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 any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda. The following general personal non-prejudicial interests were declared:

Councillor Runciman            Governor of Joseph Rowntree School

                                                Governor of New Earswick Primary School

                                                Trustee of the Theatre Royal

                                                Governor of York College

Councillor Aspden                       Member of the National Union of Teachers (NUT)

                                                Teacher at Norton College, Malton, North Yorkshire

Councillor Firth                Governor of Wigginton Primary School

Wife is Member of National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)

Councillor Gunnell                       Son at York College

Councillor Merrett                        Child at St Paul’s Primary School

                                                LEA Governor of St Paul’s Primary School

Committee Member of York Chinese Cultural Association

Child uses School’s Music Service

Councillor Brooks                        Member of Association of Teachers and Lecturers

                                                Employed by City College, Manchester

Councillor Alexander            Is an employee at York St John University

Mr J Bailey                             Governor of Huntington Secondary School

                                                LEA Governor of Huntington Primary School

Dr D Sellick                           Governor of Derwent Infant & Junior School

Ms F Barclay                         Teacher at All Saints School

                                                ATL Branch Secretary for City of York

Mrs J Ellis                              Governor of Burton Green Primary School

                                                Governor of Canon Lee School

The following declarations were also declared:

Councillor Runciman declared a Personal Non-Prejudicial Interest in Agenda Item 12 (The Annual Report of the City of York Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education [SACRE]) as she was a Member of SACRE.

Councillor Aspden declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in the following items:

·        Agenda item 5 (Home to School Travel and Transport Policy) as he was a Member of the Education Appeals Panel.

·        Agenda Item 6 (Purchasing from the Voluntary Sector of Play Services) as he was a Member of SNAPPY.

·        Agenda Item 7 (Local Authority School Governor Appointments) as he was seeking appointment as a Governor.

·        Agenda Item 12 (The Annual Report of the City of York Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education [SACRE]) as he was a Member of SACRE.

Councillor Brooks declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 6 (Purchasing from the Voluntary Sector of Play Services) as she was a Member of Dunnington Parish Council.

Councillor Gunnell declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 7 (Local Authority School Governor Appointments) as she was seeking appointment as a Governor.

Councillor D’Agorne declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 8 (Establishing an Integrated Youth Service for York) as he worked with a person referred to in the papers. He left the room and took no part in the debate.

Mr M Thomas declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 9 (Revenue Budgets) as he was a representative of the Teacher’s Panel.

Dr D Sellick declared an interest in Agenda Item 12 (The Annual Report of the City of York Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education [SACRE]) as he was a Member of SACRE.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2007.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 December 2007 be approved and signed as a correct record with the following amendments:

In the list of general personal non-prejudicial interests Councillor Brooks declaration should read ‘ is employed by City College, Manchester’.

Councillor Merrett also declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 5 (Local Authority School Governor Appointments) as he was seeking appointment as a Governor. He left the room and took no part in the debate.

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 5pm the working day before the meeting.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. However the Chair agreed to hear representations from Ben Drake from Unison regarding Agenda Items 9 and 10 (Revenue and Capital Budgets 2008/09 who raised concerns regarding the proposals set out in Annexes 3 and 5 to the report. He felt that the reconfiguration of the Family Support Service and the proposed loss of a part time member of administrative staff at Hollycroft would have a detrimental impact on staff. He also reported grave concerns regarding the proposed social worker staff reduction and the deletion of the Family Group Conference in terms of impact on staff.

Councillor Healey addressed the Committee regarding Agenda Item 5 (Home to School Travel and Transport Policy). He welcomed the improvements to the policy in relation to provision of transport for children from low income families who lived more than two miles but not more than six miles from one of their three nearest qualifying schools.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of Annex B to agenda item 8 on the grounds that it is likely to reveal the identity of an individual. It also contains information relating to labour relations. This information is classed as exempt under Paragraphs 2 and 4 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:             That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Annex B to Agenda Item 8 on the grounds that it would be likely to reveal the identity of an individual. This information is classed as exempt under Paragraphs 2 and 4 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972.

This report seeks approval for a revised home to school transport policy that will come into operation from 1 September 2008. The policy reflects the new statutory  responsibilities placed on Local Authorities as a result of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

1. Approve the Home to School Transport Policy as set out in Annex A of this report.
2. Note that the Authority is required to develop a strategy that promotes a sustainable travel and transport infrastructure meeting the needs of children and young people (paragraph 6 and 7 of the report). Progress will be reported to EMAP later this year.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To implement new statutory duties arising from the Education and Inspections Act (2006).

Members considered a report that sought their approval for a revised home to school transport policy that would come into operation from 1^st September 2008. The policy reflected the new statutory responsibilities placed on Local Authorities as a result of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. This Act places additional responsibilities on local authorities and extends the right to free transport for a new group of ‘eligible children’. The following new statutory requirements had been incorporated within the proposed revised policy:

·        The provision that children aged eight, but under age 11 from loc income families must have travel arrangements made where they live more than two miles from their nearest qualifying school (Part A Paragraph 4.2 of the City of York Council Home to School Transport Policy 2008/2009).

·        The provision that children of compulsory school age who are 11 or over from low income families must have travel arrangements made to one of their three nearest qualifying schools, where they live more than two miles, but not more than six miles from that school (Part A Paragraph 4.4 of the City of York Council Home to School Transport Policy 2008/2009).

·        Extensions to the right to free transport for all children from low income groups of compulsory school age who are 11 or over in two ways – to a choice of schools within six miles of the child’s home, and to the nearest school preferred by reason of a parent’s religion or belief up to a maximum of 15 miles from the child’s home (Part C Paragraph 2.20 of the City of York Council Home to School Transport Policy 2008/2009).

The revised policy also includes guidance on transport arrangements for pupils with special educational needs, removal of transport for unruly behaviour whilst using the transport and a general duty set out in the Act for local authorities to promote the use of sustainable transport.

Members were presented with the following options:

Option 1        To approve the revised transport policy attached as Annex A to the report.

Option 2        Members to propose changes to the revised policy attached as Annex A to the report.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

1. Approve the Home to School Transport Policy as set out in Annex A of this report. ¹
2. Note that the Authority is required to develop a strategy that promotes a sustainable travel and transport infrastructure meeting the needs of children and young people (paragraph 6 and 7 of the report). Progress will be reported to EMAP later this year.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To implement new statutory duties arising from the Education and Inspections Act (2006).

This paper sets out the Government’s recent announcements from the Children, School and Families Secretary on the national play agenda and requests approval for the use of Better Play Grants for the purchase of some specific play services through service level agreements.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Agree Option 1 and award amounts for the three organisations referred to for a one year period until a full review of the commissioning process is completed and an appropriate system is adopted.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To continue funding quality play provision across the city in line with the Taking Play Forward policy recommendations without restricting opportunities to locate play funding within wider future commissioning arrangements.

Members considered a report that informed them of the Government’s recent announcements from the Children, School and Families Secretary on the national play agenda. It also requested approval for the use of Better Play Grants for the purchase of some specific play services through service level agreements.

Members considered the following options:

Option 1        In light of recent developments within the play sector, the Play Team allocate the three organisations over the £5,000 threshold a one year contract only, enabling the development of a coherent commissioning process by the Children’s Trust which will devise joined up approaches to commissioning services for children and young people.

Option 2        The Play Team look to enter into a 3-year agreement from 2008 with those organisations that clearly meet local criteria.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Agree Option 1 and award amounts for the three organisations referred to for a one year period until a full review of the commissioning process is completed and an appropriate system is adopted.¹

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To continue funding quality play provision across the city in line with the Taking Play Forward policy recommendations without restricting opportunities to locate play funding within wider future commissioning arrangements.

This report provides information about the current position with regard to vacancies for LA seats on governing bodies, lists current nominations for those vacancies, as detailed in Annex 1, and requests the appointment, or re-appointment, of the listed nominees.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Appoint or re-appoint the Local Authority Governors to fill vacant seats as proposed in Annex 1 to the report.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To ensure that Local Authority places on school governing bodies continue to be effectively filled.

Members considered a report that informed them of the current position with regard to vacancies for Local Authority seats on governing bodies, listed current nominations for those vacancies (detailed in Annex 1 to the report) and requested the appointment or reappointment of the listed nominees.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Appoint or re-appoint the Local Authority Governors to fill vacant seats as proposed in Annex 1 to the report.¹

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To ensure that Local Authority places on school governing bodies continue to be effectively filled.

This report summarises the progress towards establishing an integrated service for young people in York, since the decision in principle at the Executive meeting on 27 February 2007 to adopt a directly-managed model when responsibility for the Connexions service transfers to Local Authorities in April 2008.

Advice of the Advisory Panel:

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the detailed work that has been undertaken to plan for the new integrated service for young people in York since the decision in principle to bring the Connexions service in-house, including wide consultation with stakeholders, staff and young people, and intensive negotiations with the current service provider.

·        Note the financial and other risks that exist, particularly around the TUPE matters that are still a matter of dispute with the current provider, the actions taken to minimise such risks, and to approve the actions and remit described in Annex B to the report.

·        Bring the Connexions service in-house from 1 April 2008 and the necessary steps be taken to effect a smooth transfer of staff and functions from that date.

·        Approve the proposed structure for the new service that is set out at Annex B.

·        Note the IT and property implications and the proposed upgrades to accommodation at Kingswater, Fulford and Moor Lane; and to approve in principle the expenditure of the one-off costs set out in Annex A, subject to reasonable Officer discretion over the detailed works schedules and the priorities within them.

·        Agree that three minor but significant contracts with third parties that are currently held by Connexions (described in Annex D) be rolled over for a further year pending a fuller impact assessment.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To ensure that the Council discharges its statutory obligations in the most efficient and effective manner, consistent with the vision of a professional, holistic, locality-based service for young people and to ensure that continuity of service is provided.

Members considered a report that informed them of the progress made towards establishing an integrated service for young people in York since the decision in principle at the Executive meeting on 27 February 2007 to adopt a directly managed model when responsibility for the Connexions Service transfers to Local Authorities in April 2008.

The report analyses the financial, Human Resources (HR) and other risks associated with the transfer and advises Members of the steps taken to minimise these. The report also outlines some of the detailed planning work that has taken place.

Members discussed the proposed upgrades to accommodation at Kingswater, Fulford and Moor Lane and the possibilities of using accommodation at George Hudson Street and Piccadilly.

Members agreed that the smaller contracts were very significant and were pleased to see that these would continue as part of the new service.

Advice of the Advisory Panel:

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the detailed work that has been undertaken to plan for the new integrated service for young people in York since the decision in principle to bring the Connexions service in-house, including wide consultation with stakeholders, staff and young people, and intensive negotiations with the current service provider.

·        Note the financial and other risks that exist, particularly around the TUPE matters that are still a matter of dispute with the current provider, the actions taken to minimise such risks, and to approve the actions and remit described in Annex B to the report.

·        Recommend to the Executive that the Connexions service be brought in house from 1 April 2008 and the necessary steps be taken to effect a smooth transfer of staff and functions from that date.¹

·        Approve the proposed structure for the new service that is set out at Annex B.²

·        Note the IT and property implications and the proposed upgrades to accommodation at Kingswater, Fulford and Moor Lane; and to approve in principle the expenditure of the one-off costs set out in Annex A, subject to reasonable Officer discretion over the detailed works schedules and the priorities within them.³

·        Agree that three minor but significant contracts with third parties that are currently held by Connexions (described in Annex D) be rolled over for a further year pending a fuller impact assessment.⁴

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To ensure that the Council discharges its statutory obligations in the most efficient and effective manner, consistent with the vision of a professional, holistic, locality-based service for young people and to ensure that continuity of service is provided.

This report presents the 2008/09 budget proposals for Children’s Services.  It includes:

·         The revenue budget for 2007/08 (Annex 1) to show the original budgets.

·         The base budget for 2008/09 including the 2007/08 budget rolled forward and adjusted.

·         The provisional allocation of pay and price increases for the portfolio.

·         Budget service pressure costs and savings proposals for the portfolio area (Annexes 2 and 3).

·         Fees and Charges proposals (Annex 4).

·         Other revenue budget options for consultation (Annex 5).

·         The existing approved capital programme (Annex 6).

·         Proposals for new capital schemes (Annex 7).

·         Residential Homes, Foster Carers, Sharing Care, Adoption and Residence Order Weekly Allowances (Annex 8).

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Consider whether the budget proposals are in line with the Council’s priorities.

·        Note the comments made on the budget proposals for savings and growth which have been prepared by Officers and are contained in the report and are intended to form part of the Council’s budget to be considered on 12 February 2008.

·        Note the comments made on the areas for consultation for the revenue budget contained in this report, which may form part of the Council’s budget to be considered on 12 February 2008.

·        Note the comments made on the capital proposals which have been prepared by Officers and are contained in this report which are intended to form part of the Council’s budget to be considered on 12 February 2008.

·        Note the budget proposals for consultation for Children’s Services for 2008/09 contained in the report.

·        Note and welcome additional areas of Government funding in relation to the personal learning agenda and tackling pockets of deprivation.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  As part of the consultation on the Children’s Services budget for 2008/09.

Members considered a report that presented them with the budget proposals for Children’s Services. It included:

·        The revenue budget for 2007/08 to show the original budgets.

·        The base budget for 2008/09 including the 2007/08 budget rolled forward and adjusted.

·        The provisional allocation of pay and price increases in the portfolio.

·        Budget service pressure costs and savings proposals for the portfolio area.

·        Fees and Charges proposals.

·        Other revenue budget options for consultation.

·        The existing approved capital programme.

·        Proposals for new capital schemes.

·        Residential homes, Foster carers, Sharing Care, Adoption and Residence Order Weekly Allowances.

The Director of Learning, Culture and Children’s Services responded to the Unison representative and stated that in relation to the reconfiguration of the Family Support Service there may be an opportunity to maintain the service through a grant funding scheme.

Mr M Thomas stated that the representatives of the Teacher’s Panel vigorously opposed the suggestion that there should be a 5% reduction in the Panel’s budget. The budget provided by the Local Authority was used to provide facilities time for three teacher unions and two head teacher unions. It also provided a part-time secretary for the Teacher’s Panel. Mr Thomas said that they were facing an ever increasing workload but the possibility of a reduced budget to deal with it.

The Labour Group and the Green Group reserved their positions on the budget proposals.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the budget proposals.

·        Note and welcome additional areas of Government funding in relation to the personal learning agenda and tackling pockets of deprivation.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  As part of the consultation on the Children’s Services budget for 2008/09.

This report has been amalgamated with the Revenue Budget 2008/09 report above.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Consider whether the budget proposals are in line with the Council’s priorities.

·        Note the comments made on the budget proposals for savings and growth which have been prepared by Officers and are contained in the report and are intended to form part of the Council’s budget to be considered on 12 February 2008.

·        Note the comments made on the areas for consultation for the revenue budget contained in this report, which may form part of the Council’s budget to be considered on 12 February 2008.

·        Note the comments made on the capital proposals which have been prepared by Officers and are contained in this report which are intended to form part of the Council’s budget to be considered on 12 February 2008.

·        Note the budget proposals for consultation for Children’s Services for 2008/09 contained in the report.

·        Note and welcome additional areas of Government funding in relation to the personal learning agenda and tackling pockets of deprivation.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  As part of the consultation on the Children’s Services budget for 2008/09.

The report for the Capital Budgets had been amalgamated with the report for the Revenue Budgets therefore Minute 54 refers.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the budget proposals.

·        Note and welcome additional areas of Government funding in relation to the personal learning agenda and tackling pockets of deprivation.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  As part of the consultation on the Children’s Services budget for 2008/09.

This report recommends changes to some factors within the Local Management of Schools (LMS) Funding Formula prior to April 2008.  The report sets out the responses received from schools during the recent consultation exercise and the resulting recommendations of the Schools Forum

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Agree the following in relation to the Local Management of Schools (LMS) Funding Formula for implementation from April 2008:

(a)   That the current balance of primary to secondary funding (on a per pupil basis) be maintained throughout the 3-year budget period 2008-11. The only exceptions to this would be additional national allocations specifically targeted at a particular sector, or new delegations that are already being allocated to a specific sector or group of schools outside of the formula funding. Within these parameters it is further recommended that any above inflation headroom available within the primary sector be allocated in the first instance to the Reception Age Weighted Pupil Units (AWPU), with the aim of lowering the assumed ration of pupil to teachers to 1 teacher and 1 teaching assistant for every 26 pupils over a period of time.

(b)   Transfer School Improvement funding in to the LMS Funding Formula on the following basis:

o       Nursery, primary, secondary and special school lumps sums are increased by £3,356 plus any normal inflationary increase.

o       Reception, key stage 1,2,3 and 4 AWPUs are each increased by £10.41 plus any normal inflationary increase.

o       Nursery unit factors (based on multiples of 13 part-time places) are each increased by £67.67 (i.e. £10.41 x 13/2) plus any normal inflationary increase.

o       Special school place values are each increased by £20.82 plus any normal inflationary increase (and then subject to any further changes that are agreed as part of the review of special school funding).

(c)   Transfer Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) funding in the LMS Funding Formula with an additional LMS Funding Formula factor being established for NQTs at a rate of £700 per NQT per term, plus the standard teacher’s pay inflationary uplift applied to all other areas of the funding formula. Payment will be made on actual basis termly in arrears.

(d)   Redistribution per pupil and lump sum funding with the Additional Education Needs (AEN), Non-statemented and Statemented Special Educational Needs (SEN) factors on the following basis.

o       A 10% redistribution of per pupil and lump sum funding in to the Free School Meal (FSM) deprivation indicator.

o       A 10% redistribution of per pupil and lump sum funding in to the Low Prior Attainment indicators.

o       Establishing separate SEN Contingencies for the primary and secondary sectors of £50k each, to be allocated annually by the Schools Forum.

o       Including Looked After Children (LAC) as an additional indictor within the AEN factor.

(e)   That no further changes be made to the secondary personalisation factor for the period 2008-11.

(f)     That the primary personalisation factor should be changed so that funding is allocated in the same basis as the existing secondary allocations, i.e:

o       15% based on pupil numbers

o       15% based a lump sum for each school

o       50% based on low prior attainment

o       20% based on high prior attainment

(g)   That further research be undertaken before any move to using the Index  ...  view the full decision text for item 56.

Members considered a report that recommended changes to some factors within the Local Management of Schools (LMS) Funding Formula prior to April 2008. The report also set out the responses received from schools during the recent consultation exercise and the resulting recommendations of the Schools Forum.

Members asked for the actual costs of funding newly qualified teachers (NQT). Officers said this was £1,1000 per term of which funding from the LMS was £700 per term.

Members noted the tremendous response received from the local schools and thanked them for all their hard work in connection with the consultation process.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Agree the following in relation to the Local Management of Schools (LMS) Funding Formula for implementation from April 2008:¹

(a)   That the current balance of primary to secondary funding (on a per pupil basis) be maintained throughout the 3-year budget period 2008-11. The only exceptions to this would be additional national allocations specifically targeted at a particular sector, or new delegations that are already being allocated to a specific sector or group of schools outside of the formula funding. Within these parameters it is further recommended that any above inflation headroom available within the primary sector be allocated in the first instance to the Reception Age Weighted Pupil Units (AWPU), with the aim of lowering the assumed ration of pupil to teachers to 1 teacher and 1 teaching assistant for every 26 pupils over a period of time.

(b)   Transfer School Improvement funding in to the LMS Funding Formula on the following basis:

o       Nursery, primary, secondary and special school lumps sums are increased by £3,356 plus any normal inflationary increase.

o       Reception, key stage 1,2,3 and 4 AWPUs are each increased by £10.41 plus any normal inflationary increase.

o       Nursery unit factors (based on multiples of 13 part-time places) are each increased by £67.67 (i.e. £10.41 x 13/2) plus any normal inflationary increase.

o       Special school place values are each increased by £20.82 plus any normal inflationary increase (and then subject to any further changes that are agreed as part of the review of special school funding).

(c)   Transfer Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) funding in the LMS Funding Formula with an additional LMS Funding Formula factor being established for NQTs at a rate of £700 per NQT per term, plus the standard teacher’s pay inflationary uplift applied to all other areas of the funding formula. Payment will be made on actual basis termly in arrears.

(d)   Redistribution per pupil and lump sum funding with the Additional Education Needs (AEN), Non-statemented and Statemented Special Educational Needs (SEN) factors on the following basis.

o       A 10% redistribution of per pupil and lump sum funding in to the Free School Meal (FSM) deprivation indicator.

o       A 10% redistribution of per pupil and lump sum funding in to the Low Prior Attainment indicators.

o       Establishing separate SEN Contingencies for the primary and secondary sectors of £50k each, to be allocated annually  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

The report attached as Annex 1 provides members and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority with details of the work of the City of  York Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) from January to December 2007.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the Annual Report of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE)

·        Note the role SACRE plays in enhancing children’s understanding of moral, social, spiritual and cultural development.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  Members of SACRE have requested that the annual report be presented to the Executive Members for Children’s Services and Advisory Panel meeting.

Members received a report which detailed the work of the City of York Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) from January to December 2007.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to:

·        Note the Annual Report of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE)

·        Note the role SACRE plays in enhancing children’s understanding of moral, social, spiritual and cultural development.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  Members of SACRE have requested that the annual report be presented to the Executive Members for Children’s Services and Advisory Panel meeting.