Venue: Council Chamber, Dunedin House, Columbia Drive, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BJ
Contact: Scrutiny Officer Michelle Gunn
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Evacuation Procedure Minutes: The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedure. |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 April 2025. Minutes: AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 7 April 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. |
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Progress Update - Scrutiny Review of Cost of Living Response Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered a progress update including assessments of progress following implementation of the recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Cost of Living Response. This was the second time the update had been presented to the Committee, and four of the five recommendations assessed as fully achieve.
The Anti-Poverty Strategy and Action Plan would continue to be implemented and it was noted that over the winter months 263 pensioners had been helped to successfully claim Pension Credits, with £874,7051 generated in financial support. This meant that an average annual amount of £3,326 pension credit for each of these households and included £52,600 extra overall in Winter Fuel Payments.
Recommendation 2, regarding working with schools and governors to address the affordability of school uniform, was assessed as on track and a separate progress update on the School Uniform Action Plan. Information and support had been included on the website, promotion of pre-loved school uniform was been carried out via a widespread (social media) and targeted (information to specific groups) approach, and the schools would be contacted to engage with stocking and promoting of pre-loved school uniform stalls.
AGREED that Progress Update be noted, and the assessment of progress be confirmed. The next progress update would be presented in October, after the school summer holidays.
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Scrutiny Review of Partnership Working in Early Help To receive the draft scope and project plan and a background presentation from the link officer. Additional documents: Minutes: Consideration was given to the draft scope and project plan for the Scrutiny Review of Partnership Working in Early Help. A background presentation was received from the review’s link officer, the Head of Service for Early Help, Youth Justice and Youth Support. The presentation covered:
It was noted that early help ensured that help and support was provided to families at the earliest opportunity to improve outcomes for children and young people and prevented situations reaching crisis point that needed statutory intervention.
Members discussed prevention being key to ensure that children were best supported and that the support needed to be child focussed, hearing the voice of the child. It was questioned whether there was resistance from parents in receiving support and informed that there was a varied response, with some parents feeling anxious. The Practitioner needed to put those parents at ease.
Key contributors were identified within the scope and included Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Officers within Early Help, Social Care and Education Support, along with partners delivering aspects of Early Help and support. Best practice will also be sought from other Local Authorities, and the Committee requested to be included in the ongoing discussions Officers were holding.
AGREED that the draft scope and project plan of the review be approved.
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Chair's Update and Select Committee Work Programme 2025 - 2026 Minutes: Consideration was given to the Work Programme. The next meeting would be held on Monday 2 June 2025 and will be the first evidence session for the Scrutiny Review of Partnership Working in Early Years.
AGREED that the Work Programme be noted.
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