SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (LIFELONG LEARNING)
Minutes of a meeting held on 26th
July, 2010.
Present: Councillor J. Clifford
(Chairman); Councillor Mrs. K.A. Kemp (Vice-Chairman); Councillors
Mrs. V.L. Ellis, C.P.J. Elmore, J.F. Fraser, F.T. Johnson,
Mrs. S.I. Sharpe and J.W. Thomas.
Co-Opted Members: Mr. P. Lewis
(Parent Governor - Secondary Sector) and Mr. S. Williams (Parent
Governor - Primary Sector).
Non-Voting Observer: Mr. G.
Beaudette (Primary Sector).
Also present: Councillor A.D.
Hampton.
272 APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE -
These were received from Councillors Mrs.
M.E.J. Birch, E. Hacker and S.T. Wiliam.
273 MINUTES -
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the
meeting held on 28th June, 2010 be approved as a correct
record.
274 DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST -
No declarations were received.
275 END OF YEAR
REPORTING 2009/10 - ADDITIONAL LEARNING NEEDS (DLD) -
The report set out details of Service
Performance against those actions undertaken during the financial
year 2009/10. The Head of Service provided reasons for those
performance indicators which had underperformed, those which were
just short of their respective targets and also apprised the
Committee of recent revisions which subsequently meant that the
target had been achieved.
The following was noted:
|
Performance Indicator
|
Comment
|
|
EDU015aA - the percentage of final statements
of special education need issued within 26 weeks, excluding
exceptions
|
The Head of Service apprised the Committee of
current difficulties experienced in relation to available resources
to undertake case work and referred to a recent team re-structuring
which would bring about improvements in regard to case work and the
issuing of final statements. Discussion ensued regarding the
potential implications for those pupils without a statements,
historical performance targets and proposed service targets which
were expected to be achieved over the next three years. The
Head of Service stressed that significant support was provided to
those pupils without a statement so as to ensure there was no delay
in meeting their needs.
|
|
L580Q - percentage of employees that leave the
employment of Additional Learning Needs during the year
|
During the year, centrally employed LSAs
working in schools have been included in the figures. Target
for 2010/11 has been adjusted to reflect this.
|
|
L583A - level of Vale Equalities Scheme
achieved by Additional Learning Needs
|
In order to comply with the requirement of
level 3 certain staff had to attend training - this has recently
been completed and a final application will be submitted to
Equalities Team over the coming weeks.
|
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the end of year report
for Additional Learning Needs 2009/10 be noted.
Reason for recommendation
In acknowledgement of the performance of the
service during the financial year 2009/10.
276 END OF YEAR
REPORTING 2009/10 - LIFELONG LEARNING (DLD) -
The report set out details of Service
Performance against those actions undertaken during the financial
year 2009/10.
The Head of Service provided reasons for those
performance indicators which had underperformed, those which were
just short of their respective targets and also apprised Committee
of recent revisions which subsequently meant that the target had
been achieved.
The following was noted:
|
Performance Indicator
|
Comment
|
|
L591Qa - the number of books issued to
customers in English
|
Issues have increased steadily from 2004 up to
2008/09 including a 68,000 increase in Barry alone during the year
after the new library opened. The drop in issues in 2009/10
is a result of a levelling off of the issues in Barry, which is to
be expected as well as the impact of closing Rhoose Library for
three months for its refurbishment, plus disruptions to services
during the implementation of the new library management system.
|
|
L591Qb - the number of books issued to
customers in Welsh
|
Issues have increased since 2007/08 but have
not reached the target. This is probably due to the levelling
off of issues in Barry Library as well as disruptions to service as
a result of implementing the new library management system and the
closure of Rhoose Library for three months.
|
|
L82Aa - percentage of females that attend
youth activities
|
The Director informed the Committee that
whilst the actual target for 2010 was below the stated target of
50.00 at 49.51, it was expected that the target would be met during
2010/11.
|
The Director in commenting on the performance
results as presented to the Committee, indicated that the current
configuration of the Directorate would be the subject of a report
to the Committee shortly to reflect service reconfiguration and
change in responsibilities.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the end of year report
for Lifelong Learning 2009/10 be noted.
Reason for recommendation
In acknowledgement of performance and service
during the financial year 2009/10.
277 END OF YEAR
REPORTING 2009/10 - SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT (DLD) -
The report set out details of Service
Performance against those actions undertaken during the financial
year 2009/10. The Head of Service provided reasons for those
performance indicators which had underperformed, those which were
just short of their respective targets and also apprised the
Committee of recent revisions which subsequently meant that the
target had been achieved.
The following was noted:
|
Performance Indicator
|
Comment
|
|
EDU002iA - the percentage of all pupils
(including those in local authority care) in an LA maintained
school, aged 15 as at the preceding 31 August who leave compulsory
education training or work based learning without
|
In total 9 pupils left school and did not
achieve a recognised qualification out of a cohort of 1677.
This was an improvement on last year's figure of 0.65% and below
the Welsh Average of 0.9%. Although the target was not
achieved by 0.4% this equated to less than 1 pupil out of a cohort
of 1677. In terms of the overall percentage result the
difference was therefore extremely marginal.
|
|
EDU006iA - the percentage of pupils assessed,
in schools maintained by the local authority, receiving a Teacher
Assessment in Welsh (first language) at the end of Key Stage 2
|
The figure presented was an estimate rather
than an actual and is below what was estimated due to a small
variation in the cohort. The PI only relates to 5 Welsh
Medium Schools.
|
|
L603Q - percentage of employees that leave the
employment of the School Improvement Service
|
In 2009/10 six staff left the service.
Three of these were from the admin service which no longer sits
under the School Improvement Service from April 2010. It is
therefore anticipated that the 2010/11 target will be achieved.
|
|
L604A - level of Vale Equalities scheme
achieved by School Improvement
|
The Head of Service acknowledged
underperformance in meeting the target and indicated that
arrangements were in hand for staff to be trained to allow the
target to be achieved during the current financial year.
|
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the end of year report
for School Improvement 2009/10 be noted.
Reason for recommendation
In acknowledgement of the performance of the
service during the financial year 2009/10.
278 END OF YEAR
REPORTING 2009/10 - STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE (DLD) -
The report set out details of Service
Performance against those actions undertaken during the financial
year 2009/10.
The Head of Service provided reasons for those
performance indicators which had underperformed, those which were
just short of their respective targets and also apprised the
Committee of recent revisions which subsequently meant that the
target had been achieved.
The following was noted:
|
Performance Indicator
|
Comments
|
|
L595Q - percentage of employees that leave the
employment of the Strategic Planning and Performance during the
year
|
The Head of Service indicated that the figure
related entirely to Catering staff, those in temporary positions
and those staff members who had also increased their contracted
hours.
|
|
L597A - percentage of schools that
buy-back/access into a financial support package
|
The figures relate to 58 schools out of 60
buying into the school finance SLA. We are optimistic that
this will be improved for 2010/11.
The Head of Service indicated that the
performance in the 2009/10 actual turnout had just been short of
the agreed target with the shortfall representing one Foundation
School who had chosen to opt out of buying back into the Council's
financial services agreement. However, the school had now
bought back into the agreement.
|
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the end of year report
for Strategic Planning and Performance 2009/10 be noted.
Reason for recommendation
In acknowledgement of the performance of the
service during the financial year 2009/10.
279 CLOSURE OF
ACCOUNTS 2009/10 (DLD) -
The Scrutiny Committee was informed of the
provisional financial position for the 2009/10 financial
year. This also constituted an account of the major financial
issues during the same period.
Set out below is a table comparing the revised
estimate and the actual expenditure for the Service:
|
Net
Tfr to
/ (from) Reserve
|
Service
|
Amended Revenue Estimate
|
Total Provisional Actual
|
Variance +Favourable () Adverse
|
|
£’000
|
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
£’000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,578
|
Education and Schools
|
86,562
|
86,534
|
+28
|
|
(50)
|
Libraries
|
2,577
|
2,577
|
0
|
|
24
|
Lifelong Learning
|
1,983
|
2,011
|
(28)
|
|
|
Catering
|
1,094
|
1,094
|
0
|
|
1,552
|
Total
|
92,216
|
92,216
|
0
|
The main reasons for the variances were
detailed as follows:
·
Education and Schools - There is a net surplus of £28k. This is
after a transfer to the School Investment Strategy Reserve of
£1.004m. £500k was already provided for in the estimates and
£504k has been previously reported to Cabinet arising from Non
Domestic Rate refund. In addition a further transfer of £343k has
been made to the School Investment Strategy reserve and £50k to the
School Rationalisation reserve. The gross underspend of £421k is
made up as follows:-
·
The School Improvement Service shows an underspend of £218k which
is attributable to vacancy savings and use of grant funding to
offset staff salaries.
·
Due to uncertainty associated with predicting the demand from other
local authorities for places in the Vale’s Special Schools,
recoupment income is £326k over budget. Recoupment expenditure is
£122k under spent and Home Tuition £23k under spent, reflecting the
volatile nature of the Additional Needs budget. £351k of the
underspend has been offset by additional expenditure on Learning
Support Assistants as a result of increased demand for individual
support and a further £26k in relation to the Pupil Referral
Unit.
·
School Transport shows an underspend of £252k as a result of
re-tendering contracts and also fluctuations in demand for
specialist arrangements. £50k was realised following the
transfer back to revenue of the transport provision in the Balance
Sheet no longer required. The underspend was in part utilised to
support Primary and Secondary schools to offset costs associated
with increased maternity leave costs £89k, redundancy and pension
costs £47k and repairs and maintenance incurred on addressing flood
and fire damage £57k.
·
The deficit of £28k in respect of the Lifelong Learning service has
been met from the remaining surplus.
·
Libraries - Net nil variance. This is after a transfer of £47k to
the Single Status reserve. This service has out turned on budget
with additional net income generation of £6k which is primarily the
result of changes in the Libraries charging structure effective
from August 2009. This income has been reinvested within the
service throughout the year on books, talking books, electronic
resources and DVDs. Required savings have been met during this
financial year by reductions in the book fund, use of increased DVD
income and reduced staffing costs required to meet a vacancy
provision of £69k. The library fund reserve has also been reduced
by £97k to £106k as contribution towards the implementation of the
new library computer system.
·
Lifelong Learning - Net adverse variance of £28k following a
transfer of £35k to the Single Status reserve. The variance has
reduced from the projected £56k previously reported and will be
funded from an underspend in the Education Service. The gross
overspend of £28k is attributable to favourable variances within
Youth Services of £24k due to staff vacancies, Community Enterprise
of £31k due to reduced staffing costs and increased income and the
use of grant management fees of £5k. These have been offset by
adverse variances within Adult and Community Learning of £13k due
to delayed student fee increases, Heritage Skills Centre of £10k
due to premises costs, Lifelong Learning Education and Training of
£43k due to a temporary income shortfall resulting from a change in
the funding stream, together with a provision for bad debts of
£22k.
·
Catering - Net nil variance. This is after the client funding a
deficit of £22k incurred by the Catering Trading Unit. The Trading
Unit variance is primarily due to reduced income generation as a
result of unfavourable weather conditions experienced in the latter
part of the financial year. The Client underspend came from
additional administration fee income.
As for Capital the overall outturn for the
Directorate was for an underspend of £159,000 and Appendix 2 to the
report detailed the outturn by scheme and the reason for the major
variances which were detailed as follows:
Cowbridge Comprehensive School
re-modelling
Overspend
£192k
·
There are two reasons for the overspend of this budget. Firstly, a
grant offer from WAG for a sprinkler installation at the school in
the sum of £100k was received too late to incorporate into the
Capital Programme. Secondly additional costs of £92k were funded
from the School Investment Strategy reserve. Had there been time to
include these in the current 2009/10 allocation, this budget would
in fact have out- turned on target.
Llantwit Major
Comprehensive
Underspend £143k
·
This 100% WAG grant funded scheme for feasibility studies for a
proposed new secondary school at Llantwit Major was not fully spent
as disruption due to the snow caused delays to planned survey work.
As the grant was under spent, WAG agreed a year-end transfer of the
remaining grant to the Cowbridge Comprehensive School remodelling
in order to maximise use of the grant. The condition attached to
that agreement stated that the Authority agree to fund the
transferred amount for Llantwit Major in 2010/11 in order to
complete the studies. As such, it has been requested that the sum
of £143k be included in the 2010/11 Capital Programme which will be
met from the School Strategy Investment
Fund.
Asset Renewal Budgets (2008/09 &
2009/10)
Underspend £226k
·
The Asset Renewal budget for 2008/09 was part-slipped into the
2009/10 Capital Programme to continue with 6 ongoing schemes.
Included within the budget was £29k for Llangan wind turbine which
has still not been commenced as a suitable site could not be
identified. Such a site has now been donated to the Authority and
the Director of Education is currently looking into possibilities
for the wind turbine as well as a car park to the adjacent Llangan
Primary School. The 2009/10 asset renewal budget for schools was
approved to fund 24 new schemes. All incomplete schemes have been
referred back to the department to fund any outstanding amounts
from the 2010/11 asset renewal budget in order to minimise any
slippage requests.
In regard to Reserves, it was indicated that
this was an appropriation from a revenue account and was not
included as part of the costs of the service until expenditure was
eventually incurred. A reserve did not cover a present
obligation or liability and was a voluntary means of setting aside
monies for future requirements either capital or revenue.
It was further indicated that a Provision was
a charge to revenue and was included as part of the cost of the
relevant service at the point the provision was created. A
Provision covered a present obligation or liability but had
occurred to a past event and was compulsory under accounting
regulations. In additions, funds no longer required as
reserves may be transferred to the General Fund to be used for
other purposes and attached at Appendix 3 was a schedule of the
reserves as at 31st March, 2010 within the remit of the
Scrutiny Committee.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the provisional
financial position for the 2009/10 financial year be noted.
Reason for recommendation
To apprise Members of the position with regard
to the provisional financial position for the financial year
2009/10.
280 REVENUE AND
CAPITAL MONITORING FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL, 2010 -
31ST MAY, 2010 (DLD) -
The overall Education budget was projected to
balance as at the end of March 2011. Any savings identified
between now and the end of the financial year would be available to
redirect into the School Investment Strategy or other
reserves.
Delegated budgets in respect of schools was
expected to balance as any under/overspend was carried forward by
schools.
In regard to grant related expenditure,
schools had access to the following Welsh Assembly Funded
grants:
·
Developing Thinking and Assessment for Learning grant of £19,000 to
deliver a step change improvement in learner’s engagement and
attainment. This grant is match funded by the LA in advisory time
and teacher release.
·
A Support for Induction grant £8,050 for the LEA assessment and
quality assurance of newly qualified teachers.
·
Improving Boys Literacy Grant formerly known as Read a Million
Words, funding of £8,045 from September 2010 is aimed at improving
literacy attainment at Secondary level.
·
Basic Skills allocations under the new National Literacy Plan from
September 2010 of £87,847 for Strategic Intervention and £32, 379
for Training.
·
Details of any other grants which have not yet been confirmed will
be reported in subsequent monitoring reports.
There was no variance at present in respect of
Libraries and it was anticipated that expenditure would outturn
well within budget. Lifelong Learning was currently showing
an adverse variance of £10,000 but this was expected to outturn
within budget. As for Catering Services there was currently
no variance at present and was anticipated to outturn on
target.
In respect of the Capital Programme for
2010/11 details in regard to this matter were set out in Appendix 2
to the report. It was noted that all capital schemes for
2010/11 had been profiled on a monthly basis by relevant officers
and was indicated in the previous report to the Committee where
there was a significant under/overspend on the profiled budget an
explanation was required to be provided and the scheme would be
re-profiled if necessary. Current arrangements applied as
previously in regard to schemes over £500,000 in value that had a
variance of 20% or more on their profiled budget.
Changes to the Capital Programme were set out
in paragraphs 13 and 14 of the report and related to Cowbridge
Comprehensive School re-modelling - additional revenue expenditure
amounting to £103,000 which would be funded from existing Education
Revenue Reserves and Cabinet would be requested to approve an
increase in the existing 2010/11 Capital Programme budget in order
to procure the items. The other changes to the Capital
Programme related to Welsh Medium Schools - and in order to proceed
with the two new Welsh Medium Seed Schools the sum of £890,000 was
required of which funding from the WAG of £110,000 had been
allocated from their Early Years - Foundation Phase Grant 2010/11
and accordingly it had been requested that the balance of £780,000
be transferred from the School Investment Strategy budget in order
to proceed with these schemes. The transfer to the School
Investment Strategy would require Council approval.
Appendix 3 provided non-financial information
on Capital Schemes with a budget over £100,000. Where the
budget set out in Appendix 3 to the report was more than £100,000
but was made up of several schemes that individually were less than
£100,000 these schemes were not included in Appendix 3.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position with regard
to the 2009/10 Revenue and Capital Programme monitoring be
noted.
Reason for recommendation
To advise the Committee as to the position
with regard to the 2010/11 Revenue and Capital Programme.
281 ESTYN INSPECTION
ON THE QUALITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITY EDUCATION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUNG PEOPLE - POST INSPECTION ACTION PLAN (DLD) -
The above matter had previously been
considered by the Committee at its last meeting held in June 2010
and at that time it was requested that the associated draft Action
Plan be reported to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee for
consideration.
The outcome of the Estyn Inspection judged the
Council as being good overall with good prospects for
improvement. Estyn Inspectors had made five recommendations
in order to improve current services and these were as follows:
·
Improve the rigour of challenge and target setting, particularly in
the secondary phase.
·
Strategically plan additional learning needs (ALN) and inclusion
provision and the resources to support this by consistently using
information on the outcomes for learners well
·
Improve standards and curriculum opportunities for all vulnerable
pupils and in particular pupils with in the Pupil Referral Units
(PRU)
·
Develop and agree a strategy for 21st Century Schools with all
stakeholders
·
Clarify funding arrangements and the respective roles and
responsibilities of schools and individual services in order to
provide better assurance of value for money.
The above recommendations provided the
structure for the draft Action Plan which was set out in Appendix 1
to the report with the Action Plan itself including, a range of
activities which would be delivered across the Directorate, the
lead officer for each action and how the activity would link to the
Council's Education 2015 Strategy and the Corporate Plan 2010 -
14. The Director apprised the Scrutiny Committee of matters
contained within the Action Plan and also indicated that the Plan
itself in its draft format would be presented to Cabinet in
September for approval and to allow the related actions to be
incorporated into the Directorate's various Service Plans for
2011/12.
Progress in meeting the actions contained in
the Action Plan would be monitored as part of the Council's
performance management arrangements within the Directorate, with
quarterly updates being provided to the Education Management Team
and also to the Scrutiny Committee as part of the Service Planning
quarterly monitoring process. The Education Services
Management Board would be charged with the responsibility in
ensuring that the recommendations were addressed appropriately.
Discussion ensued and particular reference was
made to one action contained in the draft Action Plan i.e.
Sub-reference 1.8, Priority 4 10:14 - with Councillor Johnson
enquiring as to how training for school governors, head/deputy
teachers would be provided to ensure appropriate outcomes were
realised. The Head of School Improvement indicated that the
Council's Governor Support Unit would be responsible for providing
associated training to meet the objectives set out in the draft
Action Plan with various training events being provided during the
forthcoming academic year. Councillor Johnson suggested that
the offer of training be jointly made to head teachers and the
Chair of Governors of each respective school to ensure that the
training necessary was cascaded on a consistent basis.
Having regard to the above and related matters
it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the draft Action Plan as
set out in Appendix 1 to the report be endorsed with it further
being noted that the monitoring of attainment of the various
actions contained therein be reflected in the Directorate’s Service
Plans and be reported to the Scrutiny Committee on a quarterly
basis.
Reason for recommendation
In acknowledgement of measures put in place to
meet the recommendations specified by the Estyn Inspectorate and to
allow the Scrutiny Committee to adequately monitor progress in
achieving performance targets.
282 CHILDREN AND YOUNG
PEOPLE NOT IN EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING (NEET) (DLD) -
The Committee was apprised of progress made to
date in meeting each of the Scrutiny Committees Task and Finish
Group fourteen recommendations following the review of Children and
Young People Not in Education, Employment and Training (NEET). The
recommendations had been previously approved by Cabinet on
20th May 2009 subject to minor amendments.
The work to deliver the issues identified in
the recommendations was in hand and a NEET Sub Group established
comprising of representatives from the 14 -19 Learning Network and
the Children and Young People’s Partnership.
The report comprehensively set out details of
measures implemented through partnership structures which supported
a range of outcomes which were anticipated to contribute towards a
reduction in NEET numbers. Initiatives introduced included:
·
All Vale Secondary Schools involved in or delivering the Welsh
Baccalaureate.
·
Extended vocational choice [14-16] through Barry College.
·
A co-ordinated approach to seeking the views of learners on
curriculum choices.
·
Involvement of 14-19 learners in retail qualifications.
·
1,600+ learners engaged in voluntary activity.
·
Establishment of 44 learning coaches supporting 1,000 students.
·
Involvement with external providers to identify additional learning
routes [e.g. Princes Trust].
·
Improved collaboration with Careers Wales [Cardiff and Vale] to
offer vocational advice.
It was anticipated that whilst these
initiatives and the implementation of the Scrutiny Committee
recommendations should contributed to a reduction in the overall
number of young people who were NEET, the overall figures of NEET
young people was likely to be adversely affected by the economic
recession and its impact on youth employment and training
opportunities.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the progress on the recommendations as detailed in the report be
noted.
(2) T H A
T the Scrutiny Committee receive a further progress report on the
recommendations of Children and Young People Not in Education,
Employment or Training (NEET) in six months time.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) In
acknowledgement of progress made to date.
(2) To
enable the Scrutiny Committee to review progress in regard to the
Task and Finish Group recommendations.
283 SEF BRIEFING PAPER
(DLD) -
The Scrutiny Committee gave consideration to a
comprehensive briefing prepared by the Head of School Improvement
which set out progress in regard to the implementation of the
National School Effectiveness Framework (SEF). The report
encompassed the services Focussed for Improvement and effectiveness
based on the principles and expected activities
('non-negotiables'). These were:
·
the National Purpose for Schools in Wales (as set out in School
Effectiveness Framework: Building Effective Learning Communities
Together, 2008);
·
embedding of the SEF through the implementation of policy aligned
strategically at all three levels;
·
a focus on challenge, support and collaboration, to reduce
variations in performance within and between schools and local
authorities, based upon an agreed model for school improvement and
closely linked with the New Understanding between WAG and local
authorities;
·
annual self-evaluation updates using Estyn's Common Inspection
Framework and development tools related to the School Effectiveness
Profile to enable them to identify areas for
improvement The self-evaluation local authorities
undertake will form the basis of Estyn's inspections. Estyn
will support the development of a self-evaluation toolkit for local
authorities, working closely with ADEW, DCELLS and the WAO;
·
a focus on developing high quality leadership and training at all
levels within the system;
·
the promotion of networking, collaboration and clustering within,
between and across schools, including Professional Learning
Communities (PLC’s) and other means to improve learning
outcomes, by focusing on the reduction of variation within and
between schools. The focus of such collaboration should be on
teaching and learning;
·
the effective analysis of data;
·
a focus on inclusion and equity so as to reduce the link between
various forms of disadvantage and educational achievement;
·
linking local authority performance to outcome agreements; and
·
rationalising and re-focusing grants to meet the objectives of the
SEF.
The report also detailed arrangements in
respect of meeting the requirements in regard to the following
areas:
·
Implementation of the National Model for School Improvement
(NMSI)
·
The School Effectiveness Profile (SEP)
·
Consortium Capacity Building for SEF - System Leadership
·
Implementation of Key Milestones and Actions
·
Local Authority Capacity Building for SEF - Professional Learning
Communities (PLCs)
·
Rationalisation of the BSF Grant to Better Support SEF - CPD
Activities to Reflect SEF and National Model Criteria (Training
Directory).
In conclusion, the Head of Service indicated
that in the Vale of Glamorgan and with the benefits of the findings
of a recent Estyn Inspection there was a need to engage in the
following to support the SEF implementation process:
·
To engage school leaders in further discussions about the statutory
role of the local Authority as set out in the Partnership Agreement
and in the context of the National Model.
·
To continue with the work involved in 'mapping and gapping' our
current systems and processes for School Improvement against the
National Model.
·
Engage Head teachers in discussions about how we can work better
within the current systems based on a improved shared
understanding.
·
Use the existing, newly formed Strategy Teams to facilitate the
above enhances by the use of the Statement of Strategic Intent.
·
Continue to engage HT in the work of Professor Alma Harris on PLCs
and distributed leadership to further develop work commenced on
11th May PLC event.
·
Facilitate Strategy team feedback to HT and to the R and D and TSP
Programmes.
·
Ensure that robust data analysis informs all work.
·
Ensure that the rationale for challenge is based on data, PIAP, the
NM and Education 2015.
·
Utilise CS Consortium to enhance implementation of emerging
futures.
·
Ensure that all findings inform the work of the R and D and TSP
programme to focus on the establishment of a joint SI support
programme.
·
To use the SEP with individual schools via the R and D programme
and to collate an Authority wide picture of need.
Having regard to the above and related issues
it was
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the progress of the implementation of the National School
Effectiveness Framework (SEF) made to date be endorsed.
(2) T H A
T a further progress report be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee
in December 2010.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) In
acknowledgement of action taken to date in regard to the progress
of the implementation of the National School Effectiveness
Framework.
(2) To
allow the Scrutiny Committee to review progress in regard to the
implementation of SEF.
284 ADULT LITERACY AND
NUMERACY (DLD) -
The Council's Basic Skills and English for
Speakers of Other Languages Services based at Provincial House role
was to help those adults within the Vale of Glamorgan who wished to
improve or refresh their reading, writing, language, numeracy or IT
skills. The Service was funded through a franchise with Barry
College and held the Basic Skills Agency Post 16 Quality Mark and
was working towards achieving the new Quality Standard for Basic
Skills. The objectives of the Service in the main was to
widen participation and encourage lifelong learning through a
variety of options and the report detailed some of the activities
undertaken by the Service.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the work of the Basic
Skills and ESOL be noted.
Reason for recommendation
In acknowledgement of developments made in the
Basic Skills, Family Learning and ESOL Service.
285 SCRUTINY DECISION
TRACKING OF RECOMMENDATIONS (DLPPHS) -
The report detailed progress in respect of
uncompleted recommendations made by the Scrutiny Committee and
those which were determined as agreed in regard to the first
quarter 2010/11, details of which were as set out in Appendix A to
the report; the financial year 2009/10 (Appendix B) and the
financial year 2008/09 (Appendix C).
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the following actions detailed below be accepted as
completed:
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19 April 2010
Min. No. 1088 - The Proposed
Publication of Statutory Notices to Establish New Seed Schools in
Barry and Llantwit Major - Recommended
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(2) That
the minutes of the meeting be referred to Cabinet for their
consideration.
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Minutes referred to Cabinet on
19th May. Completed.
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Min. No. 1091 - Scrutiny Committee
Tracking of Recommendations - Recommended
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(3) That
the report on the Penarth Campus Proposals (referred to above) be
presented to the Committee when available.
[16 March 2009: Min. No. 910 -
Revenue and Capital Monitoring for the Period 1st April
2008 to 31st January 2009 (DLD) -
Recommended
(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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This matter was considered by the Committee
under the auspices of the School Investment Strategy on
2nd June, 2010. Completed.
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28 June 2010
Min No. 151 - Estyn Inspection -
Education Services for Children and Young People in the Vale of
Glamorgan (DLD) - Recommended
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(2) That a
further report including the draft Action Plan be submitted to the
next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee for consideration
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Report on agenda for 26th July
meeting. Completed.
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1 June 2009
Min. No. 68 - Children and Young
Peoples Plan (DLD) - Recommended
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(2) That a
further report be presented on the revised Action Plan to the
7th September meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.
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Presented on 28th June 2010.
Completed.
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29 June 2009
Min. No. 150 - Youth Offenders -
Education, Training and Employment (CX) (Exempt Information
Paragraphs 12 and 13) - Recommended
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(1) That
the Scrutiny Committee regularly receives progress updates on the
Youth Offending Service.
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Report presented June 2010.
Completed.
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27 July 2009
Min. No. 255 - Community Strategy
Review (REF) - Recommended
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(4) That 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.
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Report on agenda for 26th July,
2010. Completed.
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Min. No. 259 - End of Year Reporting
2008/09 (DLD) - Recommended
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(3) That
the Head of Lifelong Learning notify Members of the costs
associated with the non-return of books.
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Report presented to Committee on
2nd June 2010. Completed.
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5 October 2009
Min. No. 442 - Corporate Parenting
(DLD) - Recommended
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That the Director of Learning and Development
submit a further report to a future meeting on arrangements for the
development and delivery of interventions to support the needs of
Looked After Children and Care Leavers in relation to education
provision.
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Added to work programme. Date to be
fixed to be reported to Committee. Completed.
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18 January 2010
Min. No. 797 - Draft Service Plan
2009/10 - School Improvement (DLD) - Recommended
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(3) That
the Director submit a further report as soon as practicable
regarding a six month progress report in relation to NEETs.
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On agenda for 26th July 2010.
Completed.
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(2) T H A
T progress against the remaining recommendations detailed in the
report be noted.
Reason for recommendations
(1&2) To keep Members apprised of
progress with Scrutiny Committee recommendations.