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 Merrett declared a personal interest in the business generally, as a parent of a child who uses the school music service.

Councillor Brooks declared a personal interest in the business generally as a Member of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. Employee of Manchester College.

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

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 30 July 2008.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes from the meeting held on 30 July 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 Monday 8 September 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 Members with an update on the implementation of recommendations made as a result of a scrutiny review of ‘Extended Schools’, completed in September 2006.

Members considered a report that updated them on the implementation of recommendations made as a result of a scrutiny review of ‘Extended Schools’, completed in September 2006.

Members considered each recommendation and agreed to write them all off as fully implemented.

RESOLVED: That the contents of the report be noted and that all the recommendations be signed off as fully implemented.

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

This feasibility report presents information on the Extended Schools Agenda and asks Members to consider whether they wish to carry out a scrutiny review of this topic looking specifically at Quality and Take-up of Provision, and Community Use.  

Members considered a feasibility report that presented information on the Extended Schools Agenda. Members considered whether they wished to carry out a scrutiny review of this topic looking specifically at Quality and Take-up of Provision and Community Use.

Members received a verbal update from officers and were informed that currently 99.6% of primary schools and 100% of secondary schools were open from 8:00am until 6:00pm.

Members discussed the current Extended Schools agenda and what remit and key objectives they would like to set. Whilst making a decision Members took into consideration:

Ø     The extended schools agenda.

Ø     The core offers.

Ø     The current extended provision in York Schools.

Ø     The accessibility, timing, location and charging levels and whether it adds up to a genuine 8am to 6pm service.

Ø     Quality of what was provided, how this was monitored and evaluated.

Ø     Urban areas.

Ø     Primary and Secondary Schools.

Ø     Age ranges.

In answer to Members questions on affordability, officers informed Members that they would be bringing a paper on Hob Moor Neighborhood Nursery (Progress Report) to the Children's Services EMAP on 4th December 08. This report would include cost implications and Members requested that the Committee review the report before it was submitted to EMAP.

To assist Members with the review officers invited them to join the Extended Services Steering Group.  It was agreed that one Member would attend the group whilst the review was in process.

After a detailed discussion Members agreed to review the services available in Primary Schools covering age range 5 to 11.

The following remit and key objectives were agreed, with a completion timescale of 6 months:

Remit

To contribute to the development of processes aimed at ensuring a high quality of extended school provision, in order to maximise accessibility.

Key Objectives

1. Examine the proposed role and composition of the Multi-Agency Steering Group to confirm its functions are fit for purpose and that the appropriate partners and Directorates are involved

2. Assess affordability, quality and take up of childcare and activities for Children and Young People (core offer 1, aged 5 to 11) and identify ways of ensuring their sustainability. 

Members discussed how the review would be most efficiently undertaken and some suggestions received were:

Ø      Survey existing and potential service users

Ø      Discussion focus groups, talk to users and potential users to explore issues in more depth.

Cost implications associated with the above methods for gathering information were a concern and it was suggested an application for extra funds be drafted for submission to SMC in due course. 

RESOLVED: i) That the Education Scrutiny Committee proceed with this review.

                        ii) That a scoping report be submitted to the next meeting covering the agreed remit and key objectives on the Extended Schools Agenda

iii) That the Committee review the paper on Hob Moor Neighborhood Nursery (Progress Report) before it is submitted to Children’s Services EMAP on 4^th December.

iv) That one Member, still to be agreed, would attend the Extended Services Steering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

This feasibility report presents information on 14–19 Diplomas and asks Members to consider whether they wish to carry out a scrutiny review of this topic.

Members considered a report that presented information on 14-19 Diplomas and whether they wished to carry out a scrutiny review of this topic.

Members received a verbal presentation which covered:

        i.            Context – local, regional and national – including the city-wide strategy

      ii.            Planning diplomas, including match with city economic drivers, delivery of diplomas,  functional skills and the future for diplomas in York

    iii.            Machinery of Government changes and the role of the LA

4. Outcomes

After a detailed discussion Members took into consideration the information within the report and the rapid reforms to be introduced in York this year. Members agreed that the decision on whether to proceed with a review of this topic be deferred for six months to enable the essential activity to be completed allowing the Committee to better identify the specific areas of concern and therefore enabling a robust remit to be agreed for a review.

It was also agreed that a progress report focusing on diplomas and Machinery of Government  Changes be given in six months time.

RESOLVED:  i) That the decision on whether to proceed with a review of this topic be deferred for six months to enable the position to be properly assessed at that time.

ii)That an update report be received in six months time to help inform Members.

REASON:            To enable the essential activity to be completed allowing the Committee to better identify the specific areas of concern and therefore enabling a robust remit to be agreed for a review

To consider and agree the updated work plan for the work of the Education Scrutiny Committee and to receive an extract from the Executive Forward Plan of items for the Executive Member for Children and Young People’s Services and Advisory Panel.

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

Some Members expressed concerns that the forward plan items for the Children and Young People’s Services EMAP had already gone to Committee but officers explained the difficulties involved with the timescales for publication of the forward plan fortnightly in relation to publication of the agenda for this meeting.

RESOLVED:  i) That the workplan be agreed.

ii) That the Committee continues to receive details of relevant forward plan items.

REASON: To progress the Committee’s workplan.