MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 12 AUGUST 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM


Present :

 

Mr J F Howe (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mr J H Fleming (deputising for Mr G S Kendall), Mr C R Hancock, Mr P D Joyce, Mr A J Mellor, Mr V J Morey, Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards


Co-opted (voting) :

 

Archdeacon M Banting


Portfolio Holder :

 

Mrs J L Wareham


Also Present :

 

Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr I R Stephens


Apologies :

 

Mr G S Kendall, Ms M Wilson






12.      MINUTES


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2002 be confirmed.

 

13.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST


There were no declarations made at this stage.

 

14.      REPORT OF THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

 

           (a)       Shanklin and Ryde Theatres

 

The Select Committee was reminded that the contracts for the management of Ryde and Shanklin Theatres expired in December 2003. It was necessary to give consideration as to the range of options that were available to the Council with regard to these two Council facilities.

 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Malcolm Bennet who was the person responsible for the management and operation of Ryde Theatre. Unfortunately Mr David Redstone, who occupied a similar capacity at Shanklin Theatre, was unable to attend though he had passed on comments to the Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support.

 

Mr Bennet indicated that he received a subsidy of £59,400 per annum under the terms of the existing contract. He explained the range of activities that were undertaken at the Ryde Theatre and the development of community based events. The capacity of the Theatre was approximately 462 but attendances depended upon the type of event or show. In addition the Theatre had assisted with the establishment of a Ryde Rep Company, was involved with the annual Ryde Festival, helped local playwrites and had links with Ryde High School. Since March 2002 a total of 16,462 people had attended performances. Mr Bennet also gave an outline of the promotion of events. He highlighted that there were no signs showing the location of the Theatre although these had been requested for a number of years. Mr Bennet also raised concern as to the difficulties being created due to leaks in the roof.

 

The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support then gave an outline of Mr Redstone’s views regarding Shanklin Theatre. The Theatre employed between 10 - 15 full time employees during the season and 6 - 8 all the year round. It was necessary to look at new markets and Mr Redstone had facilitated the operation of an educational stage school and workshops. The Theatre had also established a language based theatre workshop bringing students from France.

 

Members were circulated with a condition survey prepared by Property Services for both Theatres. This gave a five year breakdown of maintenance works and priority rating. It was noted that Ryde Town Hall, in which the Theatre was located, was a grade two listed building.

 

The Head of Community Development and Tourism referred to financial support given to the Quay Arts Centre, Medina Theatre and Ventnor Winter Gardens. Work was currently being undertaken on the Community Development Best Value Review and the Cultural Strategy and some elements included within this would assist in developing a policy for the future of Theatre provision on the Island.

 

To assist in the formulation of proposals the Select Committee believed that it would be beneficial to establish a Task Group. This would enable visits to be made to relevant sites and consideration of all relevant information which could then be reported back to the Committee to enable appropriate recommendations to be made to the Executive by the end of March 2003.

 

RESOLVED :

 

                      (i)        THAT a Theatres Task Group be established to undertake detailed consideration of theatre provision on the Island and in particular the management contract in respect of Ryde and Shanklin Theatres.

 

                      (ii)       THAT officers investigate the provision of appropriate signage to Ryde Theatre and urgent repairs to its roof.

 

           (b)       Annual Library Plan 2002-05

 

The Council was required to submit its Annual Library Plan to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport by 30th September 2002. The previous three Plans submitted have been rated as satisfactory. There was a need to ensure that the Action Plan included in the document was achievable and that progress towards the targets set in the Public Library Standards were taken into account.

 

The two areas where the Council was not meeting the Standards related to new purchases and replenishment. The other Standards were met and in some instances were greatly exceeded. The Portfolio Holder indicated that she would be considering options for compliance with all the Standards. The Community Development Best Value Review contained an element on the Library Service and would assist in ascertaining service delivery.

 

Members discussed a number of elements relating to library services, particularly the new vehicles for mobile provision. An opportunity would be afforded to members in the near future to view these.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the key elements of the Annual Library Plan for 2002-05 be noted.

 

15.      TRANSPORT TO AND FROM SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN IN PUBLIC CARE - (AMENDMENT TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOME TO SCHOOL AND SPECIALLY PROVIDED TRANSPORT)


The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development reminded members of the Council’s responsibilities relating to Corporate Parenting and Children in Public Care. He reported on proposals, discussed with the Social Services Directorate, to share home to school transport costs for those children in the public care system so to enable them to continue attendance at a school even if they have moved to another area on the Island. This amendment would only involve bus passes valid for school term time.


It was intended to commence these arrangements at the start of the 2002/03 academic year. There were 12 children who would be eligible from the 175 looked after children on the Island. The scheme would cost £4,560.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the amendment to arrangements for home to school transport and specially provided transport be recommended for approval by the Executive.

 

16.      SELECT COMMITTEE WORKPLAN


Members considered the workplan which had been drafted by the Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support following the Select Committee’s two awaydays. It was intended to hold a meeting of the Select Committee on 29 August 2002 so that consideration can be given to Service Plans and Performance Indicators. It was intended to stage two meetings at a relevant outside venue. Consideration was also given to the membership of the Cultural Strategy and Education Development Plan Task Groups.


The Select Committee discussed the benefits of briefing sessions whereby officers could update members on specific issues and new developments in an informal environment.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the workplan be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN