Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public or press.

The Scrutiny Adviser reported that each scrutiny panel must plan its forward work programme.  This was normally done on a rolling six month basis and discussed by the panel each quarter.

In view of the uncertainty as to how scrutiny panels will be arranged in the new municipal year, a suggested short term work programme for this Scrutiny Panel was submitted, and suggestions for scrutiny topics for the 2005/06 municipal year were requested.

Members noted the themed meeting on “Inclusive Education” arranged for 25^th April, 2005 and the earlier suggestion of a scrutiny review of “Key Stage 4 and preparation for the world of work”.

The following scrutiny topics for the 2005/06 municipal year were suggested:-

(a)                School Meals, covering all aspects and including healthy food policies;

(b)                How spoken English is taught in our schools;

(c)                Physical Education in schools;

(d)                Policies for pupils’ absence during the school day;

(e)                Adult Community Learning – take up rates

Comment was made on the review process and how the findings of reviews were actioned.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the arrangements for the “Inclusive Education” themed meeting on 25^th April, 2005 be noted.

(2)         That the latest Key Stage 4 results be reported to the May panel meeting.

(3)         That a report be submitted to this Scrutiny Panel in respect of (d) and (e).

(4)  That the first scrutiny review of the new municipal year be on school meals.

Consideration was given to a budget monitoring report as at December, 2004.

It was the seventh budget monitoring report for Education Culture and Leisure Services in 2004/05.  The current forecast was an overspend against budget of £553,000 (0.35%), the breakdown being £485,000 in Culture and Leisure Services and £68,000 for Education Services.

A detailed analysis of budget variances was submitted, along with reasons for overspends and particular areas of budget pressures.

Members were also informed of risks presently identified and which were being evaluated.

It was noted that all necessary steps were being taken in order to reduce overspending for the Programme Area.

Concerns were expressed at the overspend situation particularly in respect of Education Services.

Members were informed of the outcome position for Education Services for the past three years, it being noted that there had been an underspend last year.

Members were reminded of their suggestions in respect of the budget for 2005/06 and noted that a base budget review was presently being undertaken across the Council, which would include ECALS.  Culture and Leisure Services would be one of the first to be reviewed.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report on the forecast outturn for 2004/05 based on actual costs to 31^st December 2005, and forecast costs to the end of March 2005, be noted.

(2)  That a report on overspends/underspends on Education Services, compared with the EFSS for the past five years, be submitted to a future meeting of this Scrutiny Panel.

The acting Strategic Leader reported on progress of the Schools PFI Project.

By December 2006, there will be new schools for Coleridge, Ferham, Kimberworth, Maltby Crags Infant, Maltby Crags Junior, Meadowhall and Thornhill Primaries and Winterhill, Wingfield and Wath Secondaries.

Additionally, new key Young Person’s Centres will be provided at Thornhill Primary and Wath Secondary; and significantly refurbished centres at Wingfield, Clifton, Thrybergh and WinterhillSecondary schools.

Handovers of 3 schools will happen over Easter at Wath Comprehensive, A Language College and Maltby Crags Junior and Infant Schools.

Good progress continues to be made at Clifton (Middle Lane site) and Wingfield.  Both will be completed for September 2005, when the project will see 6 of the 15 schools fully operational.  Other live sites at Wickersley, Thrybergh and Winterhill are also making good progress on timetable and design development is in progress for the remaining projects.

Particular comments and concerns were made relating to issues on the projects at Clifton and WathSecondary Schools, which were answered and clarified for the information of members.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report on progress on the Schools PFI Project be noted.

(2)  That Ward Councillors be informed of the situation relating to the issue raised in respect of Clifton School.

The Information and Performance Review Manager gave an end of year progress report on the ICT Action Plan for 2004/05.

The report indicated that against targets of 100%, 59% of actions had been completed and 66% of key actions completed.

The areas of noted progress, set out in the report submitted, were expanded upon along with the Actions not yet achieved.

Subsequent comments made reference to:-

a)                  the situation on Data Protection in that draft guidelines for a protocol were being formulated which would be sent out for consultation prior to the final draft being submitted to members;

b)                  legislation relating to checks on staff working with children;

c)                  redundant computers and future use of them

Resolved:-  That the progress report on the ICT Action Plan for 2004/05 be noted.

Consideration was given to the content of a report which outlined performance at the end of the 3^rd quarter 2004/05 against targets with comparisons against 2003/04 actuals and 2003.04 All England top quartile authorities.

The risk column for the performance indicators represented the probability of the components meeting their published target.

A summary of the risk assessments was set out in the report submitted.

Particular discussion took place on the areas of high risk such as the number of childcare places allocated and school exclusions.

On exclusions, information was requested on comparisons between schools regarding the numbers of pupils excluded.

It was reported that although this element was in the high risk category, the number of exclusions by Rotherham schools was lower than neighbouring authorities.

The preventative work undertaken with pupils exhibiting behavioural problems was outlined.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report on Performance Indicators be received.

The acting Strategic Leader reported on the most significant actions over the period September 2004 to February 2005 for the Action and Improvement Plan for the Best Value Review of Lifelong Learning.

Areas for improvement and development over all age profiles were identified.

Resolved:-  That the report be received and the actions contained in the monitoring report be noted.

Consideration was given to the content of a report which summarised the number of complaints received by Education Culture and Leisure Services within the period April to September 2004, with comparative analysis by category and 2003 data.

The report included details of individual complaints received, whether or not they were upheld and subsequent action taken.

The information submitted did not include school complaints.

Resolved:-  That the report be received.

The Strategic Leader, Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning gave an update on the progress made by Cultural Services following the Regular Performance Assessment carried out by the Audit Commission in January 2004.

The report submitted set out the work done to date to determine strategic outcomes and target audiences for the Service Area, in line with the requirements of the Audit Commission and the revised Rotherham MBC Service Planning Guidance.

A summary was given of the main areas for improvement and the progress being made in respect of each.

Particular comments were made in respect of:-

-                       the links of the Culture and Leisure Service Plan with the Corporate Plan and Community Plan;

-                       the cost involved to fund certain elements of improvements required and to prioritise accordingly

Strategic Outcomes were highlighted along with Priority Communities which would be targeted for additional service focus.

On this latter issue, the benefits of working more with parish councils were discussed.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)  That the proposed Strategic Outcomes and target audiences be noted which would allow the Culture and Leisure Service Plan to be prepared.

The Trees and Woodlands Officer report on Rotherham MBC’s Woodlands Estate in terms of its public benefits and management.

The report submitted set out:-

-                       the extent of Rotherham’s Woodlands Estate, the land covered by woodland in the Borough being 8% compared with the national average of approximately 16%

-                       the management of Council owned woodlands in order to guide their long term care

-                       opportunities for the future and aligning management of the woodland estate to the emerging Green Spaces Strategy

Discussion took place on the following issues:-

a)                  the involvement of other organisations with woodlands and green spaces;

b)                  the damage to woodlands by ongoing problems with off road motor cycles.  Concerns were again raised at the lack of funding to address the problem;

c)                  the species of tree used for new planning

Resolved:-  That the report be received and its content noted.

Further to Minute No. 162 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member Education, Culture and Leisure Services held on the 1^st March 2005, the acting Senior School Improvement Adviser informed the meeting of the progress and impact of the Intensifying Support Programme now operating in ten primary schools.

The purpose of the programme was to raise attainment in those schools with results consistently below the DfES floor target of 65% of pupils achieving Level 4 or above at the end of Key Stage 2 for English and for Maths.

The report submitted set out in detail:-

-                       the aims of the programme

-                       how schools were identified

-                       amount and nature of support

-                       evaluation of support and success of the programme

Also submitted was a letter from Ofsted relating to HMI evaluation of the Programme.

Resolved:-  That the report be received.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting held on the 21^st February, 2005 be received as a correct record.

A member expressed concern at the way in which this matter had been dealt with, being of the view that it was an issue for this Scrutiny Panel to discuss.

The matter had been raised at the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee at its meeting held on 25^th February 2005, and the concerns had been noted.

Resolved:-  That the Chairman of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee be requested to attend a future meeting of this Scrutiny Panel to outline the reasons for the decision made.

Resolved:-  That the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Education, Culture and Leisure Services held on the 8^th and 15^th February and 1^st March 2005 be noted.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the above Board held on the 3^rd February 2005 be received.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 11^th and 25^th February 2005 be received.

Further to Minute No. 107 of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on the 11^th February 2005, discussion took place on the frequency of meetings for the Lifelong Learning Opportunities Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved:-  That the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee be informed that members of the Lifelong Learning Opportunities Scrutiny Panel would prefer its meetings to take place every four weeks, avoiding school half-term holidays and August.

Resolved:-  That the May meeting of this Scrutiny Panel take place on the 16^th May, not the 23^rd May 2005.