Relevant Cabinet Member(s)

Wards Affected

Key Decision

The Mayor

Councillor B Hoyle

Councillor P Coddington

Councillor C Ransome

All

None

Priority Theme

Mayor’s Priorities for 2011/12

Implications of this initiative

1. Creating a strong, connected and inclusive economy

·   Drive forward the Doncaster economy

·   Get the balance of public and private transport right

·   Promote Doncaster as a tourist destination

·   Regenerate Doncaster's town centres 

The Overview and Scrutiny function has the potential to impact upon all of the council’s key objectives by holding decision makers to account, reviewing performance and developing policy through robust recommendations, monitoring performance of council and external partners services and reviewing issues outside the remit of the council that have an impact on the residents of the borough.

2. Developing stronger communities

·   Encourage community harmony and cohesion.  Treat people as individuals, not by reference to labels and artificial groupings

3. Increasing and improving housing  

·   Raise housing standards

4. Protecting and improving all our children’s lives

·   Continue to improve education and skills

·   Build on a strengthening Children's Service

5. Improving health and support for independent lives

·   Encourage attitudes of self-reliance, self-improvement and mutual respect within Doncaster communities

6. Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour

·   Reduce crime and all forms of anti-social behaviour

7. Creating a cleaner and better environment

·   Continue to protect the environment from developers, decay and architectural vandalism

8. Internal Transformation

·   Ensure local people get value for money from council services

22^nd May 2012

SMC Options

Opportunity for the Panel to consider and comment on a range of options (including a preferred option) for the future management of the Keepmoat Stadium. 

The Panel supported the preferred option and made further recommendations including that: -

1.      The Athletics club are encouraged to consider being set up as a trust and in the event that this was to occur, that Elected Members are included as representatives on the board of that trust.

2.      That the Chief Executive of Doncaster Rovers attends meetings of the Regeneration & Environment Overview and Scrutiny  to present on a quarterly basis a progress report including relevant feedback and performance information.

To understand the options being taken forward and have the opportunity to comment on them and make recommendations.

Panel

Cabinet 1^st August 2012

Quarterly updates from the Chief Executive of Doncaster Rovers to commence January 2013 subject to availability

Cabinet agreed the final proposals as outlined in the report.

The Chief Executive of Doncaster Rovers to attend meetings of the Panel to present on a quarterly basis a progress report including relevant feedback and performance information.

15^th June 2012

Local Development Framework - Next Steps Opportunity for the panel to consider the proposed approach for consultation on the sites and policies development plan document/draft process for dealing with neighbourhood planning and the proposed prioritisation of support for those areas identified within the core strategy as being suitable for most growth and on-going work to consider community infrastructure levy.

To understand the on-going work and proposed consultation and approaches being taken forward in relation to the LDF.  To have the opportunity to comment on the report and its recommendation and make before a decision is made at Cabinet.

Panel

Decision taken at Cabinet 4^th July 2012

The Panels supported the recommendations being put forward to Cabinet and made a number of comments which were incorporated into the report which included the proposed approach to consultation.  This included the need to ensure that communities in the renewal towns were consulted via parish /town councils (reflected in paragraph 21) and that it was important that members were aware of the potential housing and employment sites in their wards, in advance of the public consultation (officers will ensure this happens).  

Cabinet Members Portfolio Outline: Peter Davies, Mayor of Doncaster  Development; Transport; Equalities and Cohesion; the Council's Change Programme              

To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.

Panel

June 2012 meeting and quarterly performance reports

Update early 2013

To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.

29^th June 2012,

Gypsy and Traveller Review

To comment and note on a report and  recommendations considered by Mayor and Cabinet on 4^th July in relation to findings of the gypsy and traveller accommodation needs assessment and the strategy to meet those needs and the progress of the refurbishment scheme at the gibbons lane site and the extension scheme at land’s end.

To be informed about the Gypsy and Traveller Review.  To have the opportunity to comment on the report and its recommendations and make before a decision is made at Cabinet.

Panel

Decision taken at Cabinet 4^th July 2012

Revised recommendations were made at Cabinet which took into account comments made by the R&E O&S Panel.

Agreed at Cabinet that recommendations, following consultation and the cost/benefit analysis to be brought back to Cabinet for a decision as soon as possible to enable compliance with the HCA’s timelines. 

3^rd September 2012

Work and Skills Update

Opportunity to receive information of the private sector led Work & Skills board.

To receive an annual update on the work of the Private Sector-led Work & Skills Board in attempting to improve the Skills our residents have in order to support economic growth across the Borough. To consider undertaking a further piece of work around this area.

Panel

Cabinet  - 5^th December 2012

Careers Advice & Guidance Review meetings: -

6^th December 2012

11^th December 2012

11^th February 2013

As part of the recommendations made, the panel agreed to that a joint working group (formed with members from the SCYP and R&E O&S) to undertake a review on Careers Advice and Guidance.  This review was undertaken over one site visits and two meetings and recommendations will be ratified at the R&E O&S Panel meeting on the 18^th March 2013

Performance 2012/13

(Qtr. 1)- DMBC

Continue to monitor.

Panel

Through quarterly report & review

To hold relevant Directors and Cabinet Members to account. Focus on key areas of overspend & underperformance and consider actions for improvement. Identify issues for future consideration.

Ensure concerns identified continue to be monitored.

Performance 2012/13

(Qtr. 1) – St Leger

Cabinet Members Portfolio Outline:

Councillor C Ransome

To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.

Panel

September 2012 meeting and quarterly performance reports

Update early 2013

To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.

17^th October 2012

Cabinet Members Portfolio Outline:

Councillor P Coddington

To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.

Panel

October 2012 meeting and quarterly performance reports

Update early 2013

To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.

Work, skills and enterprise programme going forward and update on opportunity centres

To understand the current position with regard to the future work and skills support offer within the Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme (Success Doncaster) and also provides an update on Opportunity Centres.

Panel

October 2012 meeting

Potential further updates to be provided on the works, skills and enterprise programme

Following a review undertaken as part of the 2011/2012 workplan, the Panel was brought up-to-date with progress made on recommendations from the review and the wider picture in terms of the Work, Skills and Enterprise Programme.  Recommendations were made based on the information presented at the Panel meeting

19^th November 2012

Cabinet Members Portfolio Outline:

Councillor B Hoyle

To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.

Panel

November 2012 meeting and quarterly performance reports

Update early 2013

To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.

Adoption of the first Council Environment Strategy

As part of the R&E O&S workplan a working group was set up to look at the Environmental Strategy. 

Working Group/Panel

Going to Cabinet 5^th December 2012

Following a meeting of the working group on the 10^th August 2012 recommendations were made by the working group which were accepted and have been incorporated into the final version of the strategy.

The Council’s first Environment Strategy was adopted by Cabinet on the 5th December 2012.

Adoption of the Doncaster Council Statement of Policy (Gambling Policy 2013)

Statutory Plan

Panel

Cabinet 19^th December 2012

Approved

Performance 2012/13

(Qtr. 2) – St Leger

Continue to monitor.

Panel

Through quarterly report & review

To hold relevant Directors to account. Focus on key areas of overspend & underperformance and consider actions for improvement. Identify issues for future consideration.

Ensure concerns identified continue to be monitored.

22^nd January 2013

Update Report from Mayor Peter Davies and Cllr Cynthia Ransome (TBC)

To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports.

Panel

January 2013 meeting and quarterly performance reports

To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.

LDF - Sites and Policies DPD

The Panel agreed to: -

1.  To note the proposed responses to the main points raised from the consultation as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;

2.  To note the proposed amendments in relation to housing and employment sites as set out in Appendix 2 with the exception of Broad Axe Field; and

3.  To reject the approach to Full Council approval, including the items for which delegated authority will be sought.

The report provided an update on the Sites and Policies Development Plan Document and the timeline for formal approval process up to Full Council in March 2013.

Panel

Going to Cabinet

13^th February 2013 and Full Council

7th March 2013    

At Cabinet the decision was taken to recommend that Full Council approve the Sites and Policies Development Plan Document progress to the publication stage, subject to no new major issues being raised during the publication stage, the document be submitted to government (including the making of any minor editorial changes).

18^th March 2013

Update Report Cabinet Member Portfolio Holders

To understand priorities and review progress later in year. During the course of the year continue to measure aspects through Quarterly Performance reports

Panel

March 2013 meeting and quarterly performance reports

To provide accountability for improvement and improve transparency.

Performance 2012/13

(Qtr. 3)- DMBC

Continue to monitor.

Panel

Through quarterly report & review

To hold relevant Directors to account. Focus on key areas of overspend & underperformance and consider actions for improvement. Identify issues for future consideration.

Ensure concerns identified continue to be monitored.

Performance 2012/13

(Qtr. 3) – St Leger

Asset Management Review

Review of Future of Waste Depot

Racecourse Management Company

Careers Advice and Guidance Review

1.

Minutes dated 11^th December, 2012

Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th December, 2012 were agreed as a correct record.

2.

Feedback from discussions from Private Sector

Andrew Best and Jayne Vose outlined discussions by the Work and skills Partnership where the following priorities and delivery agreements were agreed :

Priority 1 – Improve the employability competencies of those in Education;

Priority 2 – Promote the value of apprenticeships and internships to businesses to make it easier to them to recruit;  and

Priority 3 – Attract and retain graduates in the borough.

A teaching pack had been developed and tailored to specific age ranges as required.  Rossington All Saints School had volunteered to undertake the programme and through this school pyramid could present an opportunity to potentially access 9 out of 11 secondary schools.

Funding - To support delivery of the above, DMBC could contribute £120,000 until end of March however any carryover would require approval.

Sheffield City Region had funding allocations of between £24 to £25m.  It was agreed with Sheffield City Council (as accountable body for the deal with Government) that Doncaster Council receives £640K grant funding to operate the Doncaster Hub.  This will help deliver the additional 640 apprenticeships and 320 people upskilled over the next 3 years.  It was noted that a decision would be taken by Cabinet relating to the funding in late February.

In response to queries, it was explained that through work undertaken as part of the LMI there had been 50 to 60 small businesses interested in such an initiative.  The Council would be responsible for ensuring the Apprenticeships were of a certain standard/length and completed.  The programme would be run through an existing mechanism rather than adding an extra provider in the Borough.  The programmes would be aimed at businesses with 0 to 50 employees, additional to those that already actively provide apprenticeships and demand led.  The funding was not for wage replacement but aimed at sustainable employment growth for in the borough.

Champions for Careers Advice and Guidance - School Governing bodies currently appoint champions for specialist roles, for example, safeguarding.  The establishment of Governing Body Champions was proposed, but this would be a voluntary decision made by schools.  It would be approached through presentations to Secondary Head and Governors’ forum.

3.

Discussions with Schools – Careers Advice and Guidance Provision

Pam Bolderson explained that she was currently visiting all Doncaster’s secondary schools to evaluate the careers advice and guidance currently being provided.

She outlined those that were and were not meeting the statutory requirements.  Chris Pratt, Director of Children and Young People’s Service had been informed of the schools not meeting the statutory requirement and that they would be challenged by the Directorates management team.

Some schools had invested in a careers advisor providing 1 to 2 days per week at the school, but this was a reduction in what the Local Authority had provided, that being 3 to 4 days per week.

The group was of the opinion that current provision was light touch and expressed concern that many children would not receive good support when trying to choose a career path.

Councillors were pleased that a mechanism was in place to challenge schools on a number of issues, if it was thought they were providing an inadequate service.

4.

Network IAG - Barnsley

Further to discussion at the meeting in December, Pam Bolderson provided information and explained the Network IAG in Barnsley, in response to the Borough’s high NEETs statistics.

A collaborative was formed to help schools meet their statutory duties and provide and impartial and independent careers guidance for pupils.

The system works well for Barnsley but it was noted that Doncaster’s landscape was completely different to that in Barnsley, recognising that the Borough only had one college and one sixth form. 

The group discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the collaborative and questioned whether it was something that could be delivered through the Doncaster Association for Training Manager (DATM).

Because parents have such strong supporting and influential roles in their child’s life, concern was expressed with regard to how and what information was available to them.  It was suggested that perhaps the issue could be addressed through Parent and Teacher Associations, but this was the responsibility of the school.

Recommendations:

1.

A report be presented to the Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Panel in Autumn 2013 detailing progress with Apprenticeship programmes and progress of the Work and Skills Board, following consideration of the proposed Cabinet decision entitled Investing in Apprenticeships, Skills and Jobs.

2.

Support the action proposed for Careers Advice and Guidance School Governor Champions and propose that a co-ordinated support package/guidelines be developed to assist all appointed Governors, including local authority Councillors in their role.

3.

The programme, actions and priorities of the Work and Skills Board, be supported

4.

The proposed Cabinet decision Investing in Apprenticeships, Skills and Jobs, be supported.

5.

Propose that how the parental role can be further utilised and their access can be increased to career advice and information by the Work and Skills Board programme and actions.

6.

Support the work of the Children and Young People’s Management Team in holding Academies to account with regard to the quality of careers advice and guidance being provided.

7.

The development of a Doncaster Council quality mark be considered to be awarded to trainers/employers.

8.

Consideration be given to what could be applied from the Barnsley IAG network to support Doncaster’s programme, bearing in mind the differing landscapes.