Agenda and minutes

The minutes of previous meetings held on 6^th and 20^th June, 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

The minutes of the Christmas Carnival Co-ordinating Group held on 8^th June, 2006 were received.

The minutes of a meeting of the LEA Governor Appointment Panel held on 6^th June, 2006 were received.

Pursuant to Minute No. C50 of January 2000, consideration was given to nominations received to fill LEA vacancies on school governing bodies.

Resolved:-  That, with the effective date of appointment, the following appointments be made to school governing bodies:-

Coleridge Primary                               Mrs J Pearson                       12/7/06

DaltonListerdale                                Mr J. Doe                                12/7/06

Swallownest Primary                          Mr C Robinson                       12/7/06

Wales Primary                                    Mr N Biney                              12/7/06

Wales Primary                                    Mrs S Higgins                         12/7/06

West Melton Primary                         Mrs B Lord                             12/7/06

Re-appointments

Aston Springwood Primary                Mrs SM Tillery                        10/9/06

Blackburn Primary                              Cllr A Senior                            17/11/06

MiltonSpecialSchool                         Mrs P Na                                12/11/06

Swinton Fitzwilliam Primary                Mr M Hall                               1/9/06

Swinton Fitzwilliam Primary                Mr A Johnson                         1/9/06

WhistonGrangeSchool                     Mr R Carter                            10/9/06

All the above appointments are subject to satisfactory checks being undertaken.

- currently Councillors Austen and Littleboy

Resolved:-  That Councillors Austen and Littleboy be nominated to serve on the Recycling Group.

- to note the current revenue budget monitoring report as at May, 2006

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Head of Service, Resources and Access which gave details of expenditure, income and the net budget position for Culture and Leisure Services compared to the phased budgets for the period ending on 31^st May 2006 and the projected year end outturn position.  This is the first budget monitoring report for the service for 2006/07.

The current forecast is for the service to achieve a balanced budget by the end of the financial year.

The meeting noted that the current projected outturn assumes implementation of a number of service actions and funding decisions that need to be progressed through the Base Budget Review process.

Resolved:-  That the current forecast outturn position (Balanced Budget) based on actual costs and income to 31^st May 2006 and forecast costs and income to 31^st March 2007 be noted.

In accordance with Minute No. 212 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning held on 25^th April 2006, consideration was given to a report of the School Organisation, Planning and Development Manager on the outcome of the consultation undertaken with School Staff, Parents and the School Governors.

In addition, a copy of the consultation papers had been sent to neighbouring schools and Ward Members.

It is proposed to make a prescribed alteration to East Dene Junior and Infant School from September 2006.  There will be a change in the age range of the school from its existing age range of 4-11 years to 3-11 years.

The school will have 350 places (R-Y6) with a foundation stage unit able to accommodate up to 50 pupils on a part-time basis (25 pupils in the morning and 25 in the afternoon).  The admission number of 50 to the school (reception onwards) will replace the former admission number of 60 with PFI in 2006/07.

Proposals have stood for 6 weeks and, in the absence of any objections, the matter can now be determined by the Local Authority without reference to the School Organisation Committee.

Resolved:- (1)  That, in the absence of any formal objections, the Local Authority has determined the proposal which is to make a prescribed alteration, with effect from 1^st September 2006, by the extension of the age range from 4-11 to 3-11 years at East Dene Junior and Infant School.

(2)  That the School Organisation Committee and Secretary of State be informed accordingly.

Pursuant to Minute No. 215 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning held on 25^th April 2006, consideration was given to a report of the Manager, School Organisation Planning and Development on the outcome of the statutory consultation with School Governors, Staff and Parents on a proposal to amalgamate Maltby Manor Infant and Maltby Manor Junior Schools by closing both schools and opening a new Maltby Manor Primary School.

Proposals for the amalgamation have stood for 6 weeks (from 5^th May to 16^th June) and, in the absence of any objections, the matter can now be determined by the Local Authority without reference to the School Organisation Committee.

Resolved:-  (1)  That, in the absence of any formal objections, the Local Authority has determined the proposal to amalgamate Maltby Manor Infant and Junior Schools, with effect from 1^st April 2007, by closing both schools and opening a new Maltby Manor Primary School.

(2)  That the School Organisation Committee and the Secretary of State be informed accordingly.

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Head of Service, Resources and Access, which contained details of an award made to the Children and Young People’s Services of £1.638m Objective 1 Funding from Measure 3.12 (Enhancing the Curriculum for the World of Work).

This measure targets young people aged 14-19 and will further support the delivery of the work related learning in Rotherham Schools.

In addition, the project contributes towards the achievement of the LSC 14-19 Action Plan for Rotherham and is supported by Rotherham Learning Partnership.

The key aim of the Sustainable Vocational Excellence project is to further enhance the offer of vocational education routes to young people in the Rotherham area.  This project will add value to the investment made by Pathways 1, 2 and 3 projects in the development of innovative activities which result in growth sector related vocational pathways, appropriate qualifications and comprehensive work related learning which will be embedded in curriculum delivery beyond the lifetime of the current funding opportunities.

The proposal will continue to support initiatives created in Pathways to Success 1, 2 and 3 and in addition will target a number of very specific growth sector areas working in partnership with RIDO, Sheffield, Barnsley and Doncaster Children and Young People’s Services and local employers.

The report contained details of Project Delivery and Cross Cutting Themes.

A question was raised with regard to the ability of Schools to support curriculum delivery beyond the term of funding.  The meeting was informed that through the delivery of the Path to Success Projects a sustainable model has been developed which will ensure the continuation of activity post Objective 1 funding.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the information relating to the Pathways to Success – Sustainable Vocational Excellence Project be received.

(2)  That an update report giving specific examples of delivery, and the views of schools involved, be submitted to a future meeting in approximately six months’ time.

That, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3.1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Service, Inclusion, Voice and Influence which contained the details of a fee policy for the Council’s provision of Adult Community Learning across the borough, which is presently being pursued by the Government and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Currently there is no fee charging structure for adult community learning in Rotherham.

RMBC has maintained its delivery of non-accredited learning through grants from the LSC at no cost to the learner.  By comparison, in Further Education there is the assumption that learners (or their sponsors) will contribute 25% of the learning costs by paying fees.  It is the government’s intention that this will rise to 50% by 2010. 

As from September 2006, the assumption is that adult community learning will aim to raise 10% of its grant allocation by the introduction of a fee policy.

For the next year 2006/07 a new structure of funding involving two grant streams is being established.  They are called:

·        First Step Learning/Progression from First Step

      and

·        Personal and Community Development Learning (PCDL)

·        Wider Family Learning and Family Language Literacy and Numeracy will remain as before at no cost to the learners

First Step Learning is intended to primarily target learners who do not yet have a full level 2 qualification and to make a positive contribution to its achievement over time.  It includes information, advice and guidance.  If learning fits this category it could be offered free to the learner.

However, some elements of First Step Learning will incur a fee, at the point of progression to further learning opportunities.

PCDL is intended for provision in each local area, offering a wide range of learning for adults for culture, leisure, community and personal fulfilment purposes, with a better choice of opportunities to encourage adults back into learning.  It does not necessarily need to be linked to progression and where it is defined as learning for its own sake, learners will be expected to contribute.  A fees policy has been written to outline the Service’s approach to fee collection with providers.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be granted for the introduction of a fee policy for the Council’s provision of Adult Community Learning across the borough.

(2)         That the 2006/2007 Adult Community Learning Development Plan be endorsed.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3.1 – Item consists of information relating to the financial/business affairs of the Council).