Agenda item

This Interim report looks at the Extended Schools Agenda and Members are asked to note and provide comments, agree any further information required for the first objective and agree any amendments to the annexed documents A and B.

Members considered an interim report on the scrutiny review on the Extended Schools Agenda as registered by Councillor Merrett. The remit for the topic had been agreed in September 2008 and a scoping report had been considered in October 2008. Details of the methodology and timetable agreed were set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

Those Members who attended the first meeting of the Multi Agency Steering Group held on 4 November 2008 reported that there had been wide representation from Children’s Services and the PCT at the meeting but no private sector partners and only one school (although it was noted that normally a private sector representative would be present). Members concluded that the Multi Agency Steering Group worked well as an internal briefing session but not in terms of fulfilling an external partnership function.

The Committee recognised that the meeting format, membership and timing of meetings could affect attendance levels and therefore agreed that this needed to be addressed through clear research with private sector and other partners on how to reach them in order to maximise attendance. 

They also noted that the separate Strategic Steering Group would provide an opportunity to include more private providers and the first meeting of this group was scheduled to take place in March/April 2009..

Members discussed and agreed amendments to the draft  parents survey and covering letter and requested that these be sent out as soon as possible prior to the Christmas school holiday. Members also made some amendments to a draft letter to schools and agreed to write to all private sector service providers inviting them to attend the consultation event on 24 February 2009. It was agreed that both these letters be sent out in early January.

Members discussed the informal consultation session scheduled for 6pm on 24^th February 2009  and were advised that Eddie Needham from ContinYou (Government Advisors on Extended Schools) would be attending to give a presentation.

Those Members who had visited the after school club at Yearsley Grove Primary School on 24^th November reported that they had met with the  head teacher who had explained the range of after school clubs on offer, visited the after school club on site and discussed issues surrounding the operation, cost and future of these clubs. Further visits to after school clubs at Wheldrake Primary School and Fishergate Primary School were due to take place on 5^th December.

RESOLVED:

(i)         That the report be noted.

(ii)        That in respect of the first key objective “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” further information on the Strategic Steering Group be requested from the Assistant Director of Partnerships and Early Intervention and this be included in the final report on the review. ¹

(iii)       That the amendments to the parents survey and covering letter (Annex A) discussed at the meeting be agreed and the documents be sent out prior to the Christmas School Holiday. ²

(iv)       That the amendments to the letter to schools (Annex B) be agreed and this letter be sent out in early January 2009.³

(v)        That a letter be sent to all private service providers inviting them to attend the consultation event on 24 February 2009 and this be sent out in early January 2009.⁴

REASON:            To ensure that work can proceed as planned for this review whilst complying with scrutiny procedures, protocols and work plans.