38.
MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2003 be confirmed.
39.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Interests were no declarations made at this stage.
40.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Written questions were put to the Chairman by Mrs M Swan and Mr M
Swan in relation to SEN and AS levels.
Copies of the questions and replies given are contained in the
Public Question Register.
41.
SPORTS
DEVELOPMENT
The Chairman welcomed a number of stakeholders who
had been invited to provide an input into a review of Sports Development on the
Island. The following representatives were present :- Mr T Blunden, Isle of
Wight Sports and Recreation Council; Mrs G Foster, IW County Netball
Association; Mr D Fothergill, Ryde Lawn Tennis Club; Mr D Killpack, IW Cricket
Academy, Mr G Stroud, IW Athletics Club.
Members considered the report of the Head of
Community Development and Tourism on the progress made on the Sports Development
Action Plan which was contained within the Community Development Best Value
Review submitted to the Select Committee on 21 July 2003. A range of key
achievements involving the Sports Unit were also outlined.
Members were advised that a decision was still
awaited from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on the success of the
Council’s bid to be designated as a Sports Action Zone. The Council had however
been successful in securing grant from the New Opportunities Fund to provide
new playground facilities at primary schools. Final approval was also awaited
for grant aid to provide a multi use games area at both Ventnor Middle School
and Sandown High School. Works had been completed to improve drainage at
Seaclose Park, Newport and additional playing fields at Haylands Farm, Ryde. It
was also intended to resurface the athletics track at the Fairway, Sandown
during the summer of 2004. A range of initiatives that the Unit had been involved in were also
outlined. The Head of Community Development reported on work being done to
establish a new strategic body for Island sport. It was anticipated that this
could be achieved by the summer of 2004.
Stakeholders raised issues relating to the lack of
availability of indoor facilities. Many Sports Centres were fully booked at
peak times on a regular basis. This meant that small clubs, or minority sports,
found it difficult to obtain accommodation for training sessions. The Head of
Community Development referred to the need for Leisure Centres to maximise
income. The dual use of school facilities had been raised previously by the
Select Committee. Whilst it was noted that there were a range of resource
issues to overcome members believed that these had not been fully identified or
costed. Whilst it was also noted that School Governing Bodies were responsible
for the letting of individual school premises the Select Committee considered
that there was a need to debate the subject further.
The pressures on the school curriculum were
mentioned and this made the inclusion of sport a problem. A number of schools
operated after school activities but this relied greatly on the goodwill of
those staff involved. Coaches were welcomed into schools but this often
necessitated the transport of equipment to schools by those involved. The
sustainability of such coaching was another area where there were pressures.
The cost of transport was a major impediment. Whilst
the Council had a grant scheme for talented athletes this was limited to £200
per person. The cross Solent operators did offer special discounted fares to
many of the Island teams competing on the mainland. The stakeholders indicated
that schools had difficulties in the costs of transport for inter school
competitions and training sessions. There were problems with parents being able
to offer transport to children due to child protection issues. Mention was made
of the Youth Mover Plus Leisure Access scheme being trialled by Wight Leisure
in conjunction with Southern Vectis and Island Line. This was aimed at encouraging
greater use of public transport and leisure facilities outside school hours.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT officers investigate the ability to seek a discount for
the use of Wight Bus to transport children to and from school, or training
centres, for specific sporting activities and report back in six months time.
(b) THAT a report be considered in 12 months time on progress
made by the Sports Development Unit on activities and key objectives.
(c) THAT the appreciation of the work undertaken by the Sports
Development Unit be recorded in the minutes.
42.
EDUCATION FINANCE 2004-05
The Select Committee considered the report of the Strategic
Director of Education and Community Development on the schools budget for
2004/05. The Chairman welcomed Mr J Lucas, Chairman of the Schools Forum.
Members were reminded of the funding arrangements approved by the
Council in respect of the current financial year. The Strategic Director explained the changes to the Government’s
funding arrangements for 2004/05 and the effect that this would have on
expenditure on the Schools Block and LEA Block. The major problem area related
to the amount allowed for inflation for LEA central services. This would be
insufficient to maintain the delivery of existing levels of service.
Mr J Lucas referred to the good working relationship between
schools and the LEA. Schools were aware of the complexities of the financial
situation faced by the Council. The Forum was concerned about the Government
funding for central services under the Schools Block and the LEA Block. The
inflation figures allowed, particularly for school transport and mainland SEN
placements, in the settlement would have a serious impact on the ability of the
Council to meet such costs. Mr Lucas advised the Select Committee of the importance
of resources being allocated for a dedicated Health and Safety Officer dealing
with education. On the matter of the Standards Fund the Forum indicated the
need for matched funding to be forthcoming from the Council as this formed an
integral part of service delivery.
Schools, in recognition of the overall funding difficulties faced by the
Council were utilising balances but these were now at a very low level and such
action could not be sustained.
The Select Committee was made aware that the estimated shortfall
in funding was £304,988 for the Schools Block and £362,861 for the LEA Block.
Authorities were expected to passport the increase in the Schools Formula
Spending Share but special permission would be required from the Secretary of
State if the element relating to ‘central services’ was planned to increase at
a greater rate than that delegated to schools.
Members discussed the costs of mainland placements for pupils with
SEN. It was noted that in some instances funding was also provided by Social
Services and or Health. Concern was expressed as to the level of increase being
sought by the mainland facilities and no attempt appeared to be made by these
to contain costs. Due to the range of different type of placements required it
had not been cost effective for the Council to make its own provision on the
Island.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT the
recommendations of the Schools Forum be noted.
(b) THAT the Executive
be recommended to passport the Schools Budget.
(c) THAT
the Executive be recommended to note the shortfall in the ‘central services’
element of the Schools Budget and the shortfall in the LEA Budget and makes
good as much as possible the shortfalls within the context of the overall
Council Budget.
43.
SEN TASK GROUP UPDATE
The Select Committee was advised by Cllr P Joyce, as the Lead
Member, on the range of issues considered by the Task Group in its review of
the SEN statementing process. He
highlighted three issues that required immediate attention. The Select
Committee noted that the Task Group was due to meet immediately following this
meeting and indicated that it should consider these prior to any
recommendations being made. This would also enable appropriate advice to be
obtained as to the procedures involved in the statementing process.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report
be noted.
CHAIRMAN