The Committee received an update on the work of the Children’s and Education Sub-Committee.  The main points of the discussions on the update may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Noted that the decision to establish the Children’s and Education Sub-Committee had been taken in order to improve the alignment of the Councils scrutiny structure with the Council’s key strategic priorities;

·         Noted that the Children’s and Education Sub-Committee also intended to continue to provide effective support and challenge for Children's Services following the achievement of the ‘good’ Ofsted rating;

·         Noted that the decision to create the Children’s and Education Sub-Committee has proven to be especially useful as there has been a number of significant issues which have needed the resource of a dedicated committee to ensure that effective scrutiny is carried out;

·         Noted that the Children’s and Education Sub-Committee has focused on the (i) on the outcome of public representations received in response to the statutory proposal to close Raines Church of England Foundation School, school exclusions; (ii) Special educational needs and disability (SEND); (iii) School improvement and the role of Tower Hamlets Education Partnership (THEP); (iv) Youth service provision for girls; (v) Children’s social care improvement – 6 months post Ofsted; and (vi) The decision to close the Victoria Park One O’clock club.

·         Noted that in the final meetings of this municipal year, the Sub-Committee will consider

(i)            SEND Transport Review;

(ii)          Primary School review; and

(iii)         A challenge session on cyberbullying.

Accordingly, the Chair Moved and it was:

RESOLVED to agree the update