21.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2004 were confirmed.
22.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no interests declared at this stage.
23.
FORWARD
PLAN
The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support advised that
the Forward Plan for November 2004 to February 2005 had recently been issued.
It was noted that although this indicated that the Executive would be
considering an item on the Adult and Community Learning Plan this now came
under the Portfolio Holder for Adult and Community Services and the respective
Select Committee.
24.
MAKING
SPACE – THE OAKFIELD CREW – LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEK
The Chairman welcomed Mrs Rusty Hanlon and Mrs Cathy Foulkes of
the Play Challenge Team from the Ryde Development Trust together with Mr Andrew
Hough, Senior Youth Worker at Ryde. A special welcome was also give to Leyla
Hamroush, Sami Hamorush, and Ricky Johnson from Ryde High School and Poppy Wall
from Swanmore Middle School who were part of the Oakfield Crew.
The Select Committee viewed a video made by pupils from the
Oakfield area of Ryde. This outlined their views on how they wanted their
neighbourhood to change and the creation of better play facilities. Members
were advised of how young people and adults had been engaged in identifying the
need for community regeneration. The first phase would be the creation of a
playground which would have equipment chosen by the young people following
visits to the mainland to test facilities.
In the longer term the site, which had been acquired through SRB VI
funding, would hopefully include a skate park, ball court, fixed play
equipment, adventure playground and environmental/wildlife areas. The pupils
also believed that it was important for the area to be safe through the
provision of lighting and CCTV. A planning application had been submitted for
the site and further work was required to provide improved links to the Nunwell
trail, cycle paths to Swanmore and Smallbrook and pedestrian routes to and from
the play area. The Oakfield Crew also queried what would happen to the existing
play area and if any maintenance funding could be redirected to the new
facility. There would be a need for dog waste bins and litter bins to be
provided.
The local member for the area, Mr J Bowker, highlighted the need
for the Council to ensure that there was Council investment in the provision of
community facilities such as envisaged at Oakfield as well as schemes aimed at
tourism on Ryde Esplanade.
The Oakfield Crew extended an invitation to any member to visit
their school as part of Local Democracy Week and also the site of the play
area.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE
SUPPORT
The relevant Council Officers be advised to offer every assistance
to enable the scheme to be delivered successfully.
25.
SERVICE
PLANS 2005-06
a)
Children
and Family Services
The Select Committee was advised of amendments that were required
to the details on Risk Management and the amounts shown for Revenue Bids. In
noting the bid in connection with LACES (Looked After Children Education
Service) members asked for an update on its work and the number of pupils
involved. The bid for a Contact Centre would help in the provision of suitable
accommodation for supervised access to children by parents, family and friends.
It was envisaged that the Clatterford Centre could be redeveloped for this
purpose.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
A briefing paper on the work of LACES be sent to members of the
Select Committee.
b)
Learning
Effectiveness and Lifelong Learning
Members were reminded of the importance in raising pupil
achievement as part of the Council’s CPA assessment. To ensure the success of the Action Plan for the Ofsted 14-19
Area Review additional capacity was required. This would however enable the
Council to access matched funding from the Learning and Skills Council.
The importance of resourcing the Family Learning Service and how
this could be used as an important element in raising attainment levels was
highlighted.
The important part played by the Council’s School Improvement and
Inspection Service was emphasised and Members were aware of the difficulties
that were being encountered when staff were absent due to illness. The
Strategic Director for Children’s Services referred to possible changes to this
service if it was transferred to Central Government control and the associated
financial impact.
c)
Planning
and Resources
The Select Committee sought clarification as to the full effect of
the Council passporting the Schools Block “guaranteed funding”. The Strategic
Director advised that within the Government’s 5 year strategy for education
there were proposals for a 3 year rolling budget for schools commencing in
2006. Although there would be little
control over the amounts involved it would assist in longer term financial
planning.
The changes to the Council’s school admission policy brought about
by a recent Ombudsman case was impacting on the costs of school transport.
Every effort was being taken to rationlise transport requirements where possible.
d)
SEN/Pupil
Services
The Select Committee noted that it was intended to integrate this
Service Plan with that for Children and Family Services by April 2005.
Members were made aware of the pressures placed upon the
specialist teacher who now had responsibility for the 150 pupils who had
English as a second language. The Strategic Director also referred to
difficulties in providing respite care for parents of children with special
education needs.
26.
MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
Mr Mazillius referred to a letter that a number of members had
received from Trinity Middle School outlining concerns being experienced with
the transport of pupils to the school. The Portfolio Holder for Children’s
Services indicated that she would discuss the problems with the Portfolio
Holder for Transport to ascertain how the delays that were being experienced by
buses on a number of school routes could be overcome.
Mr Gauntlett raised an issue relating to the safety of staff at St
Georges School. The Strategic Director for Children’s Services indicated that
he would investigate the issue and also ensure that reporting procedures were
being correctly followed.
CHAIRMAN