MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mrs J L Wareham (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mrs B E Foster, Mr C M Gaunlett, Mr C R Hancock, Mr P D Joyce, Mr R G Mazillius (deputising for Mr G S Kendall), Mr A J Mellor, Mr R C Richards, Mr I R Stephens (deputising for Mr J F Howe)

Co-opted :

Archdeacon M Banting, Mr N Mitchell, Sister Patricia, Ms M Wilson

Spokesperson :

Mr P G Harris

Also Present (Non-Voting) :

Mrs M J Lloyd, Mrs M Miller

Apologies :

Mr C B W Chapman, Mr J F Howe, Mr G S Kendall

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 4 May 2001 be confirmed.

2. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

A question was put to the Chairman by Mr R J Snow of 33 Zig Zag Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight in relation to the establishment of a School Admissions Forum (PQ18/01).

A copy of the question and the reply is contained in the Public Question Register.

3. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

(a) Review of Discretionary Transport Policies

(During the course of the debate Mr R G Mazillius declared a non pecuniary interest in the East Cowes to Cowes High School item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)

The Director referred to a review undertaken by the Select Committee, at its meeting on 11 October 2000, on the Council's home to school transport policies. This had followed a Best Value pilot study. Arising from this was the need to review the continued provision of bus services for pupils living in East Cowes and attending Cowes High School and also for those pupils from the Cowes area attending Holy Cross RC primary School in East Cowes. The background to the existing provision in both cases was outlined and consultations with all relevant interested parties had been undertaken.

The local members for East Cowes spoke on the situation affecting pupils from their areas attending Cowes High School. The Headteacher for the High School explained the difficulties that could be created for the pupils involved if the bus service was withdrawn. The Chairman also read out two letters from concerned parents on this matter.

The Select Committee discussed whether there could be any savings in the �55,000 that the East Cowes to Cowes High School service costed. The status of the floating bridge was raised but this would not become a major issue if the bus service remained.

With regard to the bus service to Holy Cross RC Primary School the Select Committee was addressed by the Chair of Governors on the implications for the pupils and school if the bus service was removed. The Select Committee noted that withdrawal of the bus service on this route would result in an annual saving of �7,000.

In discussing the issues involved Members believed that the availability of funding from sources such as the Countryside Agency should be investigated. It was accepted that the Best Value study had correctly highlighted these two areas. The Committee considered however that in both cases there was a need to continue with the transport provision.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT no change be made to the discretionary transport policy in respect of pupils from East Cowes attending Cowes High School.

(ii) THAT no change be made to the discretionary transport policy in respect of pupils from Cowes attending Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, East Cowes.

(b) Admission Arrangements for Community and Controlled Schools

The Director reported on the urgent need for the Council to review admission arrangements for Community and Controlled Schools. This was due to a critical report from the Local Government Ombudsman on the current arrangements. It was therefore intended to introduce the new policy for admissions in September 2002 and these would have to be published early in November 2001.

The Select Committee was advised of the background to the current arrangements, which was based on entitlement areas. The Director indicated that 98% of parents received their first choice of schools on the Island compared with the national average of 85%. It was likely that with the changes required the figure for the Island could reduce.

Members considered each amendment and the relevant implications for the Council. The revised policy could result in some increased costs in the home to school transport budget. Some concern was expressed by Members as to the possibility of pupils having to travel longer distances to attend schools if parents had not expressed a preference by the published date.

Consultations were being undertaken with the Church Aided Schools on the implications for their admission arrangements.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the following amendments to the Council's school admissions and transport policies :

(a) Entitlement Areas

(i) School Entitlement Areas be redesignated 'School Priority Areas' with effect from 1 January 2002.

(ii) The new Priority Areas to be geographically the same as existing entitlement areas.

(iii) Existing Options Zones be retained.

(b) Guarantee of Entitlement

The guarantee of places of entitlement area pupils and out of area siblings be removed for admissions to community and controlled schools with effect from 1 January 2002.

(c) Oversubscription Criteria (in priority order)

(i) pupils with special educational needs who have a school named in their statement.

(ii) looked after children.

(iii) pupils with a specific medical condition, confirmed by a Consultant Paediatrician or similar, which the LEA is satisfied makes attendance at the particular school essential.

(iv) pupils living within the school's 'PRIORITY' area or 'OPTION ZONE' who at the time of entrance to the school have elder brothers or sisters already at the school. Pupils who live in the two middle Option Zones will not have a named priority area school. By placing them within the same criteria as 'PRIORITY' area children, they will have the same rights, in admissions terms, as those pupils.

(v) other pupils residing within the school's 'PRIORITY' area or 'OPTION ZONE'. Pupils who live in the two middle Option Zones will not have a named priority area school. By placing them within the same criteria as 'PRIORITY' area children, they will have the same rights, in admissions terms, as those pupils.

(vi) pupils living outside the school's 'PRIORITY' area who at the time of entrance to the school have elder brothers or sisters already at the school.

(vii) pupils living outside the 'PRIORITY' area of the school whose parents request admission on religious grounds (Controlled schools only).

(viii) other pupils residing outside the school's 'PRIORITY' area.

(d) Over-subscription Criteria - determining priority of applicants

Priority within the over-subscription criteria in (c) above be determined by measuring, in a straight line, the distance from the pupils home address to the school in question.

(e) Waiting Lists

(i) a waiting list for unsuccessful applicants at a school be established.

(ii) the position of a child on a waiting list be determined according to the over-subscription criteria set out in (c) above and that no date priority be given to the date the application form is received (as recommended in the DFES Code of Practice on Admissions) Parental First preferences to take priority over second preferences.

(f) Home to School Transport

With effect from 1 January 2002

(i) the LEA's home to school transport policy remains unchanged if existing school entitlement areas are redesignated school Priority areas.

(ii) the concession given to pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11 at High Schools remain unchanged.

(iii) if parents are unable to secure a place at their Priority area school, they receive free transport, in the form of a bus pass, to the nearest alternative school where the LEA is able to offer a place, as long as it is at least two miles from the child's home address in case of a primary school and three miles in the case of a middle or high school.

4. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES

(a) Review of Outside Bodies

The Director reported on the process involving Select Committees with regard to the appointment of outside bodies. Members were advised on nominations that had been received since the preparation of the report. The Town and Parish Councils would be advised of any vacancies. Members indicated that they would like to receive further details regarding each organisation.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the following appointments to outside bodies :

(b) Election of Parent Governor Representatives

The Director advised that six nominations had been received for the two vacancies of Parent Governor representatives on the Select Committee. A postal ballot had been held and from this Mr Neil Mitchell and Ms Marion Wilson had been duly elected.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

5. EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE WORKPLAN

The Head of Select Committee Support referred to the Committee's Away Day in July 2001 when a number of issues were highlighted as work priorities. These had now been programmed into a workplan.

In discussing the workplan for meetings of the Committee between September 2001 and March 2002 a number of amendments were suggested. There was a need for a Working Party to deal with libraries and terms of reference for this were outlined. With regard to the Best Value Review on Services for Children with Special Needs the involvement of the Children's Committee was raised. It was considered that the Review should go separately in the first instance to both this Select Committee and the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee.

It was possible to deal with a number of issues by way of either a formal Working Party or Task Group, with the latter dealing with non controversial items.

Officers identified that the completion of a Cultural Strategy was a cross cutting issue and would need to be discussed by the Select Committee Liaison Group as to a way forward.

The Chairman raised the starting time of meetings of the Select Committee and whether an earlier start would be convenient to members.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT the draft workplan be approved subject to the following changes :

(i) Education Development Plan 2002-2005, Sports Action Zones and Adult Learning Plan being dealt with initially by the establishment of Task Groups.

(ii) Cultural Strategy being referred to the Select Committee Liaison Group as a cross cutting issue.

(b) THAT a Libraries Working Party be established with the following terms of reference :

(i) To monitor delivery of the Annual Library Plan.

(ii) To review the implications of new National Public Library Standards for the Isle of Wight Library Service.

(iii) To visit Island libraries and consult with Stakeholders.

(c) THAT future meetings of the Select Committee commence at 9.30 am.

CHAIRMAN