MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 21 JULY 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 P D Joyce, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr V J Morey, Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards
Co-opted (Voting) :
Sister Patricia
Portfolio Holder :
Mrs J L Wareham
Apologies :
Mr A J Mellor, Archdeacon M Banting
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J H Fleming, Mrs M A Jarman
15. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2003 be confirmed.
16. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr M Swan asked a question in relation to appeals against LEA decisions registered with the SEN Disability Tribunal (PQ31/03).
Mrs M Swan asked a question in relation to separate appeals received by the SEN Disability Tribunal (PQ32/03).
A copy of the questions and replies given are contained in the Public Question Register.
17. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF JUNE 2003 AND OUTTURN REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2003
The Select Committee considered the joint report of the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development and the Chief Financial Officer. This contained details on the revenue expenditure and income for the 2002/03 financial year up to 30 June 2003 together with the actual outturn for 2002/03.
Members were advised of the different spending characteristics for both Education and Community Development expenditure.
Expenditure on education up to the end of June 2003 was in line with that forecast apart from savings arising from staff vacancies. In respect of Community Development the grant of £422,000 for the Peoples Network was still outstanding, thereby affecting income for the library service.
The outturn income and expenditure for 2002/03 on education highlighted a tendency towards underspending in the majority of areas. The SEN budget, although within that estimated, involved a divergence from previous spending patterns. The Select Committee was made aware of the expanded service offered through WISE at Forest Road, Newport.
Members noted that overall Community Development was within its budget for 2002/03 but this involved savings on Parks and Gardens/Beaches offsetting additional costs elsewhere in the service.
Members then debated the funding situation facing education nationally and the possible effects locally. Whilst there was the possibility of additional Government money being made available over the next two years based on the previous Standards Fund the formula for distribution was not yet known. Additionally the timescales whereby the Council would have to agree to expenditure levels on education were to be brought forward and this could impact on the overall council budget process. The Strategic Director reported that schools on the Island were generally spending to budget but High Schools were encountering difficulties arising from revised funding arrangements through the Learning and Skills Council.
The Select Committee noted difficulties being experienced by the Health Authority in recruiting speech therapists. The Council was now proposing to undertake a recruitment process itself.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT the revenue budget as at end of June 2003 be accepted.
(b) THAT the outturn budget for 2002/03 be accepted.
18. DEVELOPMENT PLAN - SERVICES AND PROVISION FOR PUPILS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
The Strategic Director for Education and Community Development reported on the progress made in accordance with the SEN Development Plan. Members were reminded that the Plan was considered by the Select Committee in September 2001 prior to approval by the Executive on 16 October 2001.
Members discussed the various activities that were to be undertaken as part of the Development Plan. It was noted that the Autistic Spectrum Resource Centre at Carisbrooke High School may be slightly delayed in opening fully due to the need to undertake works to the sewage system. The re-organisation of Medina House and Watergate was on track and operate from September 2003. Staffing would be in place for both establishments which would cater for 160 pupils at St Georges (renamed from Watergate) as the secondary school and 60 at Medina House as a primary school.
The Strategic Director explained the reasons why two activities had not been achieved. He indicated that there was still a need to identify suitable premises for the relocation of the WISE workshop facilities.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT all efforts be made to relocate WISE to a suitable site at an early date.
(b) THAT the progress made to date with the SEN Development Plan be noted and a review of activities be undertaken in 12 months time.
19. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BEST VALUE REVIEW
The Head of Community Development and Tourism gave a presentation outlining the work undertaken in connection with the Best Value Review of Community Development. The review covered the 8 different sections forming the service.
There had been a delay in completing the review due to work associated with the proposed externalisation of Wight Leisure and shortage of management time to undertake the tasks involved in the review process. A consultant had therefore been appointed to assist and provide some views on internal and external workings of the service.
The processes utilised in completing the review involved public consultation and stakeholder participation. Members noted that there were delays in restructuring the Community Development Service due to a number of unresolved issues. The review also included Parks and Beaches which although not within the remit of the Select Committee was part of the Community Development Service.
Individual improvement plans had been drawn up for Libraries, Museums, Records, Music Service, Arts, Parks and Beaches, Ventnor Botanic Garden and Sports Development. These contained proposed actions, priorities, target dates, capital and revenue implications and how outcomes would be measured.
Members welcomed the review which highlighted the strengths of the range of services provided and the importance not only to Island residents but to tourism. There was a need to ensure that the Improvement Plans were presented in a consistent format and all pages numbered. Some actions did not have target dates and others needed refinement. The Chairman indicated that the Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support had drafted a schedule of target dates for each service. This would assist the Select Committee in monitoring progress on the proposed actions.
The Select Committee sought information relating to income generation arising from the acquisition of the Rowlandson Watercolour Collection. It had been anticipated that income could be generated from the sale of prints, postcards and other associated products. Members were advised that difficulties had been encountered in the appointment of a publishing agent able to take on the work as a complete package. The option of splitting the work between a number of agents was now being pursued.
With regard to the Record Office the Portfolio Holder advised the Select Committee that the Executive, at its meeting on 27 August 2003, would be considering work required to meet the requirements of the National Archive Office.
Members then discussed the use of consultants to complete the Review and the associated costs. The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development referred to the lack of capacity within his Directorate to undertake certain activities. It had therefore been necessary to utilise a consultant who was also engaged on other work for the Authority. The costs involved would be supplied to the Select Committee.
The Head of Community Development and Tourism Services referred to the Cultural Strategy which was being prepared. This linked in with the Best Value Review and would be presented to the Select Committee for comment.
The actions contained within the Improvement Plan for completion in 2003/04 were already budgeted for. The actions proposed for later years would be subject to appropriate funding being made available.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the Best Value Review and Improvement Plan for Community Development be recommended for adoption by the Executive.
(ii) THAT monitoring of the targets and outcomes be undertaken at appropriate times by the Select Committee and include the attendance of relevant stakeholders.
(iii) THAT the Cultural Strategy be considered by the Select Committee at its meeting on 20 October 2003.
20. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
Mr R G Mazillius raised a question in relation to sex education in primary schools.
Mr R G Mazillius raised a question in connection with a Special Educational Needs Case.
Mr C R Hancock raised a question in relation to staffing levels at East Cowes library.
Appropriate replies were given by the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development.
CHAIRMAN