Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda. A list of general personal interests previously declared are attached.

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 list of general personal interests circulated with the agenda.

Councillor Funnell declared a personal interest in the business generally, as a governor of Burnholme Community College.

Councillor Bowgett declared a personal interest in the business generally, as a governor of St Paul’s Nursery and a parent of children at St Paul’s Primary School and Millthorpe School.

Mr Bill Schofield declared a personal interest in the business generally, as a governor at Knavesmire Primary School and a parent of children at Knavesmire Primary School and Millthorpe School.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 17June 2008.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 17 June 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 Committee’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 Tuesday 29 July 2008 at 5:00pm.

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

This report provides an update on the implementation status of the recommendations arising from a previously completed scrutiny review of  the ‘Provision of Facilities for Young People in the City’.

Members received a report which provided an update on the implementation status of the recommendations arising from a previously completed scrutiny review of  the ‘Provision of Facilities for Young People in the City’.

A verbal update was provided regarding the implementation of recommendations 16 b) and c).  Recommendation 16 b) had not been implemented as the costs of extending the YoZone card to all young people aged 11-19 could not be met from the existing budget.  In relation to recommendation 16 c), it was advised that a review of home to school transport would be reported to the Executive Member and Advisory Panel (EMAP) in autumn 2008.  However Members clarified that this recommendation related to transport to the city centre and youth facilities for young people living in rural areas, rather than home to school transport.

The Assistant Director (Partnerships & Early Intervention) agreed to circulate the attachments referred to in Annex A to the Committee in due course and also to provide the full wording of the update relating to recommendation 12 c), which was not included owing to a document formatting error.

Members were particularly keen to see recommendation 4 a) implemented, so that processes could be put in place to ensure they had the opportunity to attend school lessons on a regular basis.  With regards to recommendation 4 d), they requested one further review by the Committee to focus on increasing the participation of children from deprived backgrounds.  In relation to recommendations 3 a) and b), a further review was suggested to look at the extent to which young people’s views were taken into account outside of the Learning, Culture & Children’s Services (LCCS) Directorate.

With regards to recommendation 6, it was requested that a policy should be drawn up for the provision of young people’s services in new developments and Members suggested that this should be submitted as a possible future scrutiny topic.

The Assistant Director (Partnerships & Early Intervention) agreed to bring recommendation 18 to the attention of the Children & Young People’s Champion and the Young People’s Working Group, and Members suggested that the Champion and Working Group Chair should be invited to attend when the Committee next reviewed the outstanding recommendations.

RESOLVED:(i) That recommendations 3 a), 3 b), 4 a), 4 c), 4 d),  6, 15, 16 b), 16 c) and 18 be brought back for further review in March 2009;¹

                        (ii) That the remaining recommendations be signed off.

REASON:                  To raise awareness of those recommendations which still have to be implemented.

This report presents the draft final report for the School Governors Review incorporating the changes requested by Members at the last meeting. These are shown as tracked changes for ease of viewing.

Members received a report which presented the draft final report for the School Governors Review incorporating the changes requested at the last meeting. These were shown as tracked changes for ease of viewing.

RESOLVED:(i) That the draft final report and recommendations be agreed, with the following revisions:¹

                        a) To rephrase the second sentence of paragraph 5 of the report to read, “Members acknowledged that there was no issue around current clerking arrangements in extended schools and therefore agreed not to proceed with Part B of the review”;

b)                 To amend the end of recommendation b) at paragraph 8 of the report and recommendation iii) (a) at paragraph 28 of the report to read, “and monitor diversity”;

c)                  To add the word “and” before the wording, “it ran the risk of duplicating the existing profile”, at paragraph 17 of the report;

d)                 To amend the first sentence of paragraph 18 to refer to “local parish council’s and church newsletters”;

e)                 To adjust the paragraph numbering of the report.

REASON:                  To finalise the report and recommendations.

To consider and agree the updated workplan for the work of the Education Scrutiny Committee.

Members considered and agreed the updated workplan for the work of the Education Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:(i) That the workplan be agreed, with the addition of  an informal meeting to be held on 13 August at 5.30 pm to discuss and raise questions on the suggested topics on Extended Schools Provision (Community Use) and 14-19 Specialised Diplomas.

REASON:                  To progress the Committee’s work.