Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

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

Co-opted (voting) :

Sister Patricia, Mr A C Wood

Apologies :

Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr P D Joyce, Mrs E Oulton, Mrs J L Wareham

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr A C Bartlett

25. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2003 be confirmed.

26. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations at this stage.

27. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF SEPTEMBER 2003

The Select Committee considered the joint report of the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development and the Chief Financial Officer relating to the revenue budget position for services within its remit.

With regard to expenditure on education services there were variations from certain targets on special educational needs but it was anticipated that the overall costs of provision would be contained within budget. Members were advised that Home to School Transport costs were likely to increase due to pay awards for drivers employed by both Wightbus and Southern Vectis.

The Strategic Director highlighted recruitment difficulties being experienced for the post of Speech Therapist, despite an extensive recruitment campaign. Similar problems had been encountered by the Health Authority when trying to fill such positions. He also advised that officers were actively investigating the option of a residential facility for SEN on the Island which would obviate the need for a large number of mainland placements. It could also provide an income if spaces were taken up by mainland authorities.

The Select Committee discussed the budget impact of School Premature Retirement cases. The process involved in considering cases was outlined. The Strategic Director was requested to supply further information on this matter. In addition he was requested to provide details of the Provision of Milk Schools.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development supply details relating to the School Premature Retirement Scheme and Provision of Milk Schools to members of the Select Committee.

(ii) THAT the revenue budget monitoring report be accepted.

28. ISLE OF WIGHT YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE POST BEST VALUE REVIEW

Members considered the report of the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development on the progress made in achieving the targets arising from the Best Value Review approved by the Select Committee January 2003.

There were three priority areas, which had also been identified in the Education and Community Development Plan for 2004/05, which would be dependent upon the availability of appropriate funding. The areas related to Youth Empowerment Work, Significant Part Time Worker Posts and One Stop Shop.

The recent elections to the Isle of Wight Youth Council were noted and Members considered that it was necessary to build on this. The Select Committee debated the possibility of seeking commercial sponsorship for aspects of Youth Work. It was noted however, that companies tended to fund national initiatives rather than those being developed locally.

The Select Committee was reminded that it had originally been intended to establish a Members Task Group to review the Improvement Plan. The need for such a Task Group was debated.

Consideration was given to the resource bids which would be made for funding the 3 priority areas totalling £109,000. The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support referred to the work being undertaken with the Corporate Headroom exercise which had to be taken into account before any firm commitment could be made on revenue funding for 2004/05.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Chairman of the Children’s and Young Person’s Committee form part of the Task Group to review the Best Value Improvement Plan.

(ii) THAT the significant achievements, in attaining targets contained in the Best Value Improvement Plan, be noted with pleasure.

(iii) THAT the attainment of the three priorities for 2004/05, (Youth Empowerment Work - £40,000; Significant Part Time Youth Worker Posts - £54,000; One Stop Shop - £15,000) be recommended subject to the finalisation of the budget process for 2004/05.

29. DEVELOPMENT OF IW CONNEXIONS (JANUARY 2003 – OCTOBER 2003)

The IW Manager of Connexions, Mrs A Hendon-John, reported on developments involving Connexions since she attended the Select Committee meeting in January 2003.

The Select Committee was reminded of the background to the service provided by Connexions. Targets were identified in a business plan prepared by South Central Connexions Partnership Board. The Isle of Wight Local Management Committee oversaw the delivery of services. There was a vacancy for a second council member on the Management Committee and it was noted that this would be filled in accordance with the normal Council procedures.

The range of strategic and other developments being undertaken in 2003 were outlined. Members sought clarification of the role of Connexions with the Career Service and advice within schools. It was noted that this was currently achieved through contract arrangements with VT Careers Southern. A review was currently being undertaken on service delivery. The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development referred to proposed tendering arrangements in Spring 2004 relating to specialist support in careers. The role of personal advisors in schools, who provided careers guidance, was explained and this would extend into middle schools.

The Training Programme provided by Connexions was arranged in consultation with staff at Thompson House to avoid any duplication. The involvement of Connexions in crime and disorder issues was raised. It was noted that the results of a survey of young people on this topic had been completed. This would be of particular value to the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee in its future scrutiny item on crime and disorder.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

30. SERVICE PLANS

(a) Community Development

Members considered the Service Plan, circulated after the preparation of the agenda, relating to Community Development. The Head of Community Development and Tourism indicated that the Community Development Best Value Review and the Cultural Strategy had formed the basis of the Plan.

The Select Committee discussed the details contained in the Key Performance Measures and Targets. Some concerns were expressed as to the lack of benchmark figures and an explanation of why there were discrepancies in some of the targets.

The Head of Community Development and Tourism gave further background information on the revenue bids for 2004/05. Members discussed the urgent need for improved facilities for the County Record Office. It was intended to seek revenue funding to enable a feasibility study to be undertaken on future requirements and options available. This would assist in any bid for grant aid to the Heritage and Lottery Fund.

The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support explained the role of Select Committees in the Service Plan and budget process. The format of Service Plans had been amended and the effectiveness of these were to be reviewed by the Performance Management Task Group.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Service Plan for Community Development be noted.

(b) Educational Effectiveness and Lifelong Learning

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development indicated that it was likely that the Service Plan would require some amendment in the light of confirmed data on school performance and the outcome of the two OFSTED inspections.

Members were made aware that many of the resource bids related to delivery of statutory services such as SEN rather than areas where there was no legal requirement as in the case of the Youth Service.

The Select Committee was advised that the Council was experiencing difficulties in achieving the target specified in the relevant Best Value Performance Indicator relating to the drafting of SEN Statements where comments of other agencies had to be included. The Strategic Director indicated that whilst there was a requirement on the Local Education Authority to draft statements within 18 weeks there was no similar requirement upon the other agencies to supply the relevant information within that timescale.

Members also sought clarification of the provision of English as an Additional Language and the increasing demands being placed on the Council for this facility.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Service Plan be noted.

The Head of Planning and Resources referred to the revenue bids element of the Service Plan and in particular the schools budget element amounting to £1.8m. There was still a lack of clarity over the Government’s intention on the likely grant settlement for education. The review of Teachers Pay would also impact on this. The Council would have to advise the Secretary of State for Education on its spending plans on education before 31 December 2003. It was anticipated that there would be a shortfall between the actual funding received, the expected level of funding by the Government and the funding considered necessary by the Council.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Service Plan be noted.

31. UPDATE ON THE WORK OF THE SCHOOLS FORUM

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development reminded the Select Committee that it had requested a regular update on the work of the Schools Forum. The range of issues discussed by the Forum were outlined. It would have a major role in debating the schools funding formula and scheme of delegation. The Forum would be making recommendations to the Council regarding the budget settlement.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Chairman of the Schools Forum be invited to attend the Select Committee meeting when the 2004/05 schools budget is considered.

32. THE ISLE OF WIGHT ADMISSIONS FORUM – UPDATE

The Select Committee was advised of the arrangements made to co-ordinate admission arrangements on the Island in accordance with the Education Act 2002.

The admissions timetable for September 2004 had been brought forward to trial arrangements that were required to be fully implemented for the following year. A co-ordinated admission scheme for September 2005 had been agreed between the Council, the Church of England and Catholic Dioceses and approved by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.

RESOLVED :

THAT the role and work undertaken by the Admissions Forum be noted.

CHAIRMAN