Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Banfield and Walker.

There were no declarations of interest.

Council approved the appointments to committees listed in Annex 1 and the following additional appointments notified at the meeting:

Corporate Parenting Committee: appointment of Councillor Jane Hanna

Horton Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee: appointment of Councillor Freddie van Mierlo and Councillor Jenny Hannaby

Remuneration Committee: Councillor John Howson to replace Councillor Alison Rooke

Members of the public who wish to speak on an item on the agenda at this meeting, or present a petition, can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection. Requests must be submitted no later than 9am one working day before the meeting i.e., 9am on Monday <dd month year>. Requests to speak should be sent to committeesdemocraticservices@oxfordshire.gov.uk

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails, then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am on the day of the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

Item 6 – Motion from Cllr Reeves:

Claire Brenner

Charlotte Galbraith

Pete Nellist

Melody Drinkwater

The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Eddie Reeves and seconded by Councillor Nigel Simpson.

“This Council recognises that support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (‘SEND’) is of utmost importance. This Council regrets that too many SEND families have been let down.

This Council notes with regret OFSTED’s observations that “leaders have not acted effectively enough” to address “widespread and/or systematic failings” within local services. It is unacceptable that:

“Too many children and young people do not receive the right help until they are close to crisis”.

This Council accepts OFSTED’s conclusions and resolves to work on a cross-party basis to develop urgent improvements to ensure that families rebuild trust and confidence in countywide SEND provision.

Recalling this Council’s motion of 13 December 2022, the Leader is requested to:

1.     Work with SEND families, Cabinet colleagues and scrutiny Chairs to deliver – and ensure proper oversight of – service and process improvements;

2.     Investigate and report to members as to where more targeted funding would assist such improvements and where internal processes could be changed to ensure better outcomes without additional expenditure;

3.     Ensure that SEND provision is a key priority in future budgets of her administration; and

4.     Regularly attend SEND Carers’ Forum meetings and other appropriate fora, ensuring that the Leaders of all political Groups are duly invited, together with the Chair of the People Scrutiny Committee, to facilitate ongoing cross-party dialogue with families.

This Council resolves to accelerate the deliberations of the Future Council Governance Group on the configuration of scrutiny committees to ensure closer oversight of this vital policy area.”

Councillor Eddie Reeves moved and Councillor Nigel SImpson seconded the following motion:

“This Council recognises that support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (‘SEND’) is of utmost importance. This Council regrets that too many SEND families have been let down.

This Council notes with regret OFSTED’s observations that “leaders have not acted effectively enough” to address “widespread and/or systematic failings” within local services. It is unacceptable that:

“Too many children and young people do not receive the right help until they are close to crisis”.

This Council accepts OFSTED’s conclusions and resolves to work on a cross-party basis to develop urgent improvements to ensure that families rebuild trust and confidence in countywide SEND provision.

Recalling this Council’s motion of 13 December 2022, the Leader is requested to:

1.     Work with SEND families, Cabinet colleagues and scrutiny Chairs to deliver – and ensure proper oversight of – service and process improvements;

2.     Investigate and report to members as to where more targeted funding would assist such improvements and where internal processes could be changed to ensure better outcomes without additional expenditure;

3.     Ensure that SEND provision is a key priority in future budgets of her administration; and

4.     Regularly attend SEND Carers’ Forum meetings and other appropriate fora, ensuring that the Leaders of all political Groups are duly invited, together with the Chair of the People Scrutiny Committee, to facilitate ongoing cross-party dialogue with families.

This Council resolves to accelerate the deliberations of the Future Council Governance Group on the configuration of scrutiny committees to ensure closer oversight of this vital policy area.”

After debate the motion was put to a vote.  The motion was carried with 56 in favour, none against and no abstentions.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that :

“This Council recognises that support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (‘SEND’) is of utmost importance. This Council regrets that too many SEND families have been let down.

This Council notes with regret OFSTED’s observations that “leaders have not acted effectively enough” to address “widespread and/or systematic failings” within local services. It is unacceptable that:

“Too many children and young people do not receive the right help until they are close to crisis”.

This Council accepts OFSTED’s conclusions and resolves to work on a cross-party basis to develop urgent improvements to ensure that families rebuild trust and confidence in countywide SEND provision.

Recalling this Council’s motion of 13 December 2022, the Leader is requested to:

1.     Work with SEND families, Cabinet colleagues and scrutiny Chairs to deliver – and ensure proper oversight of – service and process improvements;

2.     Investigate and report to members as to where more targeted funding would assist such improvements and where internal processes could be changed to ensure better outcomes without additional expenditure;

3.     Ensure that SEND provision is a key priority in future budgets of her administration; and

4.     Regularly attend SEND Carers’ Forum meetings and other appropriate fora, ensuring that the Leaders of all political Groups are duly invited,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76/23