MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 31 JANUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs J L Wareham (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr A J Mellor, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards

Co-opted :

Mr N Mitchell, Ms M Wilson

Spokesperson :

Mr P G Harris

Also Present :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr B C Buckle, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming, Mr E Fox, Mrs B Lawson, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs S A Smart, Mr I R Stephens, Mr A A Taylor Mr D G Williams

Apologies :

Archdeacon M Banting, Mr C B W Chapman, Sister Patricia

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2001 be confirmed.

18. REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

(a) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Learning and Skills Council Review of Post 14 Education and Training on the Isle of Wight

The Strategic Director reported on the background to two reports on a collaboration and integrated approach for planning and resourcing of post 14 education and training on the Isle of Wight. One report had been produced by a Task Group established by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Learning Skills Council. The second report was commissioned to assist in the work of the Task Group and involved a review and assessment of the Island's post 14 education and training needs. This report had been undertaken by consultants KPMG. Contained within these two reports were a number of recommendations which required further consultation with all relevant stakeholders prior to any final decision being made.

The Chairman introduced Professor Sir William Taylor, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Fourteen-plus Task Group and Mr Neal Bawden, Project Manager KPMG. She also welcomed representatives of the College, High Schools, Middle and Primary Schools who had been invited for this item.

Sir William indicated that the Task Group had been established in October 2001 following a review undertaken, by Dr Terry Melia, in response to the local Learning and Skills Council's (LLSC) concerns as to the quality and effectiveness of post 16 education and training on the Island. The reports of both Task Group and KMPG had been accepted by the LLSC at its meeting on 23 January 2002.

The Task Group had concluded that given the presence of 5 high schools, 8 private training providers and the college led to a situation of too much supply chasing too little demand. This resulted in uneconomic use of teaching resources, little incentive for investment, inability to meet the emerging needs of employers and students and a shortfall in the quality of training and education. Due to the forthcoming publication of policy documents on education, the implications of Curriculum 2000 and the White Paper 'Achieving Success' it was necessary for any future education and training framework to be related to fourteen plus.

The Select Committee was advised that it was vital for all organisations to collaborate on future provision. The alternative would be external intervention and the possible loss of responsibility for all post 16 education and training on the Island.

Members were told how a collaborative system could operate. There would be implications for the primary, middle, high and further education sectors dependent on the type of arrangements adopted. What was known was that any option had to ensure the economic and efficient use of public money in the provision of post 16 education and training. To enable further the consideration of options to be progressed, Sir William recommended that an Isle of Wight Tertiary Strategy Group be established. He outlined the possible terms of reference and membership together with a timetable.

Mr Neal Bawden, Project Manager of KMPG then gave a presentation on the review and assessment of the Island's post 14 education and training needs. He outlined the aims and objectives, review methodology, key issues for demand and provision, levels of achievement and quality issues. The findings emphasised the unique nature of the Island and that because of this it did operate independently of the mainland. There were examples of good practice and some collaboration but this needed to be extended.

Mr Bawden highlighted the difficulties encountered with the number of small groups on courses and the effect this had on the efficient and effective use of resources.

Four options had been identified in KMPG's report. The first involved the setting up of a Tertiary Board of the main stakeholders. This would plan and collaborate on the provision and integration of post 14 education, with all those involved abiding by the Boards decisions. The second option would require primary and middle schools to be re-organised into primary schools for 5 -11 year olds, with secondary schools catering for 11-16 year olds. Post 16 education would be undertaken by a sixth form college with vocational and post 19, adult and community education carried out at a separate unit.

Option three required a less drastic re-organisation with middle schools catering for 9-14 year olds. There would need to be a reduction in High Schools from five to four and these to work in close collaboration with the College. The fourth option would have primary schools for 5-11 year olds and secondary schools for 11-18 year olds. Schools would undertake lighter vocational work with the college concentrating on special skill courses.

The third option was favoured by KMPG. Mr Bawden however agreed that it was necessary for a Strategy Group to be established to discuss the options in greater detail.

Sir William and Mr Bawden then clarified a number of issues raised by the Select Committee. They stressed the need for all stakeholders to look at the long term requirements. Funding of any changes in provision could not be guaranteed. There was a need for stakeholders to look at all the options in detail before deciding to abandon any. Sir William stressed the ability of stakeholders to influence the future provision of post 14 education on the Island. There was a need to demonstrate a realistic timetable in consultation arrangements and any resulting action plan.

Representatives of the College and High Schools then gave a brief comment on the conclusions of the two reports. Concern was expressed by the High School sector as to the proposal to only have one head and one governor representative on the Tertiary Strategy Group. It was believed that this should be increased to two heads and two governors so that a better balanced view could be given at meetings.

The Strategic Director indicated that the Executive would be requested to consider the establishment of a Tertiary Strategy Group. It was anticipated that a draft consultation paper would then be prepared for release in early Autumn 2002. A consultation period of 2-3 months would be given until the end of 2002. The results of the formal consultation would be considered in Spring 2003.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the establishment of a Tertiary Strategy Group in partnership with the Local Learning and Skills Council as contained in the report of the Isle of Wight Fourteen-Plus Task Group and consideration be given to increasing its membership by the appointment of one additional member nominated by heads of the Island High Schools from among their number and one additional member nominated by the lay governors of the Island High Schools from among their number.

(ii) THAT the intention of the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development to institute formative consultation with schools and other bodies be noted.

(b) Service Plans and Performance indicators

The Select Committee give consideration to the Service Plans in respect of the Isle of Wight Music Service and Branstone Farm Studies Centre.

The Head of the Music Service outlined its achievements during 2001/02 and the areas where improvements were required.

The Assistant Director of Education (Community Development) presented the Service Plan on the Branstone Farm Studies Centre. The value of the service provided by the facility was highlighted. Limiting factors in its expansion were staffing levels and classroom size.

The Select Committee discussed the information provided by the Service Plans that it had considered to date. It had proved to be a valuable exercise, particularly for new members, in gaining knowledge about the range of services provided. The Strategic Director indicated that he was looking at ways of rationalising the number of plans. This, together with the content and information, was being looked at by the Performance Management Task Group set up by the Resources Select Committee.

Members considered that there was a need to ensure better use of performance indicators and benchmarking. In addition earlier consideration of Service Plans would enable service improvements or reductions to be included in the budget process.

RESOLVED :

THAT the views of the Select Committee relating to Service Plans be reported to the Performance Management Task Group.

19. BUDGET 2002/03 AND FORWARD PLAN 2003/05

(a) Education Services

The Strategic Director of Finance and Information reported on the education budget for 2002/03. The Executive had stated its intention to spend at SSA, in line with Government wishes. Reference was made to the committed growth areas together with service pressures which were taken into account in the draft budget. The impact of the School Standards Grant and revised Delegation targets on the budget were also explained.

Discussion took place on the overall budget and in particular the balances held by schools. The Portfolio Holder explained the difficulties that could be experienced by some schools if funding to schools was reduced.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Executive be advised that the draft revenue proposals for education services are supported by the Select Committee.

(ii) THAT the information provided within the budget papers be deemed suitable

(b) Education Capital Programme 2002/03

The Select Committee considered the draft education capital programme for 2002/03. This contained projects recommended by the Schools Asset Management Plan Steering Committee.

The level of capital allocation released by the DfES was noted. In addition to this further monies had been made available through successful bids under other programmes and initiatives.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Education Schools Capital Programme for 2002/03 be agreed and the Executive be requested that the appropriate funding be made available.

(ii) THAT the applications made to the DfES under other programmes and initiatives for capital works be noted.

(c) Community Development Services

The Strategic Director for Education and Community Development reported on the revenue 2002/03 and capital budget for Community Services. Additional information in relation to the budget had been supplied to the Select Committee to assist in its deliberations.

The success of the Dinosaur Isle Museum had enabled savings to be made in the subsidy that was previously applied to the now closed Geology Museum.

Consideration was given to the items identified by the Strategic Director as being the least undesirable service reductions. Members noted that following further legal advice it would not be possible to terminate the existing management agreement for Ryde Theatre. With regard to financial support to the Isle of Wight Island Games Association the Select Committee believed that this would create serious implications for the Island's future involvement in this event.

Members were made aware of the savings that could be made through the closure of 5 libraries. It was noted that this had not been discussed by the Libraries Task Group and would require substantial dialogue with a number of relevant bodies.

The Strategic Director explained the prioritisation of the capital bids. It was noted that only �31,000 had been allocated in 2001/02 in respect of essential works at the Botanic Gardens. The need to identify the provision of a new County Record Office was becoming more urgent as the Council had only been issued a temporary licence by the National Record Office for the storage of certain documents.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Executive be advised that the revenue proposals for Community Services are supported by the Select Committee except for the areas identified for service reduction which are considered to be not achievable.

(ii) THAT the priorities identified by the Strategic Director for capital schemes be agreed.

(iii) THAT in future years more details be supplied on revenue pressure areas and the background to capital bids at an earlier date.

20. FORWARD PLAN

The Select Committee was made aware of a number of items that were included within the Forward Plan for January to April 2002 relating to its area of scrutiny. With regard to its own workplan Members requested that consideration should be given to the LEA policy on discipline in schools.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Forward Plan for January to April 2002 be noted.

(ii) THAT the Select Committee consider a report on the LEA policy on discipline in schools at its April 2002 meeting.

CHAIRMAN