Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda, in addition to the general personal non-prejudicial interests detailed on the sheet attached to the agenda.

Councillor Gunnell amended her general personal non-prejudicial interests detailed on the sheet attached to the agenda to remove the interest relating to her son’s attendance at York College.

Ms F Barclay declared a general personal non-prejudicial interest as ATL Executive Member for City of York and North Yorkshire.

Dr A Birkinshaw declared a general personal non-prejudicial interest as Principal of York College.

Councillor Gunnell declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 2 (Minutes), in relation to a query raised on minute 25 (Emerging Options for a “MyPlace” Bid) of the meeting on 4 September 2008, as an employee of York Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2008.

In relation to minute 25 (Emerging Options for a “MyPlace” Bid), officers reported that a bid had not been submitted in the first round and outlined that although resources had been identified to support a bid in a later round, it had not yet been possible to translate these into appropriate project management skills.  Members highlighted the importance of getting these resources in place and requested that regular progress updates be provided.¹

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the last meeting of the Executive Member for Children and Young People’s Services and Advisory Panel; held on 4 September 2008 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Panel’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Wednesday 5 November 2008 at 5pm.

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

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.

On behalf of the meeting, the Chair recorded their congratulations and best wishes to the Director of Learning, Culture & Children’s Services, and his family, on the birth of their baby.