North Yorkshire Council

Children and Families

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Wednesday 19 March 2025

Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Draft Work Programme 2025-2026

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services

1.0       Purpose of Report

1.1       This report invites Members to consider the Committee’s Work Programme for 2025-2026, considering the outcomes and discussions on previous agenda items and feedback from Committee Members.

2.0       Summary

2.1       This report provides a draft work programme for the next 12 months and seeks feedback from the Committee.

3.0       Background

3.1       The role of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee is to scrutinise the planning, commissioning, and delivery of services for children, young people and their families, including education, care and protection, and family support.

3.2       The draft Work Programme schedule is enclosed at Appendix 1.

3.3       The proposed agenda items are based on them being a mix of areas that the Committee:

a) has tended to consider on an annual basis,

b) has considered previously, and which Members have requested to receive an update on,

c) has not considered previously at a formal meeting.

3.4       Whilst there is no set limit to the number of agenda items to be considered at each Committee meeting, presentations and the discussions and questions that follow are very detailed and an appropriate amount of time is allocated to each item. It is suggested that the Committee might want to continue to concentrate on a maximum of three or four topics per meeting.

3.5       Scheduled Committee dates and Mid-Cycle Briefing dates for 2025-2026 are as follows:

Committee Meetings

· Wednesday 19 March 2025 at 10am

· Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 10am

· Wednesday 17 September 2025 at 10am

· Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 10am

· Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 10am

Mid Cycle Briefing Dates

· Tuesday 1 April 2025 at 10am

· Tuesday 5 August 2025 at 10am

· Monday 17 November 2025 at 3pm

· Monday 19 January 2026 at 10am

· Friday 1^st November 2026 at 10am

3.6       Please note that the Mid Cycle Briefings are not public meetings and are attended by the Chair, Vice-Chair and Spokespersons for the political groups. These meetings are used to develop the committee work programme and determine the scheduling of key items.

4.0       Alternative Options Considered

4.1       Not applicable

5.0       Financial Implications

5.1       No applicable

6.0       Legal Implications

6.1       Not applicable

7.0       Equalities Implications

7.1       Not applicable

8.0       Climate Change Implications

8.1       Not applicable

9.0	Recommendation
9.1	The Committee is asked to confirm, comment, or amend the areas listed in the Work Programme Schedule as appropriate.

            Appendices:

Appendix A – Draft Work Programme for 2025-2026

Barry Khan

Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services

County Hall

Northallerton

Report Author – Alice Fox, Senior Scrutiny Officer

Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.