PAPER B

 

                                                                                                              Purpose : For Decision

                        REPORT TO CABINET

 

Date :              19 JULY 2005

 

Title :               ADULT AND COMMUNITY LEARNING PLAN

                       

REPORT OF THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ISLAND ECONOMY,  REGENERATION, TOURISM AND LEISURE

 

IMPLEMENTATION DATE :  20 July 2005

 

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

 

1.                  The Cabinet is asked to recommend that the Full Council on 20 July 2005  approve the Adult and Community Learning Plan for 2005/06.

 

BACKGROUND

 

2.                  In April 2001 and in accordance with Government directives, the responsibility and funding for Adult Learning passed from the Council to the local Learning and Skills Council for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (LLSC).

 

3.                  The Council continues to be the main provider of the services on the Island.  The range and scale of the services are now agreed annually with the LLSC and captured in an Adult and Community Learning Plan.  This serves  as a Service Level Agreement with the LLSC and sets out how the Council will compliment the LLSC funding programme with its own directly funded Adult and Community Learning Activities.

 

4.                  It had been the intention of the National Learning and Skills Council to introduce a formula funding approach to Adult and Community Learning for all providers with which it contracts effective from the academic year (August to July) 2003/04.  This move has not yet been achieved and in 2005/06 the proposal from the LLSC is to fund the Council at the same cash level as for 2004/05.

 

5.                  In order to be able to draw down this funding, the Council must submit in the LLSC’s prescribed format, an updated Adult and Community Learning Plan (the Plan) for 2005/06 to 2007/08.  This is in  the form of an update to the original three year development plan which was first approved by the LLSC in 2004/05  This plan must to take into account the likely level of available funding and also the wider development plan for the service which was accepted by the LLSC in June 2004.

 

6.                  An Executive Summary of the plan is attached at Annex 1 to this report.  The full plan can be found at:

 

www.eduwight.iow.gov.uk/student/higher_education/adult_ed/images/3yrDevPlanALPMarch2005-2006.pdf

 

The service improvements contained in the plan for 2005/06 include:

           

·        Development of Adult and Community Learning fee policy and introduction of fees on programmes previously fully fee remitted

·        Improvements to provision of Information, Advice and Guidance for learners

·        Improvements to initial and ongoing assessment of learners

·        Building on the success of Neighbourhood Learning in Ventnor in other Island Communities

·        Developing additional arts based family learning opportunities through the Creative Partnerships Project

·        Delivery of the E Learning and E Guides Action Plans

·        Improving the skills base of Adult and Community Learning tutors through lesson observation, training and provision of support materials

·        Adult and Community Learning Service to work towards the Matrix standard for Information, Advice and Guidance.

 

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

 

7.                  The Adult and Community Learning Plan is focussed around three main strands of activity which underpin many of the key strategic objectives of the Island as a whole:

·        Learning for personal development

·        Family Learning, Literacy, Language and Numeracy

·        Social Inclusion, widening participation and regeneration programmes

 

8.                  The Adult and Community Learning Plan is one of the key components of the Council’s policy framework and therefore requires the approval of the Full Council.

 

9.                  The plan helps to underpin one of the key messages in the emerging new Community Strategy – “We will create an Island where young and old alike have the skills and qualifications necessary for a happy and fulfilled life”, and supports the delivery of the Cultural Strategy.

 

10.             The Adult and Community Learning Services make a contribution to the achievement of each of the four priorities of the Local Area Agreement framework :-

 

·        Economic development and regeneration

·        Healthier communities and older people

·        Safer communities

·        Children and young people

 

CONSULTATION

 

11.             Consultation on the Plan is ongoing throughout the year.  Specifically it has been undertaken with:-

 

·        Isle of Wight Learning Partnership Management Board

·        Isle of Wight Learning Partnership Adult and Community Learning Strategy Group

·        Officers of the Learning and Skills Council Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

·        Isle of Wight Council Learning Providers Group

·        Cultural and Leisure Services Senior Management Team

 

12.             The consultation has ensured the key objectives of the Plan are reflected in the current Isle of Wight Learning Partnership Business Plan and Basic Skills Plan and supports local priorities. The consultation process ensures that learning provision is not duplicated and opportunities for partnership working are developed.  The plan supports the LLSC’s strategic objectives and  continuing partnership working and curriculum development amongst the provider group.

 

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

 

13.             The total cost of delivering the plan for the academic year 2005/06 is £442,595.

 

14.             The cost allocation is based on a provisional funding indication of £260,798 from the LLSC. The balance of £181,797 is funded by the Council from its core revenue budget (£117,713) and also Public Service Agreement (PSA) pump priming grant (£64,084).  Both the Council and PSA monies are within the existing revenue budget for 2005/06 financial year.

 

15.             In the service planning/negotiation meetings with the LLSC requests have been made for additional funding to support the infrastructure necessary to continue the quality improvement programme for the service and to increase the offer of the successful Family Learning and First Steps programmes.

 

16.             Additional funding from the LLSC is unlikely in 2005/06, indeed a reduction in funding below that provisionally indicated is possible.  If this were to be the case, the programmes and plan would need to be amended to reflect the changes.  The LLSC is aware and accepts this point

 

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

 

17.             The Learning and Skills Council has a statutory duty under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 to “increase demand for learning amongst adults”.  In fulfilling this duty, it may choose to work with any learning provider in an area.  It also, if necessary, has the ability to “compel” a local authority to secure provision of adult learning provision in its local area.  If a local authority does not secure the required provision, then the Secretary of State may require it to do so, subject to the LLSC making adequate resources available to it.

 

18.             The Adult and Community Learning plan is in the format prescribed by the LLSC and complies with its contractual requirements/expectations of the Council.

 

19.             Over 30% of those of employable age on the Island do not have a qualification to at least level 2 (5 GCSE grade A-C equivalent) in the standard scale.  The provision of Adult and Community Learning courses can offer people the opportunity to return to learning in a non-threatening and/or mutually supportive environment.  Ultimately, this could improve their employability and life chances and allow them to play a full part in the life of their community.  A strong supportive community can help to reduce the perception of and actual crime in their locality and enable people to feel included.

 

OPTIONS

 

1.        Adopt the Adult and Community Learning Plan as drafted.

 

2.        Suggest amendments to the drafted plan

 

3.        Reject the proposed plan

 

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

 

20.             The proposed Adult and Community Learning Plan has been drafted following extensive consultation with all of the Island’s principal stakeholders.  It therefore seeks to address the needs and expectations of the Island as expressed by these stakeholders including the learners.  It cannot deliver on all that the stakeholders would wish to see because of the financial limitations of the funding the Council is to receive from the LLSC to underpin its delivery.

 

21.             This funding is reliant on the delivery of the plan which has many risks associated with it.  These are all known, assessed and managed through the Council’s Risk Management processes, and the performance and quality systems used to deliver the services.  The risks are shown in annex 2.

 

22.             The plan represents further progression in the provision of high quality and learner focussed activities that have been developed in partnership with the LLSC since its inception.  It therefore meets the LLSC’s expectations of how these services will evolve in the coming academic year.  Any significant changes to it will therefore need to be negotiated with the LLSC, who may choose not to accept and therefore fund the changes.  In this instance it may also choose not to fund the balance of the programme, leaving the Council to fund it directly or for it not to proceed.

 

23.             This would also be the likely outcome, were the Council to reject the plan completely.  In this instance the LLSC may contract directly with an alternative provider of Adult and Community Learning activities or refer to the Secretary of State.  The approach taken in the proposed plan is for a co-ordinated, balanced provision being delivered to a number of target groups and geographical areas by a range of providers across the Island.  Were the LLSC to contract with only one of these providers, then it is likely that the overall balance in provision would be lost.

 

24.             The Adult and Community Learning service, secured by the Council is subject to regular inspection by the Adult and Community Learning Inspectorate (ALI).   Were the Council to become “dislocated” from being at the heart of the Island’s ACL provision, this may lead to it having a poor assessment of its role in the service.  The service has only just been through an ALI inspection and the results are awaited.  It may be that the post-inspection action plan that will be produced in response will necessitate some changes to the Adult and Community Learning Plan.  Such changes will need to be negotiated with the LLSC and contracted providers.  

 

25.             A reduction in the LLSC’s level of funding for the service from that provisionally indicated, would need to be compensated for by a reduction in the range of learning activities offered.  This would lead to an amendment to the Plan, the LLSC is aware of this potential outcome of its funding decisions.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

26.             That the Isle of Wight Adult and Community Learning Plan for 2005/06 be recommended to the Full Council for approval.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

·        IW Council Adult and Community Learning 3 Year Development Plan 2004/07

·        Learning and Skills Council Guidance on Adult Learning Plans

·        ACL Self-Assessment Report 2005

 

Contact Point :           John Metcalfe, Associate Director, Cultural and Leisure Services

                                    ( 823825     Email:  [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

MR JOHN METCALFE

Associate Director, Cultural and Leisure Services

COUNCILLOR TIM HUNTER - HENDERSON,

Cabinet Member for Island Economy, Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure

 

 

 

Annex 1

 

Isle of Wight Council

 


Adult and Community Learning

 

Adult Learning Plan 2005/06

 

Executive Summary

 

‘Life is for Learning, Learning is for Life’

 

Overview

 

The 2005/06 Adult Learning Plan identifies the principal Adult and Community learning activities planned which support the delivery of the three year development plan approved by the Learning and Skills Council in June 2004.

 

The plan supports the objectives of the Isle of Wight Council, Learning Partnership and the Learning and Skills Council in raising achievement, widening participation, social inclusion and community regeneration.

 

Key Achievements 2003/04

 

·              Core and project programmes successfully delivered in partnership with contracted providers.

·              Quality improvement programme delivered with all targets exceeded. The programme included training, lesson observations, learner and non learner surveys, external evaluations and research.

·              Development Plan objectives implemented.

·              Matrix Award achieved by the Family Learning Service January 2004.

·              Carnival Learning Programme ‘highly commended’ in the National Local Government Chronicle Awards 2005.

 

Programme Offer 2005/06

 

Direct Delivery

 

·              Family Literacy, Language and Numeracy programmes across the Island.

·              Wider Family Learning at East Cowes Family Learning Centre.

 

Sub Contracted Delivery

 

·              Leisure and personal development programme delivered by IW College Adult Education Department.

·              Social Inclusion, widening participation and regeneration programmes currently delivered by IWC Arts Unit, WEA, Platform One, IW College Learning Opportunities Department.

The programme includes, First Steps, Personal Development, Skills for Life, ESOL and Community Development courses.

 

Funding

 

The plan assumes funding from both the Learning and Skills Council and Isle of Wight Council at similar levels to 2004/05 and therefore the planned learner numbers of 1950 are as detailed in the 3 year plan with no planned growth.

 

Priorities and Key Issues for 05/06

 

Priorities identified in the plan include curriculum changes, fee policy, IAG, E Learning, Quality Improvements and building on success of Neighbourhood Learning in Ventnor.

 

Key issues to be monitored include funding, impact of increased fees, minimum infrastructure, post inspection action plan and LSC future funding proposals.

 

Quality

 

A comprehensive self assessment report and development plan completed which details the activities to be undertaken to ensure continual improvements in quality. Key improvements planned relate to:-

 

·              IAG

·              Contract and performance monitoring

·              Quality Improvement Programme

·              RARPA pilot

·              Continual use of external evaluations and implementation of recommendations.

 

Information Advice and Guidance

 

Actions planned include working towards Matrix accreditation. ACL officers to undertake level 2 training and strengthening links with IAG Providers and the IAG Partnership.

 

Equality and Diversity

 

Six ACL officers to undertake level 2 Equality and Diversity training. All IWC services to complete impact audits and produce action plans.

 

Risk Management

 

The Adult Learning Plan is monitored through the Cultural and Leisure Services senior management team and ACL management team in accordance with the IWC risk management system.

 

 

Annex 2

 

 

 

The main risks to delivery of the Adult and Community Learning Plan 2005/06 relate to:-

 

 

 

 

·        Withdrawal of key providers on delivery of ACL Programmes

 

·        Loss of key members of staff

 

·        The Adult Learning Inspectorate finding that the service is unsatisfactory

 

·        Insufficient funding to develop Family Literacy, Language and Numeracy Programmes and meet Public Service Agreement targets

 

·        Learner numbers and outreach locations may be reduced as a result of the revised fee policy

 

·        Limited availability of qualified tutors

 

·         Limited availability of new providers