Agenda item

To receive a written report from the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People's Services, and to question the Cabinet Member thereon, provided any such questions are registered in accordance with the timescales and procedures set out in Standing Order 8.2.1.

Council received a written report from Cllr Looker, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People.

Notice had been received of nine questions on the report, submitted by Members in accordance with Standing Orders. The first three questions were put and answered as follows and Members agreed to receive written answers to their remaining questions, as set out below:

(i)           To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Runciman

“Whilst thanking Jill Hodges for all the excellent work she has done in leading the city’s School Improvement team, I would like reassurance from the Cabinet Member that there will also be a replacement for our Senior Primary Adviser, who will be retiring shortly. If that is not the case, can she reassure me that the Standards agenda in the primary sector will be given the same expertise and attention that it has previously had?”

Cabinet Member replied:

“The LA has invested in School improvement Partners, particularly in the primary sector. They will also be renamed as York Challenge Partners to reflect our new programme around school improvement – the York Challenge.  Maxine Squire will take up the position of Head of School Improvement from September.  She will be supported by the current Principal Adviser Primary on a consultancy basis until Easter 14 and also retiring primary Head teachers from within the city.  There is a national shift to sector led improvement and our model of empowering clusters to drive school improvement reflects this agenda.  However, there is a risk around funding for school improvement as this area faces reductions.”

(ii)         To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Brooks

“Can the Cabinet Member explain why, as of early July, nearly a quarter of York’s schools are in the categories ‘Requiring Improvement’ or Special Measures?

Cabinet Member replied:

“I don’t dispute what is stated in your question but as from the end of this term the LA will have 78% schools rates as good or outstanding.  This is an improvement on the position two years ago. This includes 8 schools, inspected since September 2012, that have moved from satisfactory to good.  These serve areas of disadvantage in the city.  Securing and embedding a good judgment takes time and we have been working with these schools over a period of 3-4 year. 

These figures remain above the regional average and in-line with the national average, but of course we constantly support schools to improve, especially those that have not received good or outstanding ratings.”

(iii)        To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Brooks

“The Learning and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed to a scrutiny review on the take up of school meals.  Does the Cabinet Member welcome the newly announced Government School Food Plan as an opportunity of making a difference to the lives of children in the city?”

Cabinet Member replied:

“The recently announced school food plan is an interesting development. The lengthy 149 page document has been produced by the DFE to assist schools in promoting the take up of nutritional school meals. I look forward to hearing the views of head teachers and governing bodies regarding the advice, suggestions and best practice contained in the plan in due course.”

(iv)       To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Runciman

“In respect of the changing brief of the Ofsted Sub-Committee, will the cabinet member say whether the members of that committee will review school improvement on a one off basis or will the committee take a longer term view?”

Reply:

“The intention is that this committee will review school improvement (Key Stage outcomes and Ofsted outcomes) on a termly basis.  A change of name will also take place to reflect this more rigorous and challenging approach.  All meetings will be minuted.”

(v)         To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Runciman

“As the Cabinet Member emphasises the importance of cross-party working in Education, will she confirm that both of the main opposition parties will have a place on the York Education Partnership in the future to ensure that this agenda is taken forward with the support of all the main political groups?”

Reply:

“The membership and constitution of the York Education Partnership is a matter for the partnership itself to consider and to decide. Elected Members do not have voting rights on the Partnership but are invited to join debate and discussion as non-voting members. Currently one place is provided for the Cabinet Member with another place for the main opposition party.  I will request that the Partnership considers this request for an additional opposition party place at next term's meeting.”

(vi)       To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Runciman

“Will the Cabinet Member confirm that there will continue to be investment by the city in early years care and education, as this is the most significant time in a child’s development and lays down the foundations for the future?”

Reply:

“This period of a child’s life is critical and the city will continue to place this as a key priority.

Whilst specific funding for early education places is anticipated, and work has developed over the last two years to develop strong and improved relationships with providers, there is a continuing risk that budget pressures across local government  will impact on this area.”  

(vii)      To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Runciman

“Will the Cabinet Member reassure council that there will be sufficient primary and secondary school places should the significant house building programme proposed in the draft local plan take place and will she give details of these plans?

Reply:

“We have made good progress in responding to recent increases in the demand for primary school places, and a very high proportion of pupils continue to receive offers of places at their preferred schools.  I am pleased that work is progressing well at Knavesmire school which can now provide many more places for local children. We are also planning appropriate and timely increases in the number of places with governing bodies of other schools across the city as and when major developments, such as Derwenthorpe and Germany Beck, progress.

Given that the draft local plan is still subject to consultation it is too early to detail how, where and when additional school places will be provided.  However, as plans for housing schemes progress and the local demand for school places can be accurately assessed, alongside the calculation of developer contributions,  plans for school places will be developed for consultation with the Education Partnership and the wider community.”

(viii)     To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Runciman

“Is the Cabinet Member aware that several local voluntary youth group providers have expressed uncertainty about their future due to the gradually reducing funding coming from CYC and that they are anxious to continue to offer the successful services that they already provide?  What will she do to ensure they are able to continue this work?”

Reply:

“The youth service is undergoing a significant transformation to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of those more vulnerable young people in the city. This transformation will see the development of a new co-production approach with local youth providers. Instead of a traditional grant allocation approach the service will offer a range of support including access to resources such as the Urbie buses, Zoo Skate Park, youth work staff and an allocation of time and consultation from our most skilled and experienced Youth and Community Development staff to grow and ensure both quality and resilience in local provision.

These plans are still being developed however; already the York Youth Network is building an infrastructure and supporting new collaboration approaches in the city.”

(ix)       To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People Service from Cllr Brooks

“What is the Cabinet Member planning to do to ensure that all Members, and not just those on the Corporate Parenting Board, realise that they are Corporate Parents and what this entails?

Reply:

·        “Co-opt certain members onto the Corporate Parenting Board for items that they may have a specific role, interest or responsibility for.

·        Further Member briefings on the role of the Corporate Parent

·        Challenge days / events between Members and Show Me that I Matter Panel 

·        LAC shadowing members in their elected roles”