used to be tight, but now we are seeing a decoupling. There is a local suicide prevention strategy, trail blazer programme, counselling services and peer support for parents via CCG. Emotional and mental resilience in schools must be strengthened.
• Differentiation between type 1 and type 2 diabetes will be included in the annual report.

ACTIONS – The Director of Public Health agreed to;

• Request details on the Sickle Cell services commissioned by the CCG.

UPDATE: The Director of Public Health has contacted the CCG for information.

• Find out how many participants participated in the active travel survey –

UPDATE: The survey was undertaken by Age UK Merton and there were just under 300 responses.

• Circulate the final version of the strategy before Cabinet on 15 July 2019.

UPDATE: Circulated via email on 04.07.19

Minutes:

The Director for Children, Schools and Families had supplied a written update and explained the report describes the entire business of the Children, Schools and Families department in ten main themes. Elements have been grouped together where possible and the departmental update at every meeting will also capture specific topics.

The Cabinet Member for Schools and Adult Education gave a verbal update on her priorities for the year ahead;

1. SEND funding – Lobbying for better funding
2. School places – Paying for private sector SEN places
3. School improvements / Bridging the gap

In response to a Member question, The Director of Children, Schools and Families explained that the School Standards report includes schools that cause concern and require improvement, but there is scope to add this information to the Department Update report when requested.

The Head of Performance, Policy and Partnerships provided an overview of the Mosaic system and offered a demonstration to any interested Panel Members.

ACTION: Members should register their interest with the Chair.

• View the background to item 6.

To  follow

Minutes:

The Director for Children, Schools and Families summarised the key paragraphs.

The Panel were asked to note that the update had been redesigned for this year and includes subjects that the Panel were keen to hear about.

ACTION:

The Director for Children, Schools and Families will provide feedback on how many schools are included in Safer Merton’s planned Head Teacher meetings to discuss the best approaches to crime preventions, though it is anticipated that the invitation would have been extended to all schools.

The Chair thanked the Director of Children, Schools and Families for the update and approved the redesigned format for future meetings.

• View the background to item 7.

Minutes:

The Vice Chair will continue as Performance Monitoring Lead and asked if any Panel members would like to be included in the performance monitoring pre-meets with the Head of Performance, Policy and Partnerships. Councillor Russell Makin requested to join.

ACTION: Scrutiny Officer to send calendar invites to Cllr Makin.

Minutes:

The Work Programme for 2019/20 was agreed.

The Panel agreed a task group review of the use of Educational Technology in the classroom.

Broadly, the task group will explore the benefits and disadvantages of Educational Technology tools, including personalised learning, and how this technology is currently being utilised in Merton’s Schools.

The Panel has appointed Councillors James Holmes, Russell Makin, Joan Henry, Marsie Skeete and Ed Foley (work schedule permitting). Additional members are welcome and details of this will be emailed to all Members.