Agenda and minutes

Jason Ollivent, Head of Information Systems RBT gave a verbal update on progress to date with the installation of the Learning Grid to schools.

Circuits are now installed on 14 sites and work was progressing to install further circuits on a weekly basis in order to meet the delivery date.   This would be done at a rate of 7.5 sites per week to hit the target of 15^th December.

Access issues were discussed for half term.  It was emphasised this was a key period in which to complete work.

Installation was due to take place at 105 sites, rather than the 103 sites originally contracted for.

Discussion ensued on a range of issues, as follows:-

-                       Primary schools - connectivity

-                       Secondary schools – connectivity/accessibility/consent/delays

-                       Progress Meetings/Communication between all parties

-                       Pre- work Surveys

-                       Timetable of work in view of impending Half Term Holiday

-                       Server farm

-                       Espresso (Virtual Learning Environment) installation

-                       Introduction to the Grid

-                       Purchase of software

-                       Delivery Team – to connect schools to the Grid

-                       Networking equipment – maintenance

-                       Microsoft Concept Work

Resolved:-  (1)  That a further update report be given on the 19^th October, 2004 prior to the half term break.

(2)  That a further meeting be convened in the event of the need to consider any urgent issues.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Leader, Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning on the progress made in complying with BV156 and requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (an ongoing responsibility) for buildings under the control of the Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Service.

The report outlined the various duties of the Council under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 and explained that Part III relates to physical alterations/improvements, (which is legally enforceable from 1^st October, 2004).  It is required to take reasonable steps to remove, alter or provide a reasonable means of avoiding a physical feature of council premises (i.e. not only buildings) which makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use the services provided there.

The DDA duty relates to access to and use of services, whereas BV 156 sets a standard which has to be met by the whole of the public areas of a building for it to count towards compliance with the indicator.

It is not possible to reach a point of compliance with the DDA duty as the anticipatory duties under Part III are continuing and evolving.  What is reasonable now may not be sufficient in the future:  what is not reasonable now may be in the future with sufficient time to plan, set aside funding, etc.  There are therefore no ‘national targets’ as such.

The authority has set an internal target of 10% of the Council’s public buildings being accessible/usable to disabled people in accordance with BV 156 in 2004/05, rising to 15% in 2005/06 and 20%  in 2006/2007.

The report set out a list of key buildings under the management of the Education, Culture and Leisure Services Programme Area, and identified programmed works and levels of compliance at each of the buildings.

It was pointed out that the level of progress was as a result of partnership working within the Local Authority which it was felt was making reasonable steps towards compliance.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)          That a further update report be submitted in three months time.

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Strategic Leader, Resources and Information regarding the need to adjust the plans for Winterhill to allow a further new build of six general classrooms to take place.

WinterhillSecondary School is part of the Schools PFI project.  Planning for the second phase is well underway and the build begins from January 2005.  However, due to a rise in pupil numbers, it has become necessary to propose the permanent building of additional classrooms.  This would be funded by the Education Capital Programme during 2005/06.

The School is being built to receive a capacity of 1450 children.  However, because of an increase in the number of children since the announcement of the merger with KimberworthComprehensive School, it is clear that the school will have around 1700 children until 2007/08 and between 1500 and 1600 children for the next 5 years.   Current plans were to locate up to 6 temporary classrooms (over and above the capacity of 1450) on the site until around 2009, when it was thought numbers would have decreased sufficiently to allow their removal.  It is clear that this will not happen.

Resolved:-  (1)  That additional build as described in Section 7 of the report, now submitted, be approved.

(2)                    That Transform Schools (Rotherham) Limited be instructed to include the additional build as part of the PFI Project.

(3)  That the additional build be funded through the Education Capital Programme in 2005/06.

Further to Minute No. 19 of a meeting of the Lifelong Learning Opportunities Scrutiny Panel held on 26^th July, 2004 consideration was given to the membership of the South Yorkshire Archaeology Committee and South Yorkshire Joint Advisory Committee on Archives.

Resolved:-  That Councillor Austen be nominated to serve on the South Yorkshire Archaeology Committee and South Yorkshire Joint Advisory Committee on Archives.