Agenda and minutes

Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel - Tuesday, 17th April, 2018 6.00 pm

Venue: Main Hall - Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services Email: democratic.services@crawley.gov.uk

Items

No.

Item

Disclosures of Interest & Whipping Declarations

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, Councillors of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

Councillors must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

Minutes:

No disclosures or whipping declarations were made.

Introduction to the Review and Setting the Scoping Framework and Timescale PDF 106 KB

To agree the draft scoping framework as enclosed. To be followed by a discussion on any background information and the Review.

Minutes:

Councillor Sudan welcomed the Panel to the first meeting of the Social Mobility Scrutiny Review and provided some background information.

The purpose of the Panel was to investigate the state of social mobility within the borough. There had been concern around the low level of social mobility within the town for some time and the Government’s Social Mobility Commission had now highlighted the borough as one of the poorest local authority areas in the country for social mobility and the worst in the South East.

Panel Members discussed the draft scoping framework. It was felt that the review of social mobility should cover all those growing up in Crawley and not be limited to those on low income households. There was an acknowledgement that the social mobility index data required some analysis as whilst Crawley appeared low on the “Overall Rankings South East” tab on the Overall Score, this may not necessarily be the case in all areas. Other data and reports were available that contradict some figures already established and therefore further analysis would be required. It would be key to ascertain the main challenges and identify practical steps to improve those life chances. The scoping framework was agreed as set out as an appendix to these minutes.

Panel Members discussed the possible approach to be adopted. There were specific concerns around education, careers and employment (as identified by the Social Mobility Commission). It was highlighted that the expansion of housing within the borough would potentially impact on the capacity of primary school places and increase the pressure on class sizes.

The Panel discussed at the length the various pathway options identified for those leaving education; including employment, apprenticeships or higher education with acknowledgement that suitability and ability were paramount, as was a cross-section of the local authority area itself. There was a view that some careers advice was inconsistent and this should ideally commence at an early stage in primary schools and be further consolidated at secondary school. It was a concern that both social media and time pressures could be contributing factors to learning and succession planning.

As a result of some preparatory work that had been undertaken, Members acknowledged that the Crawley Employment and Skills Plan (2016-2021) had identified various actions. This document included apprenticeships, careers advice, higher education, training and working with local businesses and employers but it would be beneficial for the Panel to receive an update on its current status.

The Panel also recognised the importance of requesting feedback from the community and voluntary sector, together with Crawley Young Persons Council and it was noted that this could be undertaken through alternative methods to a witness session if the need arose; survey or via email.

It was agreed that it was necessary to obtain further evidence from a wide source of witnesses connected with the issues.

RESOLVED

1. That evidence gathering interviews be arranged with the following:

· Head of Strategic Housing and Planning Services, together with the Head of Crawley Homes – ... view the full minutes text for item 2.

Future Meetings

To confirm that future meetings will continue after the Council AGM in May.

Minutes:

With the scoping framework agreed, future meetings of the Panel would take place after the Council AGM in May. These future meetings were agreed as follows:

Wednesday 13 June 2018	Housing Focus
Monday 23 July 2018	Employment Focus
Tuesday 11 September 2018	Education Focus
Wednesday 3 October 2018	Finalise recommendations
Tuesday 6 November 2018	If Required – Draft report

It was anticipated the report would go to the Cabinet meeting in February 2019.

Appendix - Scoping Framework

Minutes:

Scoping Framework

Title of Review:

Social Mobility Scrutiny Panel

PART1: THE REVIEW

Section 1 - Terms of Reference

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”.

Section 2 – Reasons for the Review

There has been concern around the low level of social mobility within the town for some time and the Government’s Social Mobility Commission has now highlighted the borough as one of the poorest local authority areas in the country for social mobility and the worst in the South East.

Section 3 - Key Objectives of Review

1) A local perspective on the extent of the problem - What the main challenges are in delivering greater social mobility and practical steps which can be taken by Crawley Borough Council and other organisations to improve the life chances of those growing up in Crawley.

2) The social mobility index assessed the education, employability and housing prospects of people within the area, therefore it may be possible for the review to be broken down into several subject areas to provide focus. The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called ‘key stages’ (KS). At the end of each key stage, the teacher will formally assess the child’s performance – these are identified at the end of scoping document.

3) Analyse data (within the social mobility index - coldspots/hotspots), and other sources. Filter various sections to identify areas to provide focus.

Section 4 - What will not be included in the scope (and why)

1) TBC

PART 2: EVIDENCE GATHERING AND PLANNING

Section 5 - Key Documents and Background Information

1) Social Mobility Index Data – It will be important to ascertain the value of the data. Whilst Crawley on the “Overall Rankings South East” tab may be last on the Overall Score, this may not necessarily be the case in all areas. On other scores for example ‘% of young people eligible for Free School Meals at age 15 entering higher education at selective university by age 19’, Crawley scores 88. Similarly, ‘Median weekly salary of employees who live in the local area’ is 94.

2) WSCC Review of Education and Skills Annual Report Summary 2016/17 - Report from the Task and Finish Group, which was considered on 14 March 2018

3) Information and evidence from key CBC Officers – Housing, Community Development and Economic Development.

4) information and evidence from key CBC Officers – Update on the Crawley Employment & Skills Plan 2016- 2021

5) Potential witness sessions or request for update from WSCC Councillors/officers from WSCC.

6) Potential witness sessions with community partners.

If will be important to take into consideration the current officer(s) resources in terms of

gathering data and evidence.

Section 6 - Witnesses to be invited

(some initial suggestions listed below – but probably will need to be more focused and selective)

Organisation

Name/Position

Reason for Inviting

CBC – ... view the full minutes text for item 4.