MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 28 JANUARY 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr J F Howe (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr A J Mellor, Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards
Co-opted (voting) :
Archdeacon M V Banting, Sister Patricia
Portfolio Holder :
Mrs J L Wareham
Apologies :
Mr C B W Chapman, Mr C R Hancock, Ms M Wilson
Also present (non-voting)
Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J H Fleming, Miss H L Humby, Mr R G Mazillius
39. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2002 be confirmed.
40. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations made at this stage.
41. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE SETTLEMENT, BUDGET FOR 2003 - 2004 AND FORWARD PLAN FOR 2004 - 06
The Select Committee considered the joint report of the Strategic Director for Finance and Information and County Treasurer and Strategic Director for Education and Community Development on the draft revenue budget for 2003 - 04.
The background to the Council’s settlement was outlined and members noted the overall effect this would have on the Council’s finances. Of particular concern was the reduction in grant received for both Education and Social Services. These equated to expenditure reductions of £10m. The DfES funding systems for Education included major changes involving the separation o schools and LEA funding blocks, transfer of some specific grants to mainstream funding and above inflation increases in pensions for teaching and non-teaching staff together with a significant increase in employees National Insurance contributions. The funding for the Youth Service was now identified separately within LEA’s Formula Spending Share (EFSS) which was matched by LEA spending. In addition the Strategic Director for Education and Community Development indicated that joint working with Connexions could assist in some innovative service development.
The increased contract costs for school transport o£118,000 was noted as having to be met to maintain existing service levels. The Select Committee was concerned as to this increased cost and believed that there was a need to look further at the issues involved. Members also considered that another area that required further debate at a future meeting related to the buy back arrangements between schools and the Authority. Discussion also took place on the transfer of specific grants to the EFSS for Nursery Education and Class Sizes in Primary Schools.
Officers indicated that the DFES had set a minimum Schools Budget for 2003-04 of £57,155,000 which had subsequently been amended to include sixth form spending. This would require funding of £807,000 in excess of the figure contained in the EFSS. The Executive would therefore be considering “passporting” the full amount required so not to delay the overall budget process. Although this would in large part secure a standstill budget it would still require savings of £336,000 to be identified in order to contain spending within the notified School Budget. Moreover, service pressures identified in the report would have to be found from economies elsewhere within the budget.
In discussing the revenue budget the Select Committee was made aware of additional costs required for the Peoples Network ICT system in libraries. This was as the result of the company originally involved with the scheme going into liquidation and the need to appoint a new company to complete the works. Members then debated the service reduction which would involve the closure of five libraries. The Head of Community Development advised that the libraries would be at Shanklin, East Cowes, Bembridge, Brighstone and Niton. A service would be provided by way of a new mobile library, the purchase of which had been taken into account in the revised budget. Members were concerned that any closures would mean centralisation of services in main towns. The Select Committee believed that there was scope for the integration of libraries into other community facilities, including schools. The Portfolio Holder stated that this was being investigated but a number of security issues would have to be resolved if schools were used.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT no comment be offered on the revenue expenditure plans proposed for those services coming within the remit of the Select Committee.
(b) THAT the Select Committee consider reports at a future meeting on school transport and the buying in of services by schools.
42. BEST VALUE REVIEW ON YOUTH AND COMMUNITY
The Select Committee was reminded that at its meeting on 11 November 2002 it had asked the Appraisal Group, involved in the Best Value Review on Youth and Community, to complete details relating to the draft improvement plan. The Appraisal Group had now met and the improvement plan contained dates, priorities and cost implications.
One of the recommendations contained within the improvement plan related to the establishment of a Task Group of elected members and young people to review the progress. The Select Committee discussed whether a Task Group was an appropriate forum to undertake any review and felt that there were a range of options that should be looked at. Members believed that this should be considered further at the Select Committee’s Awayday.
Included within the improvement plan was the target age range for the Youth Service being redefined to 13 to 19 year olds. This would involve approximately 80% of the Service’s resources with the remainder being utilised for those below and above that age range. It was intended that other agencies would supplement services to under 13's.
RESOLVED :
That the Best Value Review and associated improvement plan be recommended for approval by the Executive but the arrangements to review the progress with the improvement plan be discussed by the Select Committee at its Awayday.
43. IW CONNEXIONS FROM SEPTEMBER 2002
(During the course of the debate on this item Mrs D Gardiner declared a personal interest in the Careers Service and took no part in the discussions thereon)
The Select Committee received an report from the IW Manager for Connexions, Mrs A Hendon-John, on the latest developments with Connexions since it went live in September 2002. The delivery of the objectives contained in the business plan was overseen by a Local management Committee. The Portfolio Holder for Education and Lifelong Learning was on this together with the Strategic Director for Education and Community Development.
It was noted that Partnership Agreements were being established with all island High Schools and the College. These would cover Careers Advice, Citizenship and curriculum issues. A major launch of the Connexions Information Centres in these would be taking place on 14 April 2003. The Youth Service’s initiative for a one stop Information, Guidance, Advice and Support Centre would also be supported. Development work was also ongoing with regard to the Looked After Children’s Education Service.
Members discussed the establishment of the Youth Council and the role being played by all relevant agencies to assist in this. The Select Committee identified that it would like to have a report on the progress on this in six months time. This could also involve some of the young people involved in the Youth Council.
Two young people had now been appointed to the post of Connectors and these would provide an interface between Connexions and young people. Additionally a Fund Finder post had been established to assist in identifying funding opportunities, particularly for small voluntary organisations.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT the progress made by Connexions be noted.
(b) THAT a further progress report on Connexions be considered in six months and in particular the establishment of an Island Youth Council.
44. FUTURE OF RYDE AND SHANKLIN THEATRES
The Select Committee was reminded that it had established a Theatres task group to undertake a detailed consideration of theatre provision on the Island and in particular the management contracts for Ryde and Shanklin Theatres. The Chairman of the Task Group presented a report detailing the discussions and recommendations arising from the deliberations on these issues.
The Task Group, after visiting both Ryde and Shanklin Theatres, had reviewed the use of these and took into account the Council’s Arts Strategy. It had concluded that the contracts for the management of both theatres should not be renewed when the existing ones expired in November 2003. The Task Group then considered the practical and financial restrictions on the development of theatre provision at both of the existing facilities. It was believed that Ryde presented a better potential for wider community use and Shanklin offered the best opportunity to meet the overall theatre need on the Island. The Task Group was marginally in favour of seeking tenders for the management of Shanklin Theatre against the alternative of bringing its management in house.
The Select Committee considered the options available, together with the budget implications and the Council’s aspirations for arts development. The Head of Community Development and Tourism outlined the consultations that formed part of the draft Cultural Strategy that was soon to be reported to the Select Committee.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Executive be advised -
(a) that the existing contracts for the management of Ryde and Shanklin Theatres should be not be renewed.
(b) that the management of Ryde and Shanklin Theatres should be brought back in house and officers investigate the wider community use of these.
45. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS’S COMMITTEE
The Select Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Children and Young Person’s Committee held on 7 January 2003.
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes be noted.
46.
MEMBERS QUESTION TIME
Mr G Kendall asked a question relating to child safety. Mr P Joyce asked a question relating to the supply of free fruit to school children. The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development indicated that he would investigate these matters.
CHAIRMAN