PAPER C

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

To advise the Select Committee on the position regarding reviewing the dual use of school premises.

BACKGROUND

The Select Committee considered a report from the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development on 1 November 2002 relating to Community Use of School Facilities. Arising from the debate, which involved representatives of several organisations utilising school premises for a range of activities, the Select Committee agreed :-

           (a)       THAT the Council continue to encourage and support schools to utilise their facilities for community use:

           (b)       THAT an additional section is produced for the Scheme of Financial Management to meet the community facilities power as detailed in the 2002 Education Act;

           (c)       THAT the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development draft a Protocol on the community use of school facilities, in conjunction with key stakeholders, and submit this for consideration to a future meeting of the Select Committee.

At the Select Committee’s development day in March 2003 it was agreed to include an item on the agenda for this meeting to review arrangements.

I have been advised by the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development that in the light of initiatives contained within the Green Paper - “Every Child Matters”, it would be inappropriate to amend any existing arrangements at this stage. The Green Paper contains the following statement under “Integrating services through extended schools and cluster of schools” :-

           2.20    The Government wants to integrate education, health, and social care services around the needs of children. To achieve this, we want all schools to become extended schools - acting as the hub for services for children, families and other members of the community. Extended schools offer the community and their pupils a range of services (such as childcare, adult learning, health and community facilities) that go beyond their core educational function.

           2.21    The Government is also creating a network of full service extended schools, with at least one in every LEA in England by 2006. Each full service school will offer a core of childcare, study support, family and lifelong learning, health and social care, parenting support, sports and arts facilities, and access to Information Technology. By 2006, all LEAs will also be funded to employ school based managers or LEA co-ordinators to develop more services for children and to be provided in school buildings.

It will be necessary for the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development to await the results of the Government’s response to comments received as the result of the consultation process on the Green Paper before looking at any service development.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The community use of school facilities would fit in with the strategic objectives, contained in the Corporate Plan, of :-

           (a)       raising education standards and promoting lifelong learning; and

           (b)       improving health, housing and the quality of life for all.

The Sports Development Improvement Plan, as contained within the Community Development Best Value Review, refers to use of school facilities. There will be a report on progress with the Improvement Plan at the next meeting of the Select Committee.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Green Paper is already the subject of a Government consultation exercise.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

It is not possible to identify any at this stage.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

None.

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Green Paper - Every Child Matters.

Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee agenda and minutes for the meeting on 1 November 2002.

Corporate Plan 2002-2005

Community Development Best Value Review

Contact Point : Paul Thistlewood, ☎ 823285 e-mail [email protected]

ALISTAIR DRAIN

Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support