MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT THE ECHIUM TERRACE, VENTNOR BOTANIC GARDEN, UNDERCLIFF DRIVE, VENTNOR, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.45 AM
Present :
Mr J F Howe (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr P D Joyce, Mr V J Morey, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards
Co-opted (voting) :
Mr N Mitchell
Portfolio Holders :
Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs J L Wareham
Apologies :
Archdeacon M Banting, Mr C B W Chapman, Mr C R Hancock, Mr G S Kendall, Mr A J Mellor, Ms M Wilson
20. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT subject to the name of Mr R C Richards being added to the names of those giving apologies the minutes of the meeting held on 29 August 2002 be confirmed.
21. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations made at this stage.
22. LIVE SERVICE OF CONNEXIONS FROM SEPTEMBER 2002
(During the course of the debate on this item Mrs D Gardiner declared a personal interest in the Careers Service)
The Head of Education Effectiveness and Lifelong Learning reminded members that Connexions had been operating on a pilot basis on the Island since April 2000. The Government had approved the service going live from September 2002. The Isle of Wight was part of the South Central Connexions Partnership which also included Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth.
The Connexions Manager for the Island, Mrs Anne Hendon-John, then outlined the strategy, management arrangements, finance and delivery plan. Connexions drew relevant stakeholders togther to provide a cohesive service for all 13 to 19 year olds. This would also include careers guidance and advice previously provided under contract by Southern Careers. A presentation was also made on the successful Youth Showcase held at Medina High School and Theatre on 6 July 2002.
Members discussed the role of Connexions and the need to avoid any duplication of effort with other agencies such as the Youth Service. It was accepted that there was a need for such agencies to review the delivery of their own service in the light of that undertaken by Connexions. Clarification was also given to staffing issues surrounding the Careers Service, and training. Officers agreed to investigate a query raised with regard to consultancy work. The Select Committee noted that Connexions was not accountable to the Council but would be inspected by OFSTED.
RESOLVED :
THAT the work of Connexions be noted.
23. REVIEW OF DINOSAUR ISLE 2001-2002
The Select Committee reviewed the operation of Dinosaur Isle at Sandown following completion of its first full 12 month’s operation. Information was given by Dr Mike Bishop, Museums Officer; Mr Peter Pusey, General Manager of Dinosaur Isle; Mr Martin Munt, Geology Curator; and Mr John Quayle, a volunteer at Dinosaur Isle.
Visitor members were well in excess of those projected. It was believed that, based on experience elsewhere, numbers would decrease in 2003/04. A five year development plan was being drafted. This would be aimed at overcoming any known shortcomings following the facility being opened to the public for a full year and include the possibility of expanding the displays, incorporating more storage facilities, extending the Reception foyer and landscaping outside the museum. In accordance with the funding arrangements agreed by the Millennium Commission all profits had to be reinvested in the facility. Although Dinosaur Isle did not have a café it was known that the catering outlet at the adjoining Browns site had seen an increase in patronage. The establishment of Friends of Dinosaur Isle was being investigated.
Discussion took place on the Council’s acquisition policy for adding to its fossil collection. There was a small central budget for this and in certain circumstances it was possible to apply for grant aid from other funding agencies.
RESOLVED :
THAT the review of Dinosaur Isle for 2001-2002 be noted.
24. VENTNOR BOTANIC GARDEN
The Curator of the Ventnor Botanic Garden, Mr Simon Goodenough, together with the Chairman of the Friends of the Garden, Mr Tom Smith, reported on the operation and management of the Garden. It had not been possible to for a representative from Pabulum, which operated the catering facility, to attend the meeting.
The Select Committee was advised of the historical background to the Garden. It was estimated that it received approximately 250,000 visitors each year although this had been affected in 2001/02 by the collapse of Undercliff Road and the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak on tourism generally. Growth in visitor numbers would be restricted due to the poor public transport links to the area and limited car parking space at the Garden itself. The Garden had recently be classed by the English Tourist Board as being in the top three gardens in the country that was open to the public free of charge. English Heritage had also registered the Garden as a grade II listed landscape and it was hoped that this would open access to new funding.
The Visitor Centre, completed in May 2000, had been a project funded by the Millennium Commission, Biffaward and Southern Water. Difficulties had been experienced with the lift and although ceratin repairs were due to be undertaken over the following two days it still had to be modified so it conformed to the appropriate standards. The facilities within the Visitor Centre enabled the Garden to host a number of national and professional conferences, seminars and exhibitions. Additionally the Centre would be involved in Royal Horticultural Society training schemes in association with the Sparsholt College. Mr Goodenough also outlined the expanding use of the Garden as an educational and teaching resource.
Mr Smith, Chairman of the Friends explained the role played by the group in carrying out voluntary work in the Garden, assisting with talks and visits and fund raising.
The Select Committee discussed concerns that had been expressed as to the catering operation at the Visitor Centre. It was explained that this was carried out under contract by Pabulum. The Curator indicated that the Company had recently made some changes to its staffing aimed at improving service delivery. The Select Committee considered that the contract should be reviewed to ascertain what action could be taken to improve the situation. In relation to public transport members considered that attempts should be made to ensure that a bus service was provided both for visitors and to assist in the operation of the Garden as a training resource. It was noted that the Education Directorate had recently been successful in a bid associated with the review of education for 14 to 19 year olds resulting in the acquisition of 8 minibuses that could be utilised with any training scheme at the Garden. Members were also made aware of the recent decision of the Development Control Committee with regard to the sculpture. Members were made aware of the concern of the Curator over the need to repair footpaths within the Garden so that insurance claims could be reduced. Despite £35,000 being spent in 2001/02 on such works, and improvements to the playground, a similar sum was now required.
RESOLVED :
THAT a report be considered in six months time to ascertain progress with the areas of concern highlighted during discussion.
CHAIRMAN