This meeting's agenda features a requisition for an extraordinary meeting, submitted by three councillors, to discuss the findings of the recent Ofsted Area SEND inspection. The requisition proposes that the committee receive an update from the relevant cabinet member and interim executive director and consider next steps. The agenda also sets out the procedure for members of the public to ask questions at Improvement and Scrutiny Committee meetings.

Ofsted Area SEND Inspection Report

A requisition for an extraordinary meeting¹ submitted by Councillors R George, S Burfoot, and C Dale will be included in the meeting pack. The requisition proposes that the committee invite the relevant Cabinet Member and the temporary Executive Director for Children’s Services to attend the meeting to discuss the findings of the Ofsted Area SEND inspection, which was published on 14 November 2024.

The inspection found widespread and/or systemic failings leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), which the local area partnership must address urgently.

The requisition proposes that the meeting will provide a forum for the committee to scrutinise the authority's response to the report. In particular, the meeting will consider the adequacy of the measures that are being taken to address the issues that the report identified. The committee will also consider how they can hold the Cabinet Member to account as they work to improve SEND provision.

The requisition argues that, given the serious nature of the report's findings, it would not be appropriate for the committee to wait until their next scheduled meeting to discuss the report.

Public Questions at Improvement and Scrutiny Committee Meetings

Information will be included in the meeting pack explaining the procedure for members of the public to ask questions at Improvement and Scrutiny Committee meetings.

This information will include details about who is eligible to ask questions, how to submit a question, and what types of questions are permitted. The document also explains the role of the committee chair in managing public questions.