Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see attached sheet for further guidance for Members]

The Executive Member was 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 might have in respect of the business on the agenda.

None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 15 November 2023.

The Executive Member considered the minutes of the Decision Session held on 15 November 2023, and drew attention to item 9 (Investment of 2023/24 Council Budget Growth Money – substance Misuse) noting the correction made in the meeting to the paragraphs 1 and 18 of the report.

Resolved:            That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 15 November 2023 be approved as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting. The deadline for registering at this meeting is at 5.00pm on Monday 15 January 2024.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill out an online registration form. If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting whose details can be found at the foot of the agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The public meeting can be viewed on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

During coronavirus, we've made some changes to how we're running council meetings. See our coronavirus updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the session under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Denise Craghill presented a petition calling for the current 9am-6pm opening hours of Museum Gardens to be extended. She drew attention to the health and wellbeing benefits of free access to green spaces and noted that the Gardens were a major asset to city. Extending the hours would offer a safe and unpolluted walking route to work and school, a space for exercise and socialising on summer evenings, and help support the city centre economy. She acknowledged practical challenges and argued for a problem-solving approach with city partners to improve access.

The Executive Member confirmed that she would raise the issue at her next meeting with the York Museums Trust.

This report demonstrates how York Learning has performed in the academic year 2022/23 against the Education Inspection Framework, and approval is sought before it is sent to Ofsted on 31 January 2023.

Resolved: That the report be approved subject to the updated data as provided by the Head of York Learning.

Reason: To help monitor the service and provide sound governance arrangements.

The Executive Member considered a report outlining York Learning’s performance in the academic year 2022-23 against the Education Inspection Framework.

The Head of York Learning provided an overview, noting that the report had been compiled from submissions from each curriculum area, and then challenged by the governance board and a regional group of adult education providers. The report had been brought to the Executive Member for approval before submission to Ofsted on 31 January. She noted that there had been some problems with achievement relating mainly to attendance and retention of learners, mostly for reasons of health and wellbeing or where learners had needed to take on additional paid work or caring responsibilities. 

In response to questions from the Executive Member, officers confirmed that:

·        Work was ongoing to improve wellbeing support for learners within the service. This included a manager undertaking a mental health advocacy qualification, more targeted discussion around wellbeing in classes to encourage learners to raise issues with tutors, additional support before and after sessions to help learners catch up.

·        An in-house counselling service to be provided by counselling students was being considered. Breaks in learning and discussions with learners to identify the most appropriate time to begin their courses had been introduced.

·        Attendance was currently good and retention was over 90%, and work was being done to anticipate a potential drop-off due to exam anxiety later in the year. A readiness for learning course had been successfully tested to better prepare learners, with a focus on building confidence and writing skills, and breaking down barriers to learning.

·        Investment had been secured through the Learning Skills Improvement Fund to improve accessibility to programmes, including hybrid learning opportunities.

·        There was a wide offer in free digital skills and digital bitesize courses open to all of 19 years and over, included community learning and accredited learning options. Work was being done with Digital Friendly York to offer a menu of courses to be delivered in community settings, including using digital apps, online safety and social media. Online safety was embedded throughout the course offer.

The Head of York Learning also provided updated data received since the publication of the report as follows:

·        On p. 17, in the paragraph on ‘Adult Learning Programmes’, the figure for Achievement rates was updated to 72.2%.

·        On p. 18, the figures for ‘Education and Training Headline Information (QAR at R13)’ were updated to: Achievement: 72.2%, Pass Rate: 84.7%, and Retention: 83.5%.

·        On p. 19, the figures for ‘Headline – 16-19 Education (R13)’ were updated to: Achievement: 70.8% and Retention: 83.5%.

Resolved: That the report be approved subject to the updated data as provided by the Head of York Learning.

Reason: To help monitor the service and provide sound governance arrangements.