To update Cabinet on the performance of the Children and Young People’s (CYP) Directorate as part of the continuing performance management process specifically established since the Joint Area Review (JAR) inspection in 2005.

The Cabinet Member Children’s Services presented the report to Cabinet on the progress made in Children’s Services and complimented staff on the progress that had been made.  The Director reminded Cabinet that it had been a difficult Joint Area Review (JAR) outcome in 2005 with a number of things put in place in order to monitor progress.  Recently the Government Office for the West Midlands had looked at the requirement to remove the intervention and Cabinet was advised that it had been agreed by the Government Office that the intervention could be removed.  This was due to the improvement in outcomes in the last 18 months, which were significant and that services were now either adequate or better across the five ECM outcome areas.  The Director advised that she was positive about the letter from the Government Office regarding their comments on Herefordshire as they were in agreement with the directorates own self evaluation.  She reiterated that the directorate had worked closely with the Government Office and would continue to have regular meetings but formal intervention had now been removed.

The Director added that the areas for further improvement would be taken forward and a draft Children and Young People’s Plan was being finalised for April.  She added that the directorate would now return to the normal pattern of reporting to Cabinet. 

Cabinet discussed funding for schools with particular regard for Staunton-on-Wye school and was advised that the funds for the school were ring fenced.  Discussion was also held over the proposed build of Minster Academy through BSF funding scheme and the wish to have an early rebuild of the school.  Cabinet was advised that there was approximately £40m for primary school redevelopment and the worst buildings would need to be prioritised.  Cabinet and Members in attendance thanked staff for their hard work in achieving the removal of the formal intervention from the directorate.

RESOLVED

THAT:

(a)      Cabinet note the significant progress reported and the cessation of formal intervention by Government Office West Midlands;

(b)      Cabinet return to the usual performance monitoring and reporting of the Directorate; and

(c)        it be noted that Cabinet thanked the Children and Young People’s Directorate for their hard work in achieving the removal of the formal intervention by Government Office.