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. The following general personal non- prejudicial interests were declared.

Councillor Runciman             Governor of Joseph Rowntree School

                                                Trustee of the Theatre Royal

Councillor Alexander            Employee at York St John’s University

Councillor Aspden                Governor of Knavesmire Primary School

                                                Member of National Union of Teachers (NUT)

                                                Teacher at Norton College, Malton, North Yorkshire

Councillor Firth                      Governor of Wigginton Primary School

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

Councillor Gunnell                 So at Millthorpe School

Councillor Merrett                  Child at St Paul’s Primary School

Councillor D’Agorne             Governor of Fishergate School

                                                York College employee – Information Advice & Guidance for Young People

Councillor Brooks                 Member of Association of Teachers and Lecturers

                                                Lecturer employed by City College, Manchester

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                             Head teacher and Governor of Yearsley Grove School

                                                Secretary of the York branch of the NAHT

Ms B Reagan                        Teacher at Joseph Rowntree School

                                                SENCO Secretary of York Association of the National Union of Teachers

Mr M Thomas                        Secretary of York Association of NASUWT

Councillor Merrett declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 7 (School Meals: Increase in Prices) as his daughter has school meals. He left the room and took no part in the discussions.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12th June 2007.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting held on 12^th June 2007 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 18th July 2007 at 5pm.

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

Councillor Healey spoke on Agenda Item 8 (Options for the Selection of a Children and Young People’s Champion).  Councillor Healey felt that option 1, 2 and 3 in the report were not attractive to young people and therefore proposed a fourth option. He said that, utilising the recent investment in ICT across York’s Schools, that an interactive event along the lines of ‘Pop Idol’ for the candidates presentation and the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ for the voting. The event would be web delivered with the children and young people being given an opportunity to put questions to the candidates. He also said that York St John’s University would be happy to be involved in the project.

Councillor Scott, the current Children and Young People’s Champion, spoke on Agenda Item 8 (Options for the Selection of a Children and Young People’s Champion.) He was disappointed that he had not been consulted on the paper and felt that there had not been enough consultation with young people.  He said that there would be logistical and legal problems if a young and/or independent person was nominated. An elected Member would be able to speak at Full Council without being bound by the three minute rule linked to public participation. He felt that the recommended option should be option 1 with some amendment. He supported the use of ICT in the election but was conscious that this could create logistical problems within school timetables. He also suggested that his term of office as Children’s Champion be extended until May in order for the selection process to be arranged properly.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of annex 2 (School Meals: Increase in Prices) to agenda item 7 on the grounds that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). This information is classed as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

RESOLVED:             It was agreed that the press and public be excluded from the meeting prior to consideration of annex 2 (School Meals: Increase in Prices) on the grounds that it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (including the Authority). This information is classed as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

This report summarises the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Green Paper on ‘Raising Expectations: Staying in Education and Training Post 16’ which was published in April 2007. Although it is for information only, the report provides essential background information for members to advise on decisions about the future pattern of Post 16 provision in the city.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the Green Paper and the response of the Local Authority be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:            To inform future decisions about the provision of opportunites for 16-19 year olds in the city.

Members considered a report that summarised the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Green Paper on ‘Raising Expectations: Staying in Education and Training Post 16’ which was published in April 2007. Although it is for information only, the report provides essential background information for members to advise on decisions about the future pattern of Post 16 provision in the City.

The Green Paper proposes:

• All young people should participate in education and training until their 18^th birthday…
• at school, in a college, in Work Based Learning (WBL) or through accredited training provided by an employer…
• working towards accredited qualifications…
• attending full time (at least 16 hours per week) if not in employment…
• and part time (about  a day per week) if employed for a t least 20 hours per week.

Members discussed the importance of how this would link with the proposed development within York itself and felt that it was difficult to predict what jobs would be in York in 7 years time . They discussed the part that apprenticeships would play and felt that many of the industries that would normally provide this kind of training were in decline.

Members discussed the specialised diplomas that were being offered in York from September 2008; these were to be in Health Care & Society and Manufacturing. Officers reported that there was also approval for two other specialised diplomas to start in 2009. Members agreed that it was important that the courses offered should reflect the future jobs that would be available in York.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the Green Paper and the response of the Local Authority be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:            To inform future decisions about the provision of opportunities for 16-19 year olds in the city.

This report seeks the approval of the Executive Members in respect of the proposed individual school maximum admission limits for the academic year beginning in September 2008.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the proposed individual school maximum admission limits for the academic year beginning in September 2008, as detailed in Annexes A and B of the report, be approved.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:            To comply with statutory requirements.

Members considered a report that proposed the individual school maximum admission limits for the academic year beginning in September 2008.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the proposed individual school maximum admission limits for the academic year beginning in September 2008, as detailed in Annexes A and B of the report, be approved.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:            To comply with statutory requirements.

This report describes the financial position regarding the school meal service provided by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC). The report seeks the views of the Executive Members regarding options to address the significant loss that is being incurred on this contract. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option 3 be approved, increasing the selling price of primary school meals to £1.90 in October 2007;

(ii)     That it be agreed that the Local Authority contribute to the joint review of the school meals service and options for future delivery, as proposed by North Yorkshire County Council.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:            To ensure the continuation of the school meals service provided by North Yorkshire County Council.

Members considered a report  relating to the financial position regarding the school meal service provided by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC). The report asked for the views of the Executive Members regarding options to address the significant loss that is being incurred on this contract.

It was reported that negotiations with NYCC regarding this year’s price increase had been delayed due to uncertainty regarding the costs arising from the Job Evaluation (JE) exercise that has now been completed in NYCC. It was noted that 60% of the cost of a school meal was labour cost.

Despite the efforts of the catering staff and staff in many schools, the take-up rate of hot meals in primary schools in York varies from 16% to 61% with an average of around 33% in 2006/2007. The price of a school meal in York was not subsidised therefore the prices in York were quite high.

Members felt that the financial problems needed to be addressed but without taking away any nutritional value from the meals provided.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option 3 be approved, increasing the selling price of primary school meals to £1.90 in October 2007;

(ii)     That it be agreed that the Local Authority contribute to the joint review of the school meals service and options for future delivery, as proposed by North Yorkshire County Council.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:            To ensure the continuation of the school meals service provided by North Yorkshire County Council.

This report reviews the process used in 2006 to select a Champion for Children and Young People and asks the Executive Member to determine the arrangements for the coming year.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That The Children and Young People’s Champion remain an elected Member

(ii)         That a new Member Champion for Children and Young People be elected as soon as possible

(iii)       That Officers explore the possibilities of an ICT based election

(iv)        That the issues regarding process and fairness that arose in the last election be addressed

(v)          That the format of the ICT process be delegated to Officers and the Executive Members and Shadow Executive Members for Children’s Services and Youth and Social Inclusion.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:            To ensure that a cross-section of children and young people have an opportunity to talk with the candidates face to face, as well as extending the option to vote to the maximum amount of children and young people at a reasonable cost.

Members considered a report that reviewed the process used in 2006 to select a Champion for Children and Young People and asks the Executive Member to determine the arrangements for the coming year.

Although this appointment has been a success, some criticisms were made of the selection process, most notably that there were no clear election rules, as a consequence of which young people did not all have a similar understanding of the process or an equal opportunity to make their voice heard. There was also a lack of clarity about the conduct of the hustings and the publication of election material.

The review was also asked to consider whether the post might be opened up to an independent person, rather than an elected Member.

At a recent meeting of the Young People’s Working Group the following recommendations were made to the Executive Members for Children’s Services and Advisory Panel:

(i)                 That, due to the Council’s Constitution, the Children’s and Young People’s Champion should be an elected Member, as the Constitution could not easily be changed

(ii)               That Councillor Scott’s term as Children’s and Young People’s Champion be extended until May 2008 until the process of selection has been approved

(iii)             That the election of the Children’s and Young Person’s Champion be moved to May rather than October

(iv)              That Officers bring a report to the next meeting of the Young Person’s Working Group regarding other options for the selection of a Children’s and Young People’s Champion including the possibility of electronic voting, making option 1 in the current report more feasible (especially financially)

The Director of Learning, Culture and Children’s Services clarified that there had been consultation with young people and it was from their comments that it had been decided to recommend that an independent person be selected as the next Champion for Children and Young People.  

The following points were raised in discussion:

• There were logistical problems with schools running the elections that needed to be overcome
• There were further logistical problems around the possibility of electronic voting. Schools were already stretched and it was felt that it would be difficult for children to access any material to do with the selection of the Champion within lesson times
• Some Members, who had spoken with young people regarding the selection of a Children and Young People’s Champion, reported back that the young people thought that an elected Member could not be impartial as they were affiliated to a political party. It was the young people who wanted an independent person as the next Champion
• It was noted that young people felt that they would like to move towards a more formal election process
• Some Members felt that an independent person would not have as much authority to support young people as an elected Member
• The Council Constitution says that Champions should be elected Members. It was felt that it was too short notice to ask for a review of the constitution but this could be done at a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services noted that Patrick Scott, Director of Learning, Culture & Children’s Services and Jenny Vickers, Assistant Director (Standards & Quality), Learning Culture & Children’s Services were both retiring and thanked them for the service they had provided to the City particularly in relation to young people. The Committee joined the Executive Member in their thanks.