MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2004 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 A J Mellor, Mr V J Morey, Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards
Co-opted (voting) :
Sister Patricia, Mr A Wood
Also Present (non-voting) :
Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham
Portfolio Holder :
Mrs J L Wareham
44. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2003 be confirmed.
45. DECLARATIONS OF INTERTEST
There were no declarations of interest at this time.
46. EDUCATION FINANCE 2004-05 (UPDATE)
(During the debate Mr R C Richards declared an interest in Branstone Farm).
The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development advised the Select Committee that savings of £567,800 were needed to comply with the 2004/05 Cash Limit of £68,754,000.
Members discussed various aspects of the proposed budget reductions with particular attention to :
· the proposed reduction in Free School Meals – numbers in primary schools had dropped away.
· delaying the start date of implementing the OFSTED Action Plan until September 2004 would make a saving.
· the £148,000 reduction in the schools cluster budget – may be possible to carry over any balances from this years budget to 2004/05 budget. Schools apply against criteria within the Education Development Plan.
· SEN – there was a statutory requirement to check mainland placements once a year. It was noted that in some instances funding was also provided by Social Services and Health. Funding was also available for students who wished to continue their education at 16, although it was difficult to identify how many students would take this up.
· Branstone Farm – Island schools paid into a subscription arrangement. Mainland schools also visited the farm, for which a charge was made. The facility still however required a Council subsidy.
RESOLVED :
THAT members support the basis of the Education budget for 2004/05.
47. BUDGET CONSULTATION
The Select Committee considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer. The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development outlined the 2004/05 revised budget and 2005/06 forecast. In discussing the details contained in the report members considered that it would be useful in the future if these could be just in relation to those services coming within the Select Committees remit.
The following points were raised :
· records office – feasibility study still needed for new facility and alternative funding would be sought.
· libraries – ICT technician for Peoples Network. At present the system was looked after by Council IT department, but due to workloads there was a delay in dealing with upgrades and problems. There were no plans to reduce opening hours at present. Minimum library standards need to look at how staffed and graded.
· IW Symphony Orchestra – would not impact on the operation of the Music Service.
· Dinosaur Isle – Despite success £25,000 subsidy from the Council required.
· Botanic Gardens – Required subsidy by the Council. Last year of the catering contract.
· Platform 1 – Youth organisation which was involved in the development and support young people through music.
· Quay Arts Centre – £60,000 revenue grant reduction from the Council, matched funding from Southern Arts. Believed Quay Arts Centre was now stable.
· Rowland Paintings – Grants in excess of £800,000 received which thereby paid for the paintings. Discussions ongoing to identify partners to work with to produce prints etc, making sure no risk for the Council. Licence and copyright owned by the Council.
· Theatres – Brought back in house approximately 18 months ago.
· Sports – Select Committee showed some concern over deferral of bids in the light of recent national reports relating to obesity.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT in future the revenue bids list show only those items which were under which Select Committees remit.
(b) THAT the implications for Community Development arising from the 2004/05 budget proposals be noted.
48. LEA SECTION 38 INSPECTION REPORT : OFSTED/AUDIT COMMISSION
The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development reminded members that OfSTED had inspected the LEA in September 2003. The resulting report had now been circulated and the LEA had 70 working days in which to produce an action plan responding to that report.
The LEA had moved from a lower 2* position to an upper 2* position. There were 5 categories in which judgements were made, The LEA’s Strategy for School Improvement, Support for School Improvement, Special Educational Needs, Promoting Social Inclusion and Introduction to Corporate Issues.
The Education Development Plan had moved from unsatisfactory to good. The weakest area had been Section 4 – Promoting Social Inclusion. There was also a clear criticism in the report in regard to the way scrutiny was undertaken. The Select Committee believed that an Informal Away-day should be held to discuss the way forward.
There was some discussion as to the relative advantages of a 2 tier system compared with a 3 tier system particularly in relation to pupil attainment. The Strategic Director indicated that a report looking at alternative structures would be presented to the Executive in April 2004. The Select Committee was advised that in comparison with other 3 tier system LEA’s Key Stage 2 performance on the Island was down.
RESOLVED :
THAT an Informal Away-day be arranged to discuss the action required in response to the recommendations contained in the OFSTED report.
49. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
Mr C M Gauntlett asked a question in relation to the construction of a new music room at Swanmore Middle School. (MQ 10/04)
A copy of the question and reply given is contained in the Members’ Question Register.
CHAIRMAN