Agenda and minutes

To receive (if any)

Members are invited to disclose any interests in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting.  Members may still declare an interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no disclosures of interests.

The Chairman will announce details of the arrangements in case of fire or other events that might require the meeting room or building’s evacuation.

The Chairmna reminded memebrs of the procdure to follow in case of an emergency.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 12^th July 2022 and 6^th September 2022 and authorise the Chairman to sign them

The minutes of the meetings held on 12^th July 2022 and 6^th September 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report and scopes attached

The Sub-Committee were presented with 3 topic groups’ scopes.

Members first considered the scope for the Adult SEND Provisions topic group. The lead member, Councillor Wise explained that the initial aim of the group was to investigate the provisions that were currently in place for adults with SEND to identify areas of focused scrutiny. Councillors Wilkes and McArdle nominated themselves to join the topic group.

Members then discussed the EHCP and SEND School Provisions topic group. Members noted that the lead member, Councillor Pat Brown, had sent apologies so were not prepared to make a decision. Members did state that the investigation of special school places was key and should be a main focus.

Members finally considered the School Readiness. Councillor Frankie Walker, the lead member of the topic group, explained to the Sub-Committee the school readiness rates for children on free school meals in Havering was below the London and England averages and this would be the main focus alongside children in poverty. Cllr Walker identified the wards within havering with the largest percentage of children in poverty but explained the data was from 2017 so would be looking for more up to date data. Members noted that not all children in poverty are able to access free school meals. Cllr Walker explained that the topic group would scrutinise other London Borough’s and Council’s provisions and analyse them compared to Havering’s provisions. Other members suggested consulting external services and business which are not Council-led or funded.

The Sub-Committee:

1)    Approved the scopes for Adult SEND and School Readiness topic groups

2)    Approved for the Adult SEND and School Readiness topic groups to commence at the earliest possible time