MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM


Present :

 

Mr J F Howe (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr C R Hancock, Mr A J Mellor, Mr V J Morey, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards


Co-opted (voting) :

 

Sister Patricia


Portfolio Holder :

 

Mrs J L Wareham


Apologies :

 

Archdeacon M V Banting, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr P D Joyce, Ms M Wilson


Also present (non-voting)

 

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr D G Williams






47.      MINUTES


RESOLVED :

 

THAT subject to an amendment being made to minute 41, last paragraph, 3rd sentence, 4th line to read :

 

Members then debated the options for Service reductions which could involve the closure of five libraries.

 

and 6th sentence, 9th line to read :

 

Some members of the Select Committee believed that there was scope for the integration of libraries into other community facilities, including schools.

 

the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2003 be confirmed.

 

48.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST


There were no declarations made at this stage.

 

49.      ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT SOCIAL INCLUSION STRATEGY AND OPTIONS FOR DEVELOPING THE INITIATIVE


The Select Committee gave consideration to the report of the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development on the progress being made on the Social Inclusion Strategy 2002 - 2005. This had been adopted by the Council on 10 December 2001 and involved partnership working with the Health Authority, Primary Care Trust, Isle of Wight Partnership, Crime and Disorder Partnership and the Rural Community Council. The Select Committee had indicated that it would want to review the strategy on an annual basis. Members were made aware of the outputs since last considering the Strategy. It was noted that difficulties had been experienced in obtaining consistent delivery and monitoring of outputs due to differing agencies and departments involved.


The Strategic Director referred to Social Inclusion not just being a Council owned, and driven, strategy. It was necessary for all the partners involved to work to together in a focussed manner. The Strategy itself had been well received in the recent CPA process but it was necessary to build on this to ensure a more effective monitoring and review process. Members were made aware that the Directors Group would be considering the future responsibility for Social Inclusion within the Council to assist in performance management. The role of the Local Strategic Partnership in taking over the co-ordination of the delivery of the actions required was discussed. The Partnership could assist in the establishment of a Working Group comprising representatives of the different agencies involved. This Working Group would then be responsible for regular monitoring of the actions taken to implement the Strategy.


Members debated the wide ranging issues contained in the Strategy and whether the Select Committee was in the best position to monitor delivery. It was believed that the current arrangements should continue. If after the next review there was a need to review the involvement of the Select Committee on this cross cutting issue then the matter could be referred to the Co-ordinating Committee.


RESOLVED :

 

           (a)       THAT the Directors Group consider the issue of where the responsibility for Social Inclusion was within the Council’s process of performance management and within the Corporate Action Plan.

 

           (b)       THAT the Local Strategic Partnership be given the task of co-ordinating action required under the Strategy.

 

           (c)       THAT the Local Strategic Partnership establish a Working Group of key stakeholders to undertake the monitoring and review of actions taken.

 

           (d)       THAT a report be submitted to the Select Committee in six months time on the progress with delivering the action required by Social Inclusion Strategy.

 

50.      KEY STAGE 4 PERFORMANCE TABLES


The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development reported on the performance of Island schools in respect of Key Stage 4 DfES Performance tables. Information on authorised and unauthorised absence together with a value added measure was also included in the details submitted to the Select Committee.


Comparisons with the LEA and England Average were indicated, where these had been released. The final publication of the national data on post 16 courses was not expected until April 2003.


In discussing the Island GCSE/GNVQ Results members were made aware by the Strategic Director of the impact that absence. Whether authorised or unauthorised, had on pupil achievement. If a pupils attendance was below 90% this caused a drop in the ability to achieve the target of 5 A* - C GCSE’s. Work was taking place in school clusters to highlight families where a number of siblings had recorded absences. Staff in high schools were also contacting parents on the first day of a pupils unauthorised absence. The Council would continue to be involved in truancy sweeps with the Police. Members also noted the high percentage of pupils with SEN in high schools.


The targets for GCSE/GNVQ results contained in the Education Development Plan were not being met but there was a small improvement over the previous year.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Key Stage 4 Performance Tables be noted.

 

51.      

MEMBERS QUESTION TIME


Mr C Hancock asked a question in relation to the use of Council minibuses by other users.


Mrs B Clough asked a question in relation to additional details being included in future budget proposals.


The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development responded to both questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN