SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (LIFELONG LEARNING)
Minutes of a meeting held on 7th
September, 2009.
Present: Councillor J. Clifford
(Chairman); Councillor Mrs. K.A. Kemp (Vice-Chairman); Councillors
Mrs. M.E.J. Birch, J.F. Fraser, E. Hacker, F.T. Johnson, C.L.
Osborne and Mrs. S.I. Sharpe.
Non-voting observer: Mr. G. Beaudette
(Primary).
Also present: Councillor A.D.
Hampton.
336 APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE -
These were received from Councillors Mrs. V.L.
Ellis and C.P.J. Elmore.
337 MINUTES -
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the
meeting held on 27th July, 2009 be approved as a correct
record, it being noted that, in respect of Minute No. 256 - 'Swine
Flu' that ongoing monitoring showed a steep decline in the numbers
affected.
338 DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST -
No declarations of interest were received.
339 IMPROVEMENT PLAN
2009/10 (REF) -
Cabinet had, on 29th July, 2009
considered the draft Improvement Plan and referred the same to all
Scrutiny Committees for consideration (Minute No. C556). It
was noted that the Plan was continually evolving as information
became available and that the version before Members at the meeting
had yet to be amended to incorporate comments already received
from the Heads of Service within Lifelong Learning. The
final draft would be presented to Cabinet by the end of the month
and subsequently Council for approval.
During the course of discussion, a query was
raised in relation to ways in which the issue of schools with an
excess of 25% surplus places could be addressed. The Head of
Service indicated that, whilst a revision to the catchment areas
was not seen as the optimum way forward, consideration was already
being given to matters such as the more effective use of space
within schools, the removal of temporary accommodation, etc.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position in respect
of the Improvement Plan as indicated above be accepted.
Reason for recommendation
To have regard to the content and evolving
nature of the Plan.
340 REVENUE AND
CAPITAL MONITORING: 1ST APRIL - 31ST JULY,
2009 (DLD) -
The current forecast in respect of the Revenue
Budget was for a balanced budget. As regards grant related
expenditure, particular reference was drawn to the fact that
schools had access to the WAG Grant (A Support for Induction) of
£7,933 for LEA assessment and quality assurance of newly qualified
teachers, in addition to the £7,934 previously notified.
Details of the financial progress of the
Capital Programme were appended to the report. As regards
variance between actual spend to date and profiled spend where
schemes had a value of over £500,000 and showed a variance of 20%
or more, reference was made to Cowbridge Comprehensive School
Re-modelling where the actual spend to date was £389,000 over the
profile due to earlier than anticipated progress on the
scheme. Appended to the report were non-financial details in
relation to projects of over £100,000.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position with
respect to Revenue and Capital Monitoring for the period
1st April to 31st July, 2009 be noted.
Reason for recommendation
To be aware of the position relevant to this
Committee.
341 1ST
QUARTER PERFORMANCE MONITORING (DLD) -
(i) Additional Learning
Needs -
The Head of Service drew attention to the
actual figure contained within the report in respect of PI L801
(average number of working days lost per full time equivalent due
to sickness), stating that the figure of 3.48 was incorrect.
Human Resources had been asked to clarify the figure and the Head
of Service anticipated that the outcome of that enquiry would show
performance being within target by the end of the next quarter.
(ii)
School Improvement -
Whilst all targets were currently being met,
the Head of Service drew attention to PI L603 which referred to the
percentage of employees leaving the employment of the School
Improvement Service. She indicated that three temporary
contracts were about to terminate which would result in the target
being exceeded by the time of the next quarterly report.
(iii)
Strategic Planning and Performance -
The Head of Service reported that all PIs had
outturned within target for the current period but that,
particularly in respect of employees leaving the employment of the
service, it was difficult to predict the likely outcome by the end
of the next quarter.
(iv)
Lifelong Learning -
A revised copy of the quarterly monitoring
report was tabled at the meeting. The Head of Service drew
particular attention to the those PIs relating to the high number
of enrolments as recorded under PI Nos. L273, 274 and 275 at this
early juncture in the year. He indicated that there would be
a need to revisit the target set in respect of L721 (number of hits
on the library website) given that certain information therein was
now more widely available than previously. As regards L803
(sickness absences) the Head of Service had asked Human Resources
to clarify the figures which he felt were currently
inaccurate.
Having considered each of the above, it
was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the 1st
Quarter Performance Monitoring statistics be accepted.
Reason for recommendation
To have regard to the current position.
342 CHAIRMAN'S
ANNOUNCEMENT -
The Chairman referred to the excellent
performance at both 'A' and 'GCSE' Levels in the Council's schools,
requesting a report in due course giving further details. The
Cabinet Member had already written to all Heads thanking them for
their hard work and the Chairman paid tribute to staff within the
Directorate.