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Current Scrutiny Reviews |
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Detail |
Proposed Completion Date |
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Initial Scoping Reviews |
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Subject area for initial scoping |
Detail |
Proposed Dates |
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Transport for all age care |
At its 2024 away day the Committee discussed the challenges in transport for care and home to school transport and agreed that this, in collaboration with Children’s Services and Adult Social Care and Health, could be a potential topic for a future scrutiny review.
An initial scoping board was held in May 2025 where Members considered current statutory duties around transport in both adult social care and education; cost pressures; and programmes of work, planned and underway, to address these.
The Board agreed that it was not currently the right time for a scrutiny review into this area, due to work in progress, but that potential upcoming changes to transport policy in ASCH would be brought to the Committee when appropriate. The Board was keen to scrutinise areas in Home to School Transport and agreed that a rapid review in the autumn into some specific cost avoidance measures could add value. A scoping board to look at these areas in more detail will be arranged.
Membership of Scoping Board: Cllrs Belsey, Cross, Howell and Pragnell and John Hayling (Parent Governor Representative) |
Further Scoping Board July 2025 |
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Suggested Potential Future Scrutiny Review Topics |
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Suggested Topic |
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Carers Partnership Strategy
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At its 2024 away day the Committee agreed to recommend that a report on the progress of the Carers Partnership Strategy be brought to the Committee and that it may wish to consider this topic for a future scrutiny review. |
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Recruitment of foster carers
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At its 2024 away day the Committee discussed the vital role of foster carers and agreed that exploring ways to improve the recruitment and application process, including seeking best practice in other local authorities, could be a potential topic for a future scrutiny review. |
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Elective Home Education |
The Committee heard at their 2021 work planning awayday that issues relating to the increase in the numbers of children being electively home educated (EHE) remain a concern for the Children’s Services Department and expressed an interest in scrutinising the work the Department is doing in response.
The Committee received additional updates on the local situation, as well as national updates, at their November 2022 and November 2023 meetings, including information at the November 2023 meeting on a DfE Consultation that has opened on revised home education guidance for Local Authorities to provide more clarity about ‘suitable education’ and support to be provided for home educators. In the absence of legislation for a statutory register, the guidance proposes Local Authorities set up a voluntary registration scheme for parents who home educate.
The Committee agreed at the November 2023 meeting to retain this as a potential area for review but will await further information from the DfE consultation. |
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Reference Group Title |
Subject area |
Meeting Dates |
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Children’s Services Reforms |
The Committee agreed at its March 2025 meeting to convert the existing Prevention in Children’s Services Reference Group and the Attendance Reference Group into a single Reference Group focussed on national reforms relating to Children’s Services, with a particular focus on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The Reference Group will consider the impact of these reforms on ESCC and scrutinise the Department’s response to these. The Committee agreed to look at the recruitment of foster carers as part of this work.
Membership of the Reference Group: Cllrs Belsey, Geary and Howell and John Hayling (Parent Governor Representative) |
16 June 2025 |
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CQC Preparation Reference Group |
The Reference Group last met on 17 June 2024 and received a presentation from the Department on findings from the recent LGA Peer Review and the Department’s response to these findings, including the development of an ASCH Departmental Priority Action Plan. The Group welcomed the positive findings from the LGA report, discussed some of the areas for consideration, and agreed to continue to provide scrutiny support to the Department in its preparations for the upcoming CQC assessment.
The next meeting is planned for autumn 2024 and will consider progress on the Departmental Priority Action Plan.
Membership of the Reference Group: Councillors Cross, Geary (Chair), Howell and Webb. |
TBC (depending on CQC report) |
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Health and Social Care Integration Programme (HASCIP) Reference Group
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The Committee agreed to establish a Reference Group to monitor progress of the East Sussex Health and Social Care Integration Programme and identify areas for future scrutiny. It reviews HASCIP progress reports provided to the Health and Wellbeing Board and meets on an ad hoc basis as required to consider issues arising in more detail. The Group last met on 24 June 2024 to consider the Shared Delivery Plan year 2 refresh. The Group welcomed the progress of integrated care in East Sussex and discussed the new governance arrangements, hospital discharge, NHS funding, and the specific are of focus in the SDP on Children and Young People at a pan-Sussex level.
Membership of the group: Councillors Clark, Geary (Chair) Howell and Webb. |
Next meeting: 18 June 2025
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The Committee agreed at its 2022 work planning awayday to establish a Reference Group to consider the impact and implementation of the national Adult Social Care reforms. Implementation of the reforms was subsequently delayed in the 2022 Autumn Statement from October 2023 to October 2025 and the first meeting of the Group will take place closer to implementation.
Membership of the group: Councillor Geary |
TBC pending further developments |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) Board
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RPPR Board meets annually to agree detailed comments and any recommendations on the emerging portfolio plans and spending and savings proposals to be put to Cabinet on behalf of the scrutiny committee. |
Next meeting: December 2025 |
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Subject Area |
Detail |
Proposed Date |
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Title of Training/Briefing |
Detail |
Proposed Date |
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Author |
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14 July 2025
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East Sussex Housing Partnership Strategy |
To inform the Committee of work to develop an East Sussex Housing Partnership Strategy |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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6 month monitoring report on progress with the Review’s recommendations. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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SEND inspection report |
To update the Committee on the outcomes of the recent SEND inspection and the Department’s response. |
Director of Children’s Services |
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information. |
Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR)
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To commence the Committee’s involvement with the RPPR process for 2025/26 financial year by reviewing the information in the Quarter 4 (end of year) (2024/25) Council Monitoring report and the State of the County report. |
Chief Executive |
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22 September 2025
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information. |
Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) |
To continue the Committee’s work on the RPPR process for 2025/26 financial year. |
Chief Executive |
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Safeguarding Adults Board - Annual Report
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The Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Annual Report outlines the safeguarding activity and performance in East Sussex during the previous financial year, as well as some of the main developments in place to prevent abuse from occurring.
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Chair, Safeguarding Adults Board |
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Annual Review of Safer Communities |
To update the Committee on performance in relation to Safer Communities in 2024/25 and the priorities and issues for 2025/26 that will be highlighted in the Partnership Business Plan. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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20 November 2025
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East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership (ESSCP) Annual Report |
Presentation of the annual report of the East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership.
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Independent Chair, East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership |
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Equality and Inclusion in ASCH |
To update the Committee on the progress of the Equality and Inclusion Strategy in ASCH. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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Review of ASCH savings proposals
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At its 2024 away day the Committee agreed to recommend that a report on the impacts of any agreed savings be brought to the Committee in September or November 2025 as part of its Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) item. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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Climate Change Health Impact Assessment |
A report to the Committee on the draft Climate Change Health Impact Assessment report. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information. |
Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) |
To continue the Committee’s work on the RPPR process for 2025/26 financial year. |
Chief Executive |
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12 March 2026
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East Sussex Education Attainment and Performance |
To update the Committee on the education attainment results for the 2023/24 academic year. |
Director of Children’s Services |
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information. |
Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) |
To continue the Committee’s work on the RPPR process for 2025/26 financial year. |
Chief Executive |
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Healthy Ageing Scrutiny Review |
12 month monitoring report on progress with the Review’s recommendations. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |