Agenda item

Members were provided with updates from the Chairs of each Select Committee.  Areas highlighted included:

ADULT SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE

Scrutiny Review – Reablement Service: Whilst still not sighted on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) report following its inspection of SBC adult social care services, the Committee had now received the Peopletoo (external consultants) findings.  Revised timelines for concluding this review would be discussed at the next meeting in July 2025 – however, the Committee’s final report would not be presented to Cabinet until September 2025 at the earliest.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SELECT COMMITTEE

Scrutiny Review – Narrowing the Gap in Educational Attainment: Further Action Plans were considered by the Committee in June 2025 in relation to recommendations on improving communication, identifying and supporting young carers, extending the enrichment offer, and celebrating achievements.  Final Action Plans were scheduled to be presented to the Committee in September 2025 – updates on progress of the agreed actions would then be provided at future meetings.

Scrutiny Review – Holiday Activities and Food Programme known locally as Holidays Are Fun (HAF): Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility had increased year-on-year in England, although Government funding had reduced slightly (if the funding remained the same, there would be less funding for each Local Authority).  It was reported that the local HAF booking system was working better now.

Members drew attention to a recent press release which appeared to suggest that nearly a third of HAF places were yet to be booked, and requested that up-to-date information on take-up of this initiative be included in the next Chair’s Update for this Select Committee.

COMMUNITY SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE

Scrutiny Review – Children affected by Domestic Abuse: In advance of the next evidence-gathering session that would take place later in July 2025, some nationally-recognised developments involving local domestic abuse support services had emerged – however, it was understood that this had yet to be communicated to a wider audience.

Members commented on the ongoing need for the Council and its partners to more effectively communicate areas of good practice, particularly when this had been acknowledged / commended outside the Borough.  A request was made for further details of this emerging domestic abuse-related news to be included in the next Chair’s Update for this Select Committee.

PEOPLE SELECT COMMITTEE

Scrutiny Review – Partnership Working in Early Help: Following agreement of the review’s scope and plan in May 2025, evidence-gathering commenced in June 2025 with the extent of the existing SBC early help outlined and discussed.  Further contributions had since been received from School Support, with future submissions anticipated from other partners (Cleveland Police, Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, Family Action) which also offered early help services.

PLACE SELECT COMMITTEE

Scrutiny Review – Muslim and Faith Burial Services: The evidence-gathering phase for this review was coming to a conclusion, with next month’s informal meeting scheduled to review the information received and formulate draft recommendations.  The Committee was confident of arriving at solutions that would be welcomed by local communities using these services.

Monitoring: Reference was made to the recently agreed Action Plan in relation to the previously completed Affordable Housing review, as well as the ever-changing national picture around this particular scrutiny topic which the Council and its partners were having to contend with.  It was confirmed that the letter to Government regarding Local Housing Allowance Rates had been sent (via the SBC Assistant Director – Housing and A Fairer Stockton-on-Tees) and that this could be followed-up if required.

AGREED that the Select Committee updates be noted.