Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 July 2024.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive an update from Healthwatch around some focused work they are carrying out around youth health.

This item was deferred.

To consider the draft final report.

The Select Committee reviewed the draft final report following its review of Narrowing the Gap in Educational Attainment.

The aim of the review had been to work with schools and other stakeholders and the Appreciative Inquiry model had supported collaboration through exploring good practice and identifying what could still be done to support families.

The findings and recommendations had been developed following extensive engagement with stakeholders and reflected shared objectives.

The Scrutiny Officer shared text summarising headline feedback from stakeholder engagement which would be incorporated into the report and Members highlighted a correction to Appendix 1.

It was noted that following approval of the recommendations, a lead officer/ organisation would need to be identified to take forward the actions under each objective. A programme of monitoring would need to be established to allow the Select Committee to be assured of implementation and the impact of the recommendations.

AGREED that the final report be approved for submission to Cabinet.

The Chair highlighted a review that had been carried out by Newcastle City Council on Supporting Young People into Employment. The review had been discussed at a recent North East Joint Scrutiny network meeting and highlighted the barriers faced young people, particularly in relation to transport.

Members commented that this issue was something that the Select Committee might wish to review again in the future.

AGREED that the work programme be noted.