This is a default template, your custom branding appears to be missing.
The custom branding should be at https://www.kent.gov.uk/_designs/moderngov/template if you cannot load this page please contact your IT.

Technical Error: Error: The request was aborted: Could not create SSL/TLS secure channel.

  • Agenda and minutes
  • Agenda and minutes

    Venue: Darent Room, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone. View directions

    Contact: Joel Cook/Anna Taylor  03000 416892/416478

    Media

    Items
    No. Item

    138.

    Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2017 pdf icon PDF 90 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Mr Booth asked why his apologies were not recorded within the minutes of the meeting on 7 July.  The Scrutiny Research Officer explained that apologies were recorded on the Council’s Committee Management System but that these were not contained within the printed minutes. 

     

    The Chairman referred to an update note on the Council’s Fire Safety Review from the Director of Infrastructure which had been circulated to the Committee via email.  This was considered to be comprehensive and members would await the full report to Cabinet in due course. 

     

    RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2017 were an accurate record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

     

     

    139.

    Select Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 59 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    (1)  The Scrutiny Committee received ‘bids’ for three Select Committee topics. 

     

    Pupil Premium – Mrs Prendergast

     

    (2)  Mr Gough explained to the Committee that this review would be timely.  As attainment had risen, gaps had remained intractable.  There had been a high profile Government initiative in the form of Pupil Premium; it would be useful for the Council to look at what good was being achieved with the money received through Pupil Premium, where there were examples of good practice and how this could be shared.  Pupil Premium was money given directly to schools but influenced a performance gap in schools on which KCC was judged.  

     

    (3)  Mrs Prendergast gave Members some background on Pupil Premium which had been brought in in 2011 to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities.  Mrs Prendergast envisaged that the Select Committee could review how the £58million of Pupil Premium per annum was currently being used to benefit Kent’s vulnerable learners.    The review could identify best practice which could be shared to improve the outcomes for vulnerable learners.

     

    (4)  The Chairman opened the debate up to questions.  Members considered this to be a worthy topic which followed on well from the Grammar Schools and Social Mobility topic which referenced Pupil Premium.  One Member asked the Corporate Director whether all the data which would be needed for the review would be available.  Mr Leeson confirmed that all the data required would be available. 

     

    (5)  One Member asked whether it was the intention to look at the cumulative effect of the proposals for the new School Funding Formula as well as Pupil Premium.  There were concerns over the two making a huge difference to the income of schools.  Mr Gough explained that he considered these to be slightly different issues although it would be for the Select Committee to determine its own Terms of Reference.  

     

    (6)  Another Member raised the issue of the performance gap and the link to poor aspirations of children and parents from more deprived backgrounds. 

     

    Social Isolation

     

    (7)  Mr Pugh presented the Social Isolation Select Committee proposal and explained that a lot of information was available.  He gave an example of how social isolation might occur after a hip operation.  There were concerns that once social isolation started occurring and mild depression and mental ill health set in.  Research recognised that people needed communities and friends, for example, to help prevent them suffering from mental ill health.  It was hoped that the Select Committee would look at the problem of social isolation and come up with solutions to cater for people long term in terms of involvement in the community. 

     

    (8)  Mr Thomas-Sam responded and confirmed that the impact of social isolation was well understood and could affect long term health.  Both health and social services were working together to try to support people but it was important for Members to look at the contribution of other key agencies as well.  Mr Oakford explained that the scope of this proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 139.