Issue - meetings

This report presents an update on further progress within the city in taking forward the 14–19 Curriculum Reforms, since the report presented to the Executive Member and Advisory Panel (EMAP) on the 17 July 2008.  It also provides a briefing on the implications of the Machinery of Government changes which provide for the transfer of funding for 16-19 education from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to the Local Authority (LA), meaning that the LA will be responsible for securing sufficient provision in its local area to meet the new learner entitlements whilst raising participation and attainment. Finally, it provides information on funding issues, notably the revenue grants provided to support Diploma developments.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)         That the continuing good progress on developments linked to the 14-19 Curriculum Reforms be noted;

(ii)        That the opportunities and challenges presented by the Machinery of Government changes, the sound initial position of the Local Authority, LSC and sub-regional partners, and the progress already made be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To ensure that the city is well place to provide the range of new curriculum opportunities which contribute to a wider learner entitlement, and to ensure the LA is well prepared to assume new responsibilities acquired from the LSC in 2010.

Members received a report which presented an update on further progress within the city in taking forward the 14–19 Curriculum Reforms, since the report presented to the Executive Member and Advisory Panel (EMAP) on the 17 July 2008.  It also provided a briefing on the implications of the Machinery of Government changes which provided for the transfer of funding for 16-19 education from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to the Local Authority (LA), meaning that the LA would be responsible for securing sufficient provision in its local area to meet the new learner entitlements whilst raising participation and attainment. Finally, it provided information on funding issues, notably the revenue grants provided to support Diploma developments.

In relation to the Machinery of Government changes, some concerns were expressed regarding the transfer of a responsibility to the LA without provision of funding for making the change.  Concerns were also raised that the responsibility for Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD) students, aged 18-25, which was transferring from the LSC to the LA, did not have a funding stream attached.  Officers reported that as new provision (predominantly at Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2) to address Raising the Participation Age would have to be funded by savings resulting from demographic decline, existing Level 3 (A Level and equivalent) provision would have to be consolidated and reduced.

Members suggested that it would be helpful if a representative from the LSC could attend future meetings where this matter was discussed.¹

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)         That the continuing good progress on developments linked to the 14-19 Curriculum Reforms be noted;

(ii)        That the opportunities and challenges presented by the Machinery of Government changes, the sound initial position of the Local Authority, LSC and sub-regional partners, and the progress already made be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To ensure that the city is well place to provide the range of new curriculum opportunities which contribute to a wider learner entitlement, and to ensure the LA is well prepared to assume new responsibilities acquired from the LSC in 2010.