Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Thornton Room - Ground Floor, West Offices (G039). View directions

Contact: Catherine Clarke and Louise Cook  Democracy Officers

Items
No. Item

19.

Declarations of Interest

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda

 

Minutes:

Members were asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of business on the agenda.

 

Cllr S Barnes disclosed a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 7 (School Improvement Update) and agenda item 8 (Academisation, School Organisation and Place Planning Summary), due to his daughter attending Robert Wilkinson Primary School.

 

Cllr Taylor disclosed a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 (Scrutiny Report – Explore York Libraries and Archives) due to his involvement in the promotion of Big City Read through his employment at City Screen.

 

Cllr Brooks disclosed a personal non-prejudicial interest in that she is a governor on the Leeds and York Mental Health Trust.

 

 

20.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 114 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017.

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 September 2017 be approved as a correct record and then signed by the Chair.

 

21.

Public Participation

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday, 13 November 2017.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

 

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officers for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

 

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission.  The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts  or, if sound recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

 

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officers (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

 

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

Minutes:

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

 

22.

Scrutiny Report - Explore York Libraries and Archives pdf icon PDF 221 KB

This report from Explore York Libraries and Archives service provides an update on the work of the service in its fourth year of operating independently, as at the end of October 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Committee Members considered a report that updated them on the performance of Explore York Libraries and Archives Mutual Ltd (Explore).

Members noted that the Chief Executive of York Explore had sent her apologies and the Scrutiny Officer offered to feed any questions back to her.

Some Members commented on the results of the staff wellbeing survey and the committee welcomed the encouraging results around staff feeling their job was worthwhile.

The Chair stated that the consultation on the future of library services had begun and would run until 14 February 2018.  Members noted that the consultation could be viewed at www.york.gov.uk/consultations and staff working at York Explore would be available to assist anyone who may need help completing it online.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

Reason: To help monitor the service received under the contract.

23.

Make It York Scrutiny Update pdf icon PDF 136 KB

This report from Make It York (MIY) provides an update on the progress of MIY regarding the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with City of York Council.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report that updated them on the progress of Make It York (MIY) with regard to the Service Level Agreement with City of York Council.

 

The Managing Director of MIY was in attendance to present the report and he highlighted some of the events and festivals that had taken place over 2017, which had contributed to a rise in visitor numbers, resulting in a positive outlook for York’s tourism. He stated that Visit York were re-launching their website and that the purchase of the York Pass was 62% up on last years figures.

 

The proposed 2018 events and festivals were discussed and Members noted York’s offer would include a new 4 day horticultural festival called Bloom which would tie in with the 250th anniversary of the Ancient Society of York Florists.

 

The Managing Director highlighted the cultural events taking place, which included the 2nd Culture Awards and it was noted that the progress made on developing a cultural strategy for the city was taking longer than anticipated.

 

Members were informed that MIY were on track to achieve their full year budget, which was helped by the renaissance of the Shambles Market and the growing success of the food court.

 

In answer to Members questions it was noted that:

·        The early evening offer within the city centre had uplifted due to the vast selection of restaurants and bars but that it was still proving difficult to persuade shops to stay open late one night a week.

·        Organisers of the Balloon Festival were considering the comments received and were working on repairing any damaged caused by the adverse weather.

·        The Shambles Market currently had a temporary cover and that a permanent cover was being considered to maintain momentum during the winter months and to allow the area to be used for performances during the day and evening.

·        Better signage to the Shambles Market was required and the approach from Silver Street needed to be made more attractive.

·        MIY were in the process of raising funding to promote Bloom and to date had received a positive response from many organisations who would like to provide content for the festival, which if successful, could become a potential annual event.

 

Following discussions around engaging more young people in the development of the cultural offer, Members thanked the Managing Director for his report and were encouraged to hear what was on offer during 2018.

 

Resolved: That the update be noted.

 

Reason:     To fulfil the Council’s role under the agreed partnership arrangements.

 

 

24.

Update on Implementation of Local Area Teams pdf icon PDF 346 KB

This report provides a further update on the implementation of Local Area Teams and progress to date, following the last update to the Committee in March 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report that provided them with an update on Local Area Teams.

 

The Corporate Director of Children, Education and Communities introduced the report and stated that the development of Local Area Teams had been a significant piece of work that was not just a set of council services but a multi agency approach that brought together all partners in a local area that existed in the lives of children, young people and families. 

 

The new set of arrangements were launched in January 2017 and the Head of Early Help and Local Area Teams continued to explain the progress made since Members were last updated in March 2017 and it was noted that:

 

·        The transition plan ran until March 2018.

·        Local Area Teams now included the Healthy Child Service where progress had already been achieved through the integration.

·        Engagement with all elected Members had taken place and briefing sessions had been provided.

·        Childcare funding for two year olds had increased to 76%.

·        The young people’s service was now established at 30 Clarence Street and the transition had gone well, the offer would be developed through the creation of a new partnership.

 

Officers responded to Members questions where it was acknowledged that:

·        Volunteers were recruited by publicising the schemes through press releases and social media and then appointed following appropriate checks and training.

·        Officers had received feedback from young people and were currently considering ways to promote 30 Clarence Street to engage more young people in the development of the offer.

·        There was a system in place to ensure all queries received were logged and then pursued, should the enquiry require further support.

·        Officers were developing a reporting system that would reflect the work of Local Area Teams.

·        Officers had developed good relationships with all the multi agency’s, which had already helped bring communities together.

·        Two school nurses had been recruited and the number of health outreach nurses had also increased.

·        Complaints on anti social behaviour would be considered by all the relevant partners, who would work together to develop a solution.

 

Members thanked officers and everyone involved in the development of LAT’s and it was recognised that the implementation had been a considerable piece of work.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

Reason: To keep Members updated on the implementation of Local Area Teams.

25.

School Improvement Update pdf icon PDF 85 KB

This report provides information about schools’ performance in the academic year 2016-17 and about the position of schools according to Ofsted inspection judgements as of 1 November 2017.

Minutes:

Members considered a report that provided information about school performance in the academic year 2016/17, and about the positions of schools according to Ofsted inspection judgements as of 1November 2017.

 

The Assistant Director of Education and Skills was in attendance to present the report and she highlighted the primary and secondary school performance results from Early Years Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 5.  She confirmed that across all Key Stages the city continued to perform well against national benchmarks and that the early years foundation stage had maintained their good level of development, which gave children a more secure journey through the Key Stages.

 

Members were informed that:

 

·                                      Primary outcomes had progressed and the work undertaken to improve writing had been successful resulting in a significant uplift in writing outcomes in both Key Stages.  This success had lead to a partnership funding bid win of £196,000 to extend work in writing.

·                                        A new KS4 numerical national performance grading system was now used in English and mathematics where grade 4 was a standard pass and grade 5 a good pass. All other subjects would continue to be graded using the A*-G grading system until a phased roll out had been completed.

·                                       The gaps had narrowed throughout KS1 to KS4

·                                      Outcomes in KS5 continued to be strong with all school sixth forms performing strongly against value added benchmarks.

·                                      Ofsted Judgements continued to improve and specialist provision was 100% better.

·                                      Schools continued to work together to ensure the correct interventions were in place to improve performance results.

·                                      School sixth forms were working more closely together to ensure a more sustainable offer to enable a more balanced and broad curriculum.

Members noted that the performance in the new reformed GCSEs was very strong and the percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 and above in English and mathematics was above national average.  They also noted that the new results were not directly comparable to the A*-G grading due to an enhancement in the national standards and discussions took place around how schools were going to monitor and benchmark those results.

 

Officers responded to Members questions and in regard to narrowing the gap officers agreed to provide further information on school improvement interventions at a future committee meeting.

 

Members thanked officers for the report and welcomed the positive outcomes throughout the Key Stages and the encouraging results in narrowing the gaps.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

Reason: To provide the committee with an update on school performance in the academic year 2016/17.

 

26.

Academisation, School Organisation and Place Planning Summary pdf icon PDF 153 KB

This report provides an update on the conversion of schools in  York to academies and on the council’s work on school place planning.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report that provided an update on academisation in York and the councils work on school place planning.

 

The Assistant Director of Education and Skills gave an update and confirmed 20 York schools had converted to academy status and all apart from one had joined one of the four locally constituted multi-academy trusts (MATs), Ebor, Hope, Pathfinder or South Bank. Members noted that a fifth MAT, the South Partnership, was in the process of forming.

 

Members noted there were no further expressions of interest from any maintained schools to move to academisation and that the Local Authority retained a strong working relationship with all academies/multi academy trusts.

 

Officers stated that although figures currently showed a city wide surplus in primary school places some schools would continue to have pressure points within certain year groups as the high number of pupils admitted over the last few years made their way through their primary school education.

 

Officers highlighted how the council was working to ensure sufficient school places were available for current and future residents and how they forecast likely demand and supply of school places over the medium and longer term e.g. taking account of   future housing developments and how new schools must be delivered at the right time.

 

Members thanked officers for their report and following discussions around supply and demand pressures,  use of none teaching areas and the academy schools admission policies, it was agreed that all ward Members should be kept updated to engage in future planning.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

 

Reason: To provide the Committee with an update on the pace of academisation and the work taking place to meet the council’s statutory duty to deliver sufficient school places in its area.

27.

York Museums Trust (YMT) Scrutiny Review Update pdf icon PDF 102 KB

This report sets out progress against the recommendation of the Scrutiny Review Task Group, in their report to the Learning and Culture Policy & Scrutiny Committee on 21 March 2016, regarding the future legal relationship between City of York Council and the YMT.

Minutes:

Members considered a report that updated them on the progress with developing a new legal relationship between the Council and York Museums Trust.

 

Members noted that a further update would be reported at a future meeting and Members agreed to email any additional questions to the Assistant Director of Communities & Equalities.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

Reason: To update Members the future legal relationship between the Council and YMT.

28.

Work plan 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s work plan for the 2017-18 municipal year.

Minutes:

Members considered the Committees work plan for the 2017/18 municipal year.

 

Following discussion:

 

·        The Scrutiny Officer agreed to consult with the Assistant Director of Education and Skills regarding the most appropriate time for the committee to receive an update on the interventions used to narrow the gaps.

 

·          Cllr S Barnes agreed to email the Scrutiny Officer his proposals for undertaking a Youth Offending scrutiny review and the Scrutiny Officer would then confirm if the Children, Education & Communities Policy & Scrutiny Committee was the correct committee to consider it.

 

Resolved:  That the work plan be noted and updated by the Scrutiny Officer, subject to the above.

 

Reason: To keep the Committee’s work plan updated.

 

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