No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest, identified in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine: whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are also reminded to declare the nature of the interest at the earliest opportunity and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it is the Members’ responsibility to identify any interests and also update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of an interest, you are advised to seek advice prior the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest were received.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the held on 26^th February 2020.

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and approved as a correct record.  Chair authorised to sign.

a)    Overall Context and financial pressures – Presentation

b)    Children’s Social Care and Early Help – Presentation

c)    Education and SEND – Presentation

Background reading material attached.

The Sub-Committee received presentations that outlined the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Tower Hamlets so far and attempted to predict the impact going forward with reference to a) the overall context and financial pressures; b) Children’s Social Care and Early Help; and c) Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).  The presentation focused on the national impact to date, the local impact (comparing before and after lockdown, including the results of the recent Tower Hamlets resident survey) and any groups particularly impacted. The presentations then went on to predict challenges and opportunities over the next 12 months and beyond. It was noted that overall, the physical, mental, and social repercussions of Covid-19 go far beyond the virus itself. One of the main cross-cutting themes the Sub-Committee noted being that Covid-19 had shone a light on inequalities, although the Sub-Committee was advised that these could be exacerbated further and would lead to poorer outcomes for residents, higher demands for support and increased financial pressures on the Council.

However, the Sub-Committee also noted the areas of positive impact, raising a question on how the Council can best keep hold of these as lockdown restrictions ease. In addition, that there would be other opportunities for the Council to capitalise on to the benefit of residents and the Borough. The main points of the discussion may be summarised as follows:

(a) Overall Context and financial pressures

The Sub-Committee:

• Noted that the Council faces a whole range of rising demands especially with regards special education needs and social care.
• Was reminded that whilst through the budget process last year LBTH had invested additional funding in these areas.  The impact of the pandemic on the first financial quarter of this year had been considerable as the social care demand rises as children go back the school.
• Recognised that the impact of Covid-19 upon local young people and their families has been an experience of isolation; pressure of high anxiety; and for some of an increased safeguarding risk.
• Acknowledged the commitment; resilience and flexibility of LBTH staff in the way they have developed new ways of working at extraordinary speed since March and April.
• Noted that the delay to planned activity to deliver transformation efficiencies and savings in this financial year has had a cumulative impact on Children's Services as it has had across the Council.
• Noted that (i) there has been a significant increase in the Councils expenditure which is primarily related to support for those families with no real access to other funds; (ii) it is forecast that there will be an increase in the level of support to special educational needs and disabilities; (iii) there would be an increase in pressure in relation to contract services which are in relation to overspends in relation to the delivery of cleaning and catering services; and (iv) with regards to the Direct Schools Grant there has been a long standing pressure on the high needs block.  Primarily due to government underfunding essentially of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.1

The Chair Moved and it was:

RESOLVED that

1.    The frequency of the Sub-Committee meetings should be increased to allow for a full and detailed consideration of Children and Educational issues.

2.    The Sub-Committee should through the Vice-Chair be able to fully participant in the work of the scrutiny function.

3.    They wished to receive a report on the Victoria Park One O’clock Club.

4.    The Sub-Committee should receive reports on the future SEND and Children’s Services financial provision.

5.    They wanted the opportunity to consider Cyberbullying.