Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 1st November, 2018 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13th September, 2018 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th September, 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

To consider the Executive Director’s Report No. ED1807 (copy attached) on the Council’s approach to investment in commercial property.

The Committee considered the Executive Directors Report No. ED1807, which set out the background to the Council’s current position relating to commercial property and identified the way forward.

The Council’s Executive Head of Regeneration and Property, Mr. Paul Brooks attended the meeting. Mr. Brooks explained that his team were currently looking in more detail at the processes used to invest in commercial property and requested that more time was allowed to gather the information requested by the Committee.

It was AGREED that detailed consideration of this item would be deferred to the meeting of the Committee on 31st January, 2019.

To receive a presentation giving an outline of the results for schools in Rushmoor for 2018 and to consider whether to examine the issue in more detail.

The Committee received a presentation by Mr. Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy, Strategy and Partnerships, providing an update on education and skills in Rushmoor and the recent Key Stage 2 (KS2) and Key Stage 4 (KS4) results.

The presentation, highlighted educational levels of the working age population, Ofsted reports and the KS2 and KS4 results. The schools “requiring improvement”, according to Ofsted, were noted. It was advised that during 2017, the progress of pupils in some schools, at KS2, was below the national average in reading, writing and maths. However, 67% of schools had results above the England average in 2017 and 72% in 2016, the 2018 results were due in December, 2018.

It was explained that the KS4 GCSE results had shown that three secondary schools (Fernhill, Alderwood and Cove) were performing “below” or “well below” the average and only Wavell had an “average” score in the Progress 8 results. Wavell was also performing at the same level or slightly above the Hampshire and England averages for Attainment 8. In respect of the English and Maths GCSE grades 4/5, Wavell was the only secondary school in the Borough performing above the Hampshire and England averages. The Committee was also advised of the number of young people being entered for the English Baccalaureate, the numbers entering had varied over the past three years, but Wavell remained consistent with the number of pupils being entered. The results for 2017/18 showed that Wavell scored higher than the Hampshire and England averages. The 2017/18 provisional GCSE results showed that Wavell had scored “average” or “above average” in all areas. However, Cove, Fernhill and Alderwood were a cause for concern, scoring “below average” or “well below average”. It was noted that Cove and Fernhill had, in the past, had difficulty maintaining staff; this situation appeared to have been resolved recently and most available positions had been filled by full time teaching staff. It was hoped that this positive change would translate into wider improvements going forward.

The Committee noted that Hampshire County Council (HCC), being the education authority, was striving to make improvements within the schools in the Rushmoor area. The Council was also involved in a range of initiatives, which had been introduced to support the secondary schools: these included mock interviews, careers days/events, mental health support and years 10 and 11 work placements. The Council was also working with students at the Farnborough College of Technology on a shadowing programme with Elected Members. It was reported that the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet had held meetings with headteachers and would continue to discuss issues, provide support and liaise with HCC to seek to address the challenges.

The Committee was asked to consider the issues raised and whether educational attainment issue could be taken forward as a project.

The Committee discussed the presentation and concerns were raised regarding the high turnover of staff in some schools and the support provided to those teachers in post. The number of children with special  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Councillor Jonathan Canty will report back on the outcomes from the Joint Scrutiny Committee (Basingstoke/Hart/Rushmoor) Community Safety Partnership meeting on 11th October, 2018.

The Vice-Chairman (Cllr Jonathan Canty) updated the Committee on a recent meeting of the North East Hampshire Community Safety Partnership, which he had attended as the Council’s representative. It was noted that the primary focus of the Partnership’s work was on strategic assessment and performance.

Cllr Canty advised that there were gaps in the data being provided. The Police and Crime Commissioner's office had introduced a new data package, which was hoped would improve the way in which the data was captured.

The Strategic Assessment highlighted current trends. It was noted that, overall, the crime rate had risen in North East Hampshire and this was attributed to the way in which crimes were recorded. For example, in recent times there had been an increase in reports of historic sexual offences, which had skewed the figures. The two main areas for concern in the local area were anti-social behaviour and domestic violence related crimes. A number of recommendations had been made at the meeting, in particular:

·         To develop the work around vulnerability with a focus on complex issues

·         To consider the rolling out the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO's) across Hampshire.

·         To pilot the "Making Every Adult Matter" initiative in Basingstoke, with the aim to roll it out across the county.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Canty for his update and it was AGREED that the issues would be considered in more detail at a future meeting of the Progress Group.

To review the current work plan (copy attached).

The Committee noted the current work programme.