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

                                                            Trustee of the Theatre Royal

                                                            Governor of New Earswick Primary School

                                                            Governor of York College

Councillor AspdenMember of National Union of Teachers (NUT)

                                                            Teacher at Norton College, Malton, North Yorkshire

                                                            Governor of the Pupil Referral Unit, Fulford

Councillor FirthGovernor of Wigginton Primary School

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

Councillor GunnellSon at York College

                                                            Governor at the Pupil Referral Unit, Fulford

Councillor MerrettChild at St Paul’s Primary School

                                                            LEA Governor at St Paul’s Primary School

                                                            Committee member of York Chinese Cultural Association

                                                            Child uses Schools Music Service

Councillor D’AgorneGovernor of Fishergate School

                                                            Employee of York College Student Services (Information Advice and Guidance for Young People)

                                                            Daughter at All Saints School

Councillor BrooksMember of Association of Teachers and Lecturers

                                                            Employed by City College, Manchester

Councillor AlexanderIs an employee at York St John’s University

Mr J Bailey                                         Governor of Huntington Secondary School

                                                            LEA Governor of Huntington Primary School

Dr D Sellick                                       Governor of Derwent Infant and Junior School

Ms F Barclay                                     Teacher at All Saints School and ATL Branch Secretary for City of York

Mrs J Ellis                                          Governor of Burton Green Primary School

                                                            Governor of Canon Lee School

Mrs A Burn                                         Headteacher & Governor of Yearsley Grove School

                                                            Secretary of the York branch of the NAHT

Ms B ReaganTeacher at Joseph Rowntree School

                                                            SENCO, Secretary of York Association of the National Union of Teachers

Mr M ThomasSecretary of York Association of NASUWT

The following interests were also declared:

Councillor Merrett declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 6 (Children’s Services 2008/09 Service Plans) as he was an honorary member of the Cyclists’ Touring Club and a member of Cycling England.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 21^st January 2008.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting held on 21^st January 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 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.

This report seeks Members approval of the City of York coordinated schemes and admissions policies for both primary and secondary schools for the 2009/10 academic year.  It also seeks the approval of the proposed individual school maximum admission limits for the academic year beginning in September 2009.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Children’s Services be advised to:

·        Approve the City of York co-ordinated schemes and admissions policies for both primary and secondary schools for the 2009/10 academic year as set out in Annex A to the report.

·        Approve the proposed individual school maximum admission limits for the academic year beginning in September 2009 as set out in Annex B to the report.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To meet the statutory requirements of the School Admissions Code of Practice.

Members considered a report that sought approval for the coordinated schemes and admissions policies for both primary and secondary schools for the 2009/10 academic year and approval of the proposed individual school maximum admission limits for the academic year beginning in 2009.

Officers updated Members of the Committee with information regarding the admission offers for September 2008. There would be 1880 pupils transferring from primary to secondary school in September 2008; of these 92% had received their first preference of school and 98% had received either their first or second preference. 36 parents/pupils did not receive any of their preferences but this was probably due to the fact that they had only specified one school on the application form. In comparison to national figures York had offered a large amount of pupils/parents a preferred choice of secondary school. Eight out of the 10 secondary schools in York had reached their admission capacity.

Members asked questions in relation to the procedure followed when families move into a school’s catchment area after the cut off date for applications and Officer’s responded that each case would be looked at on its own merits. There would also be a right of appeal against any decision made.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Children’s Services be advised to:

·        Approve the City of York co-ordinated schemes and admissions policies for both primary and secondary schools for the 2009/10 academic year as set out in Annex A to the report.

·        Approve the proposed individual school maximum admission limits for the academic year beginning in September 2009 as set out in Annex B to the report.¹

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  To meet the statutory requirements of the School Admissions Code of Practice.

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 for Children’s Services 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 the 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.

Members asked that the following corrections be made to Annex 1 of the report:

Burnhome Community College

Mr I Cuthbertson is affiliated to the Liberal Democrats.¹

Millthorpe School

Mr A Swain is affiliated to the Green Party.²

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Children’s Services be advised to:

·        Appoint or re-appoint the Local Authority Governors to fill vacant seats as proposed in Annex 1 to the report.³

Decision of the Executive Member

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

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

This report seeks approval for the Service Plans for council services that are wholly or partially funded from the children’s services budget.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Members for Children’s Services and Youth and Social Inclusion be advised to:

·        Approve the Service Plans

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  In order to ensure that managers in Learning, Culture and Children’s Services are in a position to implement the strategic priorities for the directorate.

Members considered a report that sought their approval for Council services that are wholly or partially funded from the Children’s Services budget.

Members discussed the following

·        The fact that other corporate priorities than those mentioned, especially sustainability, were relevant to theses Service Plans and this could have been reflected within the Corporate Priorities section of the report.

·        In relation to Health and Lifestyles (School Improvement and Staff Development Service Arm) the quality of the provision needed to be illustrated and also needed to appear within the performance indicators.

·        In relation to the Partnerships and Early Intervention Service Arm it was understood that as this was a new service there were few performance indicators

·        In relation to the Children and Families Service Arm some Members thought that the objectives for the Youth Offending Team (YOT) could be better reflected in the documentation.

·        In relation to the Lifelong Learning and Culture Service Arm some Members felt that ‘casual sports’ and ‘casual access’ to schools had been overlooked in favour of clubs. Walking and cycling were also classed as important activities and work was needed to develop this.

·        Some Members felt that there needed to be additional performance indicator areas and that there should be local and national comparators.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Members for Children’s Services and Youth and Social Inclusion be advised to:

·        Approve the Service Plans subject to account being taken of all the bulleted points raised by Members.¹  [As amended at the meeting on 10 June 2008.]

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  In order to ensure that managers in Learning, Culture and Children’s Services are in a position to implement the strategic priorities for the directorate.