Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting and explained the emergency evacuation procedure.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Kerry Bailes.

To note any declarations of interest from councillors. They are asked to

indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular

whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declaration of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of

interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair commented that this was the first meeting of the Children and Young People Policy Committee under the new committee governance system and they hoped this would be an active committee going forwards.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Any member of the public or councillor may participate in Public Forum. Public Forum items must relate to the remit of the committee and should be addressed to the Chair of the committee.

Members of the public who plan to attend a public meeting at City Hall are advised that you will be required to sign in when you arrive. Please note that you will be issued with a visitor pass which you will need to display at all times.

Please also note:

Questions

1.     Written public questions must be received by 5.00 pm, at least 3 clear working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that questions must be received at the latest by 5.00 pm on Friday 21^st June . Please email questions to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.     Any individual can submit up to 3 written questions.

3.     Written replies to questions will be available on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

4.     At the meeting, questioners will be permitted to ask up to 2 oral supplementary questions.

Statements

1.     Written statements must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that statements must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 25^th June. Please email statements to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.     Statements, provided they are no more than 1,000 words in length, will be circulated to all committee members and will be published on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

Petitions

1.     Details of the wording of any petitions, and the number of signatories to petitions must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that petition details must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 25^th June. Please email petition details to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.     At the meeting, individuals presenting petitions may be required to read out the objectives of the petition.

When submitting a question or statement please indicate whether you are planning to attend the meeting to present your statement ask your question.

The Committee noted that the following two public forum statements had been received for this meeting which related to Agenda Item 9 – Recommissioning Short Breaks for Disabled Children:                          

1. Debbie Teml, on behalf of FACE (Foundation for Active Community Engagement)

2.   Matt Justice, WECIL (West of England Centre for Independent Living)

Matt Justice attended to present his statement. 

Both of the above statements were published on the meeting webpage here: Public Forum

The Committee noted the statements, noting also that their content would be taken into account as part of their consideration of the relevant agenda item.

To note the annual business report.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1.  To note the membership of the Children and Young People Policy Committee for 2024/2025.

2.  To note the appointment of Councillor Christine Townsend as the Chair of the Children and Young

People Policy Committee for 2024/2025.

3.  To note the appointment of Councillor Katja Hornchen as the Vice-Chair of the Children and Young

People Policy Committee for 2024/2025.

4.  To note the terms of reference of the Children and Young People Policy Committee.

5.  To note the Children and Young People Policy Committee’s meeting dates for 2024/2025

The Committee considered the recommendations as set out in the Annual Business Report for 2024/2025.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1.  To note the membership of the Children and Young People Policy Committee for 2024/2025.

2.  To note the appointment of Councillor Christine Townsend as the Chair of the Children and Young

People Policy Committee for 2024/2025.

3.  To note the appointment of Councillor Katja Hornchen as the Vice-Chair of the Children and Young

People Policy Committee for 2024/2025.

4.  To note the terms of reference of the Children and Young People Policy Committee.

5.  To note the Children and Young People Policy Committee’s meeting dates for 2024/2025

To note the priorities and actions as set out in the refreshed Bristol Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024 – 29 and associated Pledge for Children in Care and Care Leavers (referred to in this report here on in as care-experienced children) and refer to Full Council on the 7th of July 2024 for approval. 

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the following and refer to Full Council for approval:

1. Bristol Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024 – 29

2. Bristol’s Pledge to all Children in Care and Care Leavers

The Committee considered the priorities and actions as set out in the refreshed Bristol Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024 – 29 and the associated Pledge for Children in Care and Care Leavers (referred to in the report as care-experienced children) and agreed to refer it to Full Council on 9 July 2024 for approval.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

This was a refreshed City-wide strategy that had been co-produced by a range of internal Council services and external agencies and organisations. It was a Council-led strategy with firm commitments, key priorities and an action plan that underpinned these. 

Members provided some positive feedback on the strategy. 

It was asked where the updates on targets would be provided. The Chair highlighted the role of the Corporate Parenting Panel, which she also chaired.  Although the Corporate Parenting Panel was  a private board and therefore did not meet in public, it did interact with both voluntary and statutory services and had an ongoing monitoring responsibility.

Officers advised that the annual Corporate Parenting update to Full Council could be brought to this Committee as well.  The Chair suggested that next year, the update should come to this Committee first, in time to receive comments before went to Full Council. It was agreed by all that this would be appropriate.

A Member asked if the Strategy was asking other parts of the Council to behave in different ways than before.  Officers confirmed that this was the case; the ask was that children in care were considered as part of new policies as they are developed.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the following and refer them to Full Council for approval:

1. Bristol Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024 – 29

2. Bristol’s Pledge to all Children in Care and Care Leavers

To seek approval to join and purchase from the new South Gloucestershire Council led framework for Supported Accommodation, for children in care and care leavers aged 16+.

The Committee RESOLVED (7 members voting in favour and none against):

1.     To authorise the Executive Director Children and Education in consultation with Chair of the Children & Young People Committee to take all steps required to join, award and purchase from the South Gloucestershire 16+ Supported Accommodation framework in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report.

2.     To authorise the Executive Director Children and Education to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the framework contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

The Committee considered a report that sought approval to join and purchase from the new South Gloucestershire Council led framework for Supported Accommodation, for children in care and care leavers aged 16+.

The Chair stated that this was a key decision because it involved spend of more than £500k and had a significant impact on 2 or more wards in the City.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

Officers confirmed that safeguards were in place, and that the market was now regulated by Ofsted.  Only Ofsted approved providers are to be included in the Framework. All homes are now inspected on a regular basis and there are national quality standards that they must adhere to.  Quality Assurances have also been put in place in terms of monitoring and recruitment of staff.

Officers confirmed that North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, BANES and Wiltshire were also partners within the Framework.  

In response to a question about whether there would be competition for placements, it was said that the Framework included both shared and self-contained accommodation and that it was now possible to ‘block book’ rather than arrange individual placements.  This meant that the Council could now purchase the use of an entire home which brought improved economies of scale.  The new Framework was intended to improve partnership working across local authorities rather than encourage competition. 

In response to Member questions about ensuring young people receive the support they need and accommodation being of a high standard, officers said thatthe service specifications clearly state the expected standards, such as homely homes and that inspections would take place.  The Framework would enable provision of a range of supported accommodation, offering different support levels and different accommodation types so that young people were more likely to be able access accommodation and support which met their needs, with tailored support plans.

After a discussion it was agreed that officers would provide an update monitoring report in a year’s time to the Children and Young People Policy Committee.

The Chair then moved the recommendation as set out in the report. Councillor Katja Hornchen seconded this motion.

The Committee RESOLVED: to agree the recommendations as set out in the report:

That the Children & Young People Committee:

1. Authorises the Executive Director for Children and Education in consultation with Chair of the Children & Young People Committee to take all steps required to join, award and purchase from the South Gloucestershire 16+ Supported Accommodation framework in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report.

2. Authorises the Executive Director for Children and Education to invoke any subsequent

extensions/variations specifically defined in the framework contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

During the discussion Councillor Shona Jemphrey temporarily stepped out of the Chamber and wasn’t present for the vote.

The votes were as follows (7 Members in attendance): 

• For - 7
• Against – 0
• Abstentions - 0

To agree the Short Breaks for Disabled Children Budget for 2025 onwards.

To seek approval to recommission the Targeted Short Breaks for Disabled Children contracts.

To approve the revised eligibility criteria for Bristol Autism Project.

The Committee RESOLVED (6 members voting in favour and 2 against) to:

1. Agree to reduce the Short Breaks for Disabled Children’s Service by £273,340 in line with options in the consultation report.

2. Authorise the Executive Director Children and Education in consultation with Chair of the Children and Education Committee to procure and award the Targeted Short Breaks contracts in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report.

3. Authorise the Executive Director Children and Education to invoke any subsequent

extensions/variations specifically defined in the contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

4. Agree changed eligibility to Bristol Autism Project so it is accessible by families living within Bristol City Council Boundaries only.

The Committee considered a  report that sought:

1. To agree the Short Breaks for Disabled Children Budget for 2025 onwards.

2. Approval to recommission the Targeted Short Breaks for Disabled Children contracts.

3. To approve the revised eligibility criteria for Bristol Autism Project.

The Chair stated that this was a key decision as it involved spend of more than £500k and had a significant impact on 2 or more wards in the city.

Councillor Shona Jemphrey rejoined the meeting during the discussion.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

Members asked for clarification on a number of different areas.

It was asked why this particular service was being reduced.  Officers clarified that several services had needed to make reductions.  The Executive Director: Children & Education said this reduction was very regrettable and that they would ty to minimise the impacts where possible. But the reality was that there were no other options and this would be evident when they considered the finances shortly.

Several Members highlighted how valuable this service was to families and requested this was recorded in the minutes and that this was a difficult decision for them to make. 

Members asked a number of questions about the subsequent impacts of not making the recommended decision.  Officers explained that if the reduction in the budget and subsequent service were not approved at this meeting, the Executive Director would need to consider alternative savings from elsewhere in Children’s Services.

The Chair then moved the recommendations set out in the report. Councillor Hayward seconded this

motion.

 The meeting was then adjourned for 10 minutes at 6.20pm. 

The meeting was reconvened at 6.30pm.  Prior to voting on the report recommendations, The Chair confirmed that the Committee were requesting that an update report that monitored and assessed the impacts of this decision be brought back to them in due course. Officers confirmed that a monitoring report would accordingly be brought back to the committee.

The Committee RESOLVED to:

1. Agree to reduce the Short Breaks for Disabled Children’s Service by £273,340 in line with options in the consultation report.

2. Authorise the Executive Director Children and Education in consultation with Chair of the Children and Education Committee to procure and award the Targeted Short Breaks contracts in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report.

3. Authorise the Executive Director Children and Education to invoke any subsequent

extensions/variations specifically defined in the contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.  

4. Agree changed eligibility to Bristol Autism Project so it is accessible by families living within Bristol City Council Boundaries only.

The votes were as follows:

• For - 6

• Against - 2

• Abstentions - 0

The Chair stated that when the next financial budget was being set, the impacts of this decision would be clearer and she intended  to strongly pursue the future reinstatement of this funding. 

The Council Revenue and Capital budget for 2023/24 was agreed by Full Council on 21 February 2023. This report presents to the Children and Young People Committee, the Children and Education Directorate’s financial performance for the 2023/24 financial year against that approved budget. The report is for noting.

The Committee RESOLVED:

-        To note the contents of report, on the provisional outturn position for Children and Education Directorate budgets.

The Committee considered a report that presented the Children and Education Directorate’s

financial performance for the 2023/24 financial year against that approved budget.

The Executive Director for Children and Education  confirmed this was an end-of-year financial outturn report and was for noting.  It was confirmed that a similar financial update report would be presented to Members at each Committee meeting.

The Director outlined the salient points, including the main financial pressures as per the report. 

The Chair then asked Members if they had comments and / or questions.

The post-adoption fund underspend was queried and it was confirmed this was due to the lower number of adoptions having taken taking place last year. 

It was clarified that there was a specific fund for special guardians to access funding from. 

It was discussed and agreed that the Committee Members would benefit from a briefing session on the details of the financial reporting.  Officers agreed to arrange this.

That the Committee Resolved to note as recommended:

1. The contents of report, on the provisional outturn position for Children and Education Directorate budgets