Agenda and decisions

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.

To approve the minutes of the previous meetings as follows:

a. 28 November 2024

b. 23 January 2025

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

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 28 February. Public Questions should be submitted via our webform: www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

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 4 March. Public Questions and Statements should be submitted via our webform: www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

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 4 March. 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 or ask your question.

This report provides an update on the progress of the Corporate Parenting Strategy since its sign-off in July 2024.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note the progress in delivering the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024-29.

2. (Unanimous vote in favour) That the Committee will continue to promote and profile the corporate parenting agenda across the Council and with its key partners to give the strategy the best chance at success.

This report provides information on the delivery and performance of children’s services in line with the statutory expectations of the Director of Children’s Services. The report identifies key challenges and risks for consideration, areas of progress, and upcoming activity. 

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the report.

This report provides an update on performance against the Council’s Business Plan as relevant to the remit of this Committee, for Quarter 3 2024/25.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note performance against the Business Plan relevant to this Committee, including the issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

The annual report of the Bristol City Youth Council is enclosed for the Committee’s information.  Representatives of the Youth Council will present the report.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the report.

This report:

1. Provides up-to-date information about young people aged 14-21 in Bristol, including those who are at risk or have disengaged from education, employment and training.

2. Provides an overview of local authority youth focused statutory duties, strategies, plans, services, resources, and systems.

3. Considers the results of a collaborative analysis of current youth focused services, together with some identified areas to improve outcomes.

4. Seeks approval to hold detailed bid negotiations to secure grant funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority for 14-21 age group services to secure improved outcomes.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note the content of this report and information pack, including the identified areas to improve services for support for vulnerable young people so Bristol teenagers and young people can thrive.

2. (Unanimous vote in favour) To authorise the Director of Education, Inclusion and Skills (working with the Head of Service - Employment, Skills and Lifelong Learning) in consultation with the Chair of the Children and Young People Committee to take all steps required to negotiate with WECA and to accept and spend employment support grant funding of up to £1,923,032 to deliver Risk of NEET, NEET Reduction and Youth Guarantee programmes as outlined in the report.

To provide an update on progress on managing the deficit within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block as set out in the council’s DSG Financial Management Plan.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the current position of the Dedicated Schools Grant Financial Management Plan and projected financial forecast as at January 2025.