The minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Questions submitted pursuant to Standing Order 36 in relation to matters falling within the Committee’s Powers & Duties which have been submitted in writing and received by the Head of Legal & Democratic Services no later than four clear working days before the meeting.

One question on the following matter was submitted by Councillor Cresswell.

Members from the Me2 Club will be present at the meeting to inform the Committee about their current work.

The Committee were joined by young people and representatives from the Me2 ClubMe2Club – Me2 Club to provide information on the work of the club and how young people had been supported. 

The members of the Me2 Club addressed the Committee and provided examples of their difficult experiences at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The Committee will receive a report providing an update on performance improvement and consideration of what further action can be taken.

The Committee received an update on the current position regarding school exclusions and  suspensions from school.  The Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) performance and data report was available at Appendix 1, and the Suspensions analysis – Key Lines of Enquiry was available at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

A report to consider school place planning for Children with Special Educations Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and to consult on proposals for a special school provision.

The Committee received a report providing information on school place planning for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The report explained that the School Place Planning Strategy 2022-2027 that had been considered by the Committee in March 2024 (Minute 36 refers), set out how Brighter Futures for Children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The Committee will receive an update from the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust regarding work to address inequalities in maternity care.

The Committee received a presentation from Christine Harding, Director of Midwifery, Royal Berkshire Hospital, on work being undertaken to address inequalities in maternity care.

The Committee were provided with the following information:

• The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust was the main provider of maternity services for the population of Reading,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

A report inviting the Committee to determine:

• The admissions arrangements for Community Primary Schools in Reading for the school year 2026/27.
• The coordinated scheme for primary and junior schools for the 2026/27 school year.
• The coordinated scheme for secondary schools for the 2026/27 school year.
• The Relevant Area for 2026.
• Maps of the Primary catchment areas.

The Committee received a report to determine the school admission arrangements for 2026/2027 as follows:

• The admissions arrangements for Community Primary Schools in Reading for the school year 2026/27.
• The coordinated scheme for primary and junior schools for the 2026/27 school year.
• The coordinated scheme for secondary schools for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

A report providing the Committee with an overview of Complaints, compliments, SARs activity and performance for Children’s Social Care for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

The Committee received a report providing an overview of complaints, compliments, Subject Access Requests (SARs) activity and performance for Children’s Social Care Social Care for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.  Nayana George, Information Rights Services Manager, provided an overview to the Committee.

The report stated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

A report providing an overview of complaints, compliments activity and performance for Adult Social Care for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

The Committee received a report providing an overview of complaints and compliments activity and performance for Adult Social Care for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.  A summary of Adult Social Care Complaints and Compliments 2023/24 was attached to the report at Appendix A. Nayana George,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The Committee will receive a report to consider Nursing Dementia Block Bed Contracts to secure future provision for Reading residents.

The Committee received a report to consider Nursing Dementia Block Bed Contracts to secure future provision for Reading residents.

The report explained that ACE Committee on 22 October 2020 (Minute 2 refers) had authorised Adult Social Care commissioning to offer and manage new block contracts of up to 15 beds  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

A report providing information on the Youth Justice Service HMIP inspection report and consideration of the associated Improvement Plan.

The Committee received a report on the Youth Justice Service inspection undertaken by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) between 9 and 13 September 2024. The inspection had focused on four domains; 1 - Governance and Leadership, 2 - Post Court Work, 3 - Pre-Court Work and 4 - Resettlement.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.