SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
(LIFELONG LEARNING)
Minutes of a meeting held on 27th
July, 2009.
Present: Councillor J. Clifford
(Chairman); Councillor Mrs. K.A. Kemp (Vice-Chairman); Councillors
Mrs. M.E.J. Birch, Mrs. V.L. Ellis, C.P.J. Elmore,
J.F. Fraser, E. Hacker, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, F.T. Johnson, C.L.
Osborne and Mrs. S.I. Sharpe.
Non-voting observer: Mr. G.
Beaudette (Primary).
Also present: Councillors A.D. Hampton
and G.C. Kemp.
253 MINUTES -
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the
meeting held on 29th June, 2009 be approved as a correct
record.
254 DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST -
The following Councillors declared the nature
of their personal interests being Governors of Schools within the
Vale of Glamorgan: Councillors J. Clifford, Mrs. K.A. Kemp, Mrs.
M.E.J. Birch, C.P.J. Elmore, J.F. Fraser, E. Hacker, Mrs. V.M.
Hartrey, F.T. Johnson and C.L. Osborne.
255 COMMUNITY STRATEGY
REVIEW (REF) -
Cabinet had, on 24th June 2009,
been updated on the preparation in partnership with others of a
revised Community Strategy for the Vale of Glamorgan. Cabinet
had approved the consultation draft 2009-19 as appended to the
report for consultation purposes and referred the same to all
Scrutiny Committees. The consultation period was proposed to
run from June to September with a view to finalising the new
Strategy by October 2009. The Director of Learning and
Development sought the views of the Committee on the contents
thereof proposing that a reference to Education 2015 should be
included within the document. In response to a question, the
Director confirmed that Barry College would receive a consultation
draft and that the Strategy would necessarily be reviewed over the
period up to 2019. He drew attention to the fact that WAG had
indicated that funding had been made available to progress the
possible merger between Barry College and Coleg Glan Hafren and
that this Committee would have the opportunity to shape proposals
as drafted. He anticipated that to be late autumn 2009 and
suggested that the Committee might want to invite the Principal of
Barry College to go through those proposals at a subsequent
meeting.
Discussion ensued on the recent announcement
that Cardiff University was to cease funding Lifelong Learning
courses following which it was agreed that a letter be sent to the
Lifelong Learning Department expressing concern at any such move
and requesting that the position be reconsidered given the adverse
affect of the same on residents of the Vale.
Consideration then focussed on paragraph 4 of
the section relating to Lifelong Learning and Skills, namely “a
highly skilled workforce”, which quoted statistics on the adult
literacy and numeracy within the Vale. In response to a question as
to the national targets, the Director stated that the figures would
be available by the end of the year and that a report identifying
the issues and implications would be submitted to Committee in the
Autumn.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the Community Strategy Consultation Draft be accepted, it being
noted that the document would necessarily be further reviewed.
(2) T H A
T the Chairman write to the Lifelong Learning Department of Cardiff
University expressing concern at the decision to withdraw funding
for extra-mural activities.
(3) T H A
T the Principal of Barry College be invited to attend Committee
once proposals had been formulated in respect of the merger.
(4) T H A
T a report on Adult Literacy and Numeracy within the Vale and the
position regarding the development of a highly skilled workforce be
submitted to this Committee in the Autumn.
Reason for recommendation
(1) To
progress the publication of the strategy.
(2) To
notify Cardiff University of the Committee's concerns.
(3&4) To receive additional
information prior to recommending a way forward.
256 SWINE FLU -
EDUCATION PREPARATIONS (DLD) -
The Director updated Members on the
preparations to date in response to the Swine Flu pandemic.
Advice from the National Public Health Service (NPHS), from the
Health Minister and from the Department for Children, Education,
Lifelong Learning and Schools (DCELLS) had been passed directly to
schools. Specialist advice had also been obtained and
circulated in relation to residential settings and to ensure that
staff dealing with helpline enquiries were kept informed of the
latest developments. Specific advice had also been received
from the NPHS in relation to suspected incidents in 21 Vale of
Glamorgan schools, those schools being listed in an Appendix to the
report. On 15th July, DCELLS had provided further
information including a letter to parents with a request that those
be circulated to all schools. That had been done with an
accompanying note although, in view of the fact that some schools
had already closed for the summer vacation period, that information
had also been provided to Members of the Council and to the local
press.
It was accepted that there would be further
cases of Swine Flu reported over the summer months and into the
autumn term. The Education Service preparations would
consequently continue as part of the wider Council response.
An emergency communications network with Headteachers had been
established and would be utilised in the event of any significant
developments or changes in advice from the NPHS. The
expectation was that schools would open as planned in September and
that they would continue to remain open whilst sufficient staff
were available to ensure the safety of pupils and staff. All
relevant information was being updated on the Council's Website and
the service was represented on the Silver Team which was managing
the corporate risk by the Head of Strategic Planning and
Performance. He announced that Facebook was also being
monitored in order to counteract any mis-information that might
have been posted and notified Members that Occupational Health was
also receiving regular progress reports. Mr. Beaudette
congratulated the Director and his team on the speed with which the
information was being disseminated to schools and for the
common-sense attitude in tackling the pandemic that was being
purveyed.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the arrangements in
place be noted and a further report submitted to this Committee in
September.
Reason for recommendation
To note the arrangements in place and to
ensure that Members were kept apprised of developments.
257 REVENUE AND
CAPITAL MONITORING: 1ST APRIL, 2009 -
31ST MAY, 2009 (DLD) -
The projected outturn for the 2009/10 Revenue
Budget was for a balanced budget. Details were presented
within the report of grant related expenditure, it being noted that
details of any other grants which had not yet been confirmed would
be reported in subsequent monitoring reports. It was also
noted that particular attention would be paid to the Catering
Budget since that service could be affected by external factors
such as legislation and weather conditions. In respect of the
Capital Programme 2009/10 details of financial progress on the
Capital Programme as of 31st May, 2009 were appended to
the report. Appendix 3 provided non financial information on
capital schemes with a budget in excess of £100k. In that
respect, it was reported that the Rhws Primary Additional
Accommodation Project had now been completed and that in respect of
many others work was ongoing throughout the summer period. It
was noted also that WAG had approved a Capital Grant of £148k.
towards the delivery of the Foundation Phase initiative and that a
schedule of works had been established in order to meet the
criteria of the grant, such as external doors and safety
fencing.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position with regard
to the 2009/10 Revenue and Capital Monitoring be noted.
Reason for recommendation
To be aware of the current position.
258 ANNUAL REPORT ON
LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE PERFORMANCE 2008-09 (DLD) -
The Welsh Public Library Standards had been
introduced by WAG in September 2001. The Annual Return, as
appended to the report, now being submitted to WAG was for the
first year of the Third Framework 2008-11. The Head of
Lifelong Learning drew attention to the fact that this Annual
Return was the first for this Framework of the aforementioned
Standards and contained 14 Standards and 13 Performance
Indicators. Whilst performance overall seemed good and
consistent with the improvements made in recent years, he drew
attention to the fact that the Council had achieved 9 of 14
Standards and was working to achieve the remaining 5. The
outstanding areas included the number of library items available
for the public, the number of items added to stock, library floor
areas, and percentage of professional librarians on the staff
establishments. To achieve all the Standards now required by
WAG would necessitate additional funding and, as Members
recognised, hard decisions would need to be made when it came to
prioritising bids for funding. The Head of Service indicated that
the investment allocated to the library service over recent years
had brought that service into the upper quartile of performing
authorities but that without additional funding performance
was likely to slip given the new requirements imposed by WAG.
It was noted that WAG would provide a formal
assessment of the Annual Report. Following receipt of that
assessment a further report would be submitted to this
Committee.
RECOMMENDED –
(1) T H A
T the current performance of the Library and Information Service in
relation to the Welsh Public Libraries Standards Framework be noted
and the Annual Return as appended to the report approved for
submission to WAG.
(2) T H A
T a report be submitted to this Committee following receipt of the
assessment from WAG (anticipated to be September, 2009) as referred
to above.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) To be
aware of progress and to comply with the requirement of WAG for
formal approval of the Annual Return.
(2) To be
aware of the views of WAG and to consider the way forward.
259 END OF YEAR
REPORTING 2008/09 (DLD) -
The Director introduced the above topic by
stating that whilst the overall picture within the Directorate was
generally good, there remained some issues to be tackled. He
referred to concerns expressed regarding the methodology for
setting sickness targets and indicated that the Head of Human
Resources would be submitting proposals for consideration in that
respect to the appropriate body. The Director explained
that, given the lack of 3 Heads of Service for the period in
question, priority had focussed on services to schools rather than
Green Dragon although progress had been made and the aim was to
achieve level 2 by Christmas. Similarly, now that the Heads of
Service were in place, progress would be made in ensuring staff had
PDR/TDRs in place.
(i) Lifelong
Learning -
In response to questions, the Head of
Service’s answers included the follows:
L269a - customer satisfaction levels had been
assessed predominantly through the users of the service on both
long term courses and “taster” sessions
L270a – customer satisfaction levels had been
assessed through the direct users of the service or those engaging
with the youth service on the streets or in schools; it was noted
that there were ongoing efforts to engage more young people through
the outreach provision
L273 and L275 – whilst the number of
enrolments on Lifelong Learning opportunities through the direct
delivery programme had increased, the number of adult enrolments on
accredited literacy and numeracy opportunities had decreased as a
consequence of a reduction in funding to Barry College and the
subsequent request from the College that the intake be reduced
accordingly
L590 – the reduction in the number of
enrolments on ESOL courses was as a consequence of the reduction in
the number of potential customers
L591a and b – whilst the number of people
visiting libraries was increasing and the target of increasing the
number of books loaned in Welsh and other languages was being met,
the number of books loaned in English was decreasing since clients
were making more use of I.T. and other means
L82a and b – whilst there was an error in the
statistics presented in that the performance figures for 2007/08
should have reversed, actual figures for 2008/09 showed that the
percentage of females attending youth activities was increasing
LCL002b – the failure to reach the target was
attributable not to a reduction in the number of computers but to
an increase in the population.
The Head of Service also agreed to notify
Members of the costs associated with the non return of books.
(ii)
Strategic Planning and Performance -
The Head of Service indicated that, in respect
of L278, when the target had been set 6 schools had fallen into
that category but that since then WAG had changed the formula and
that there were currently 3 more. It was anticipated, however, that
certain schools would fall outside that category in the forthcoming
year. On an all Wales level, the Council had performed very well,
coming 3rd in the primary sector and having only 1
school in the secondary section.
(iii)
Additional Learning Needs -
Despite falling within the 10% tolerance of
the target set in respect of EDU016 a and b, the Head of Service
confirmed that this Council performed very well in comparison with
other Welsh Councils and that a more realistic target had been set
for 2009/10. A breakdown of both authorised and unauthorised
absences both locally and nationally would be submitted to a future
meeting and the Director undertook to circulate the updated booklet
entitled “Attendance Matters” to the parents of schoolchildren.
Members echoed her pleasure in being able to report on the
achievement of all targets in respect EDU0009 relating to
exclusions and, as regards a question as to the number of pupils
affected under EDU010b, were notified that the figure was 5.
(iv)
School Improvement -
The Head of Service commenced by indicating
that, whilst already meeting the target in respect of EDU/002i, a
co-ordinated approach was being developed which would help in
continuing improvement. As regards EDU/003 and 004, the Council’s
performance in each was well above the Welsh national average
despite being within the 10% tolerance in respect of the target
set. The same was true for L790 although no national figures were
available to allow comparisons to be made for L791. She referred
finally to the failure to achieve the target in the cross-cutting
PIs indicating that work was underway in respect of each.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the performance indicators relating to staff leaving the
respective services be retained but that additional details be
provided in future reports to the Committee as to the background to
their leaving.
(2) T H A
T the current practice of reporting a smaller number of key
performance indicators during the year and the full set at the end
of the financial year be retained.
(3) T H A
T the Head of Lifelong Learning notify Members of the costs
associated with the non return of books.
(4) T H A
T the Head of Additional Learning Needs submit a report on both
authorised and unauthorised absences to a further meeting.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) To
monitor the levels and reasons for staff leaving.
(2) To
confirm current practice.
(3) For
information.
(4) To
allow more detailed consideration by Members.
.
260 DECISION TRACKING
(DLPPHS) –
Members were informed of progress in relation
to recommendations made by the Committee between September 2007 and
June 2009.
RECOMMENDED –
(1) T H A
T the actions detailed below as completed be agreed:
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1 June, 2009
Min. No. 67 - Re-inspection of the
Youth Offending Service (CX)- recommended
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(3) That
the Operational Manager (Corporate Policy and Communications) be
requested to submit a further report to the next meeting updating
the Committee on individuals and their education status (including
comparative data) since last reported to this Scrutiny Committee in
October 2008.
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Completed
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(4) That
the Operational Manager (Corporate Policy and Communications) be
requested to submit a further report to the next meeting on
performance against the related performance indicators contained in
the three year Inspection Action Plan
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Completed
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29 June, 2009
Min. No. 145 - Revenue and Capital
Monitoring for the Period 1st April, 2009 -
30th April, 2009 (DLD) - recommended
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[(i)
Date of initial workshop in respect of St. Cyres Comprehensive
School)
(ii)
Whether the new Youth Service Provision bus would require further
staffing resources.]
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(i) Members advised
by e-mail workshop held on 22nd June 2009.
(ii)
Letter sent.
Completed
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Min. No. 146 - Implementation of the
Foundation Phase in Vale of Glamorgan Schools (DLD) -
recommended
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[One school missing from list - Head of
Service to look into reason why and will advise Members]
(3) That
the information requested by Members as detailed above be forwarded
to Members prior to the next meeting.
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Completed
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Min. No. 147 - Schools Councils (DLD)
- recommended
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(3) That
the Director be authorised to write to all schools to congratulate
them on their work to date and to encourage the sharing of good
practice.
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Completed
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Min. No. 148 - Scrutiny Committees' -
Draft Annual Report May 2008 - April 2009 (DLPPHS) -
recommended
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(1) That
the Scrutiny Committees' Draft Annual Report for the period May
2008 - April 2009 be approved subject to any further minor
amendments being agreed in consultation with the Chairman and it
then be presented to Full Council.
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Completed
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Min. No. 150 - Youth Offenders -
Education, Training and Employment (CX) (Exempt Information -
Paragraphs 12 and 13) - Recommended
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(2) That
the Scrutiny Committee writes to the Minister expressing its
concerns regarding services for 16 - 17 year olds.
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Completed
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27 April, 2009
Min. No. 1042 - Scrutiny Review of
Children and Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training
(Chairman) - Recommended
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(1) That
the following recommendations be referred to Cabinet:
R1. The Children
and Young People's Partnership agree an integrated NEET Strategy to
address the needs of pre and post 16s and ensure that the personal
support required both pre and post 16 is maintained.
R2. The Children
and Young People's Partnership identify a lead organisation to
co-ordinate responsibility for young people aged 16 - 18 who are
NEET in the Vale.
R3. The Children
and Young People's Partnership agree definitions for NEETS e.g.
around age and status and explore the feasibility of joint
recording systems amongst key partners for data collection.
Progress to be reported to the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong
Learning) in September 2009.
R4. The Children
and Young People's Partnership agree and implement an information
and data sharing strategy and protocol and provide training to
relevant staff in the Council and partner organisations to ensure
they understand the protocol and data protection issues.
R5. The Director
of Learning and Development work with relevant partners including
the Children and Young People's Partnership to ensure that
opportunities for joint funding for NEETS projects are maximised,
including accessing external funding.
R6. The Children
and Young People's Partnership agree and implement a Parenting
Strategy which recognised the vital role of parents and key carers
in influencing attitudes, behaviour and educational outcomes.
This strategy should build on work already being undertaken in a
number of schools across the Vale.
R7. The need for
support and improved training opportunities for young people to
stop them becoming NEET should be priority within the Community
Strategy.
R8. The Chair of
the Children and Young People's Partnership work will all partners
to examine what opportunities they can provide for work experience,
training and apprenticeships to assist children and young people
who are NEET.
R9. The Head of
Service for Additional Learning Needs work with schools to ensure
WAG guidance on exclusions is consistently followed and to ensure
training on exclusions and the sharing of best practice.
R10. The Head of Service for
Additional Learning Needs work with schools to re-enforce the
Council's commitment to ensure that no informal exclusions take
place.
R11. The Head of Additional
Learning Needs share good practice like the youth work approach at
Barry Comprehensive with all schools to encourage more preventative
work within schools to stop young people becoming NEET.
R12. The Chair of the
Children and Young People's Partnership arrange an event to enable
those organisations working with children and young people to share
good practice regarding prevention and support work for NEETS.
R13. Officers from the Youth
Offending Service (YOS) and the Learning and Development
Directorate be congratulated on the improvements made as recognised
in the re-inspection of the YOS in December 2008. To build on
this and agree a protocol to ensure there is a shared understanding
of roles and responsibilities.
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Completed
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8 September 2008
Mon. No. 305 - Children and Young
People's Plan (DLD) - recommended
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(2) That a
report on the implementation of the Plan be brought before the
Committee in January 2009.
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Completed
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20 October 2008
Min. No. 460 - Youth Offending Service
Education Issues Update (CX) - recommended
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(2) That a
further report be brought to Committee on the result of the
re-inspection in December 2008.
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Complete
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16 March 2009
Min. No. 909 - Transformation 14-19
(DLD) - recommended that Cabinet be informed
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(3) That
as proposals for the merger of Barry College are developed, details
of the arrangements be submitted to Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee
for consideration as part of the consultation process and in order
to secure appropriate local provision to meet the needs of learners
within the Vale of Glamorgan.
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Completed
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Min. No. 910 - Revenue and Capital
Monitoring for the Period 1st April, 2008 to
31st January, 2009 (DLD) - recommended
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(3) That a
further report be prepared identifying how the needs of the
Council's clients attending Ashgrove School had changed in recent
years.
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Completed
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18 February 2008
Min. No. 793 - Graffiti -
recommended
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(3) That
Cabinet be urged to formalise the present voluntary actions of the
Graffiti Removal Team.
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Completed
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(4) That
Cabinet be requested to consider an increase in the funding of the
Youth Service.
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Completed
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(2) T H A
T the outcome of the Cabinet’s deliberations on the NEET’s Review
be reported to this Committee as soon as possible.
(3) T H A
T the reference to the uncompleted action contained in Minute No.
318 (10 September, 2007) be deleted given that the matter raised
therein had been overtaken by the Foundation Phase.
(4) T H A
T the progress in respect of the remainder of the actions contained
in the report be noted.
Reasons for recommendations –
(1) To
deem actions completed.
(2) To
ensure this Committee is kept informed.
(3) To
update the decision tracking.
(4) To
take account of the progress to date.