Agenda and minutes

The minutes of a previous meeting held on 23^rd May, 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

(1)               Transfer of BarPark, Thorpe Hesley

The meeting was informed that a response from Sheffield City Council was presently awaited with regard to the transfer of Bar Park on the terms proposed by Sheffield.

(2)               Petition – Residents of Warren House Close, Bramley

The meeting was informed that a letter had been received from a resident stating that the problem with youths using this no ball-game area had now been resolved.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the above meeting held on 7^th June, 2006 be received.

The Policy, Planning and Partnerships Manager, Children and Young People’s Services submitted the Annual Report which provided details of the comments and complaints made to Children and Young People’s Services during 2005/2006.

This was the first Annual Report representing the Children and Young People’s Services Programme Area and was split between Culture and Leisure and Social Care provision.

In 2005/2006, 191 complaints were made at Stage 1.  Ten complaints were made at Stage 2 about services provided by Children and Young People’s Services.

These included:-

• 34 in relation to library facilities
• 24 in relation to leisure facilities
• 3 in relation to green spaces

The Annual Report provides information about the comments and complaints made to Children and Young People’s Services.  The Complaints Team process the complaints for each Service Area and individual managers deal with complaints at Stage 1.  For Stage 2 complaints, independent investigators are appointed to investigate the complaint and if the complaint is made by a child or on behalf of a child, an independent person is appointed to oversee the complaint.

It was noted that new statutory legislation is to be implemented in July 2006.  This will affect the existing complaints procedures for Children and Young People Services.

Resolved:-   That the first Annual Report 2005/2006 regarding complaints for the Children and Young People’s Programme Area be received and noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Head of Strategic Partnerships, Corporate Services, which gave an update on the Schools PFI Project: Spring/Summer 2006.

The Schools PFI Project involves a partnership between the Council and Transform Schools (Rotherham) Ltd.  The contract includes the rebuilding/refurbishment of 15 schools and their facilities management for a period of 30 years from 1^st April, 2004.

By the end of December 2006, the project will provide:-

• New schools for Coleridge, Ferham, Kimberworth, Maltby Crags Infant, Maltby Crags Junior, Meadowhall and Thornhill Primaries;

      and Winterhill, Wingfield and Wath Secondaries.

• Part new build and refurbished schools at East Dene and Wath Central Primaries;

      and Clifton, Thrybergh and Wickersley Secondaries.

• Additionally, extended school use will be provided as follows:-  new Key Young Persons’ Centres will be provided at Thornhill Primary and Wath Secondary; and significantly refurbished centres at Wingfield, Clifton, Thrybergh and WinterhillSecondary Schools.

      SureStart facilities at Ferham, Thornhill and Wingfield.

      Space for Sports and Arts facilities at Ferham.

      Children’s Centres at Coleridge and Kimberworth.

      Clifton Project facilities at the Cranworth Road site.

The project continues to progress well with nine schools now operating on Full Services with further successful handovers for the start of term in (a) January 2006 of:-

• WinterhillSchool
• Clifton Upper – ADT Block (Cranworth Road site)

And (b) at Easter 2006 of:-

• Thrybergh Comprehensive
• Wath Central Primary, incorporating Wath Park Infants

Construction is now underway at all remaining school sites and is summarised as follows:-

·        Clifton Upper/Cranworth Road site - The new build sports complex        started in April 2006 for completion in December 2006.

·        Wickersley - The next phase is underway and the full school is on             target for completion by September 2006.

·        Coleridge Primaryand Children’s Centre - Due to uncharted asbestos in           the existing building, the main building start was delayed by approximately 7       weeks but every effort is currently being made to achieve the original           completion date of September 2006.

·        East Dene Primary - Started September 2005 and is due for completion            for September 2006. The whole school moved into the Clifton Upper          School building following adaptation during Summer 2005. This was to           allow their existing school to be renewed and remodelled in a safe and      more   efficient  manner.

·        Meadowhall Primary - Started July 2005 and due for completion for       September 2006.

·        Kimberworth Primaryand Children’s Centre - Started September          2005 and due for completion for September 2006.

The project won “The Best Operational Education Project” at the Public Private Finance Awards 2006 in London in May 2006 and is finalist in the Municipal Journal Local Government Achievement Awards 2006 for “Public Private Partnerships Achievement of the Year” in London in June 2006.

Resolved:-  That progress on the Schools PFI Project be noted.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following item in order to process the matter referred to without further delay)

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Culture and Leisure which set out the service priorities for the Culture & Leisure Service Plan 2006-2009.

The Culture & Leisure Service Plan is produced and written in accordance with corporate guidelines for performance management.

The Plan set out:-

• Priorities and Aims
• Links to the Council’s Performance Management Framework and Corporate Plan themes of:

-                      Learning

-                      Achieving

-                      Alive

-                      Safe

-                      Proud

-                      Fair

-                      Sustainable

-                      Excellent

·        Culture & Leisure Service Profiles

·        The Statutory Framework for Culture & Leisure Services

·        Key Recent Achievements

·        Performance Indicators and Targets

A consolidation and strengthening of the performance management systems established for Culture & Leisure during 2005/06 will take place in 2006/07.

Quarterly progress against performance indicators will be reported to the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure and appropriate Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved:-  That the Culture & Leisure Service Plan 2006-2009 be approved.