MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SLECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM


Present :

 

Mr J F Howe (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr C R Hancock, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards


Co-opted (voting) :

 

Sister Patricia


Portfolio Holder :

 

Mrs J L Wareham


Apologies :

 

Archdeacon M Banting, Mr C B W Chapman, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr V J Morey, Mr N Mitchell, Ms M Wilson


Also present :

 

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr R G Mazillius






25.      MINUTES


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2002 be confirmed.

 

26.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST


There were no declarations made at this stage.

 

26.      BUDGET MONITORING REPORT


The Select Committee considered the report of the Director of Finance and Information outlining the revenue and capital expenditure for the previous quarter year expiring on 27 September 2002. Members noted that the revenue expenditure spending for education was generally in line with that forecasted. The exceptions to this was mainly as the result of staff vacancies or where appropriate grants or invoices had not been fully processed. Officers clarified a number of issues relating to the Standards Fund. With regard to school meals the Strategic Director of Education indicated that he would supply details to all members of the Select Committee on the number of free school meals provided in Island schools. Additionally information would be supplied about the phasing of expenditure on support for pupils with communication disorders including autism.


The Select Committee discussed delegated schools expenditure and noted the variance in spending as a total of the relevant sector’s budget. This was the result of schools using balances. Schools were encouraged to spend up to budget but it was accepted that there were occasions when there was a need to retain balances so that larger projects could be funded in the following academic year


On Community Development matters the variances in revenue expenditure for libraries and Ventnor Botanic Garden was explained.


In considering capital expenditure members requested that future reports include an indication as to completion dates for schemes.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the budget monitoring report be noted.

 

27.      SPORTS ACTION ZONE TASK GROUP


The Chairman of the Sports Action Zone Task Group reminded the Select Committee that the Council had submitted a Stage 1 bid to Sport England, on 3 July 2002, to become a Sport Action Zone. Nine applications had been submitted from the South East region and the Island had been successful to progress onto the second bidding stage. A bid from Hastings and a South East combined bid was also to be submitted. It was anticipated that two of the three bids would finally be accepted.


The Task Group, together with local Sports Partnerships will be involved in compiling the necessary details required for the Stage 2 bid which had to be submitted by 20 November 2002. A decision was expected to be announced by Sport England at the end of January 2003.


In outlining some of the details involved in acquiring a Sports Action Zone status the Sports Development Officer indicated that this would also include alternative sports.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the position be noted.

 

28.      LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEK


The Chairman stated that as part of Local Democracy Week an invitation had been extended to student representatives from the High Schools to attend the Select Committee. This was to enable the students to highlight the areas that concerned them in relation to the functions contained within its remit. The Chairman welcomed Will Davies and Gemma Vale from Sandown High School, Rachel Best and Stuart Snow from Medina High School, Gemma Packer and Ryan Long from Ryde High School, Leo Kelly and Helen Davis from Cowes High School and Ned Tutton and Caroline Legg from Carisbrooke High School.


The following issues were raised and discussed :-

 

           •          Lack of books for project work in school and local libraries.

 

           •          Availability of IT facilities for 6th Form students not consistent throughout High Schools. Also need to access IT facilities outside normal school hours.

 

           •          Expansion of further education facilities on the Island not only to retain young people but to attract others in.

 

           •          Examinations were not getting easier but teaching methods on how to answer questions posed in examinations has improved.

 

           •          Need to look at ways of achieving a balance between academic and sporting activities.

 

           •          Advantages and disadvantages associated with six term year. Students not fully aware of all the details behind the proposal.

 

           •          Concern as to the lack of progress with Southern Vectis in achieving reduced fares for students aged 14 -16 years.

 

           •          Students did not share the same perception as other age groups about problems of crime and disorder. They queried the need for Police to be in schools and believed that schools should be responsible for addressing issues of bad behaviour by pupils.

 

           •          Disruptive pupils should be kept separate on school sites . The exclusion process adopted by Medina High School appeared to be successful and a more consistent approach to disruptive behaviour should be taken across the High Schools.

 

           •          There was a need for improved communication between the Council, regarding the services it provided, and all young people on the Island.


The Chairman thanked the students for their active participation in the meeting. The Committee discussed how it could assist the students in establishing a mechanism for better communications between them and the Council. The possibility of creating a sixth form student council was raised. This could also include a representative from the College.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Council offer to facilitate the establishment of a sixth form student Council.

 

39       APPOINTMENT TO AN OUTSIDE BODY


The Select Committee was advised of a vacancy on the Milne Memorial Sports Ground Company Limited. Details had been circulated to all members of the Council but no nomination had been forthcoming. It was possible for a relevant officer to be nominated.


The location of the Sports Ground was discussed and the local member for Cowes Medina indicated that if it proved to be in his electoral division then he would put his name forward.


RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE

 

THAT if the Sports Ground is within the electoral division of Cowes Medina then Mr K Pearson be nominated to the Milne Memorial Sports Ground Company Limited but if this is not the case then Mr Lee Matthews, Sports Development Officer be nominated.

 

40       EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PLAN TASK GROUP


The Select Committee received the notes of a meeting of the Education Development Plan Task Group, held on 4 September 2002. The next meeting was due to be held on 14 January 2003.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the matter be noted.

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN