Issue - meetings

The Leader’s Portfolio

To consider report OSC/276 of the Chair of the Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 11 March 2019.

The Chair of Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel, presented report OSC/276, which contains the Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel’s finding from their review into social mobility within Crawley. Councillor Sudan informed the Cabinet that the review was set up following Crawley being ranked as the worst in the South East, for social mobility by the Government’s Social Mobility Commission. The Panel focused on three areas of social mobility, education, housing and employment and across its five meetings considered evidence from Headteachers, the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at West Sussex CC, individuals from Open House and officers from the Council’s Housings and Economy and Planning divisions, along with other quantitative evidence.

The key finding arising from the reviews included the seeming need for the continuation of Alternative Provision Service for those past the age of 16 to cover those people still in full time education, the expansion of Employ Crawley following it initial success, and where possible a 'tenure blind' approach to housing design.

Councillor T Belben presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments of support and their endorsement of the Panel’s findings.

In considering the report the Councillors P. Smith, Thomas and Lamb all spoke as part of the discussion on the Panel’s report. Councillor P. Smith commented that he as the Cabinet Member that was responsible for many of the areas covered by the review, that he was happy to endorse and enact the Panel recommendation that were related to his remit.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet approves:

a)         General; put forward suggestions to the Social Mobility Commission on how the social mobility index can be further improved e.g. including information about residents who have relocated out of the local authority area following periods of further education.

b)         Housing; continue to support the Council’s commitment to building social housing.

c)         Housing; that consideration be given to a 'tenure blind' approach to housing design wherever possible.

d)         Employment; recognise and continue to support the good work that is taking place with the Council’s Employment and Skills Plan.

e)         Employment; that, as part of the Employment and Skills Plan, consideration be given for bringing training providers together to embark upon a solution for adult learning and re-training (adult education).

f)          Employment; that, as part of the Employment and Skills Plan, further work be undertaken with the ‘Information and Advice Group’ (IAG) to engage with junior children and careers advice, particularly on how to access pathways.

g)         Employment; that, as part of the Employment and Skills Plan, support additional funding opportunities to expand Employ Crawley.

h)         Employment: that the Head of Legal, Democracy and HR, on behalf of the Council, give consideration to the Council becoming a Social Mobility Employer through the Social Mobility Foundation.

i)          Education; that the Leader, on behalf of the Council, request WSCC to further consider that the Alternative Provision Service continues past the age of 16.

j)          Education; that the Leader, on behalf of the Council, request WSCC to further consider that the Access  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7

To consider report OSC/276 of the Chair of the Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel.

The Commission considered report OSC/276 of the Chair of the Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel, Councillor K Sudan. 

The Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel was established to “investigate the state of social mobility within the borough and practical steps which can be taken to ensure that a child’s outcomes are no longer capped “by those of their parents”. Its purpose was to analyse, review and understand a local (and national where appropriate) perspective on the extent of the problem, together with the main challenges in delivering greater social mobility and finally recommend practical steps that can be taken by Crawley Borough Council, and other relevant organisations, to improve the “life chances” of those growing up in the town. The review focused on where the Council could add value and influence.

Councillors made the following comments:

·        Whilst there was support for the report and appreciation of the Panel’s work, it was felt there were certain inconsistencies regarding some of the recommendations in terms of adding value or how these could be measured. To clarify, further information was provided in relation to alternative provision education for pupils up to age 16 who do not attend mainstream school, together the Fair Access and Exclusions Team that provide support.  There was a view that investing into an extended service post 16 in the interim would prevent intervention from other services and funding commitments in the future.

·        Acknowledgement that a response should be made to the Social Mobility Commission on how the social mobility index could be improved.  It was recognised that data can be collected and analysed in multiple ways. Many people succeed in life through different ventures (without going to university for example). (Note - ‘How to overcome local skills gaps and meet local skills needs in Crawley’ may provide one suitable reference).

·        It was noted that organisations that are Social Mobility Employers through Social Mobility Foundation act as benchmarks for others.

·        Support for improved careers advice, especially combined with the Junior Citizen Scheme. It was noted that recruitment agencies use screening processes with a reliance on only the qualified candidates moving on to the next round.

·        Recognition that it was about ensuring all individuals were aware of the choices available to them, whilst having the option to fulfil their objectives and “life chances” if they so wished. 

·        Strong support that “success” was individually determined, and not necessarily linked to monetary value, educational attainment, occupation, living conditions or being socially mobile. In some cases, ‘success’ could simply be linked to “being content”.

RESOLVED

That the Commission agreed to support the recommendations to the Cabinet.