Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9^th August, 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

Christmas Illuminations

Further to Minute No. 14 of a meeting of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 22^nd August 2006, which had arisen due to a call-in request, the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, Culture & Leisure reconsidered the decision made at the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure meeting held on 9^th August 2006, as set out in Minute No. 33 (2) of that meeting.

Resolved:-  That resolution (33 (2)) of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure held on 9^th August, 2006, be not acted upon and that the Performance and Overview Scrutiny Committee be asked to refer the matter to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel with a request that they undertake a short review to consider the provision of Christmas illuminations, district Christmas trees and Christmas trees at gateway sites, to inform the tendering process that is to be undertaken early in 2007, the findings to be reported back to the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure on 14th November, 2006.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the Leisure/Joint Service Centre Project Board held on 12^th July, 2006 be received.

Project Development Timescale

The meeting was informed that a report was to be submitted to the next meeting of both the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel and the Regeneration and Asset Board which would outline the reason for a recent change in the timetable for the project development.

Although the date of financial closure had been slightly delayed, it was hoped to complete all building work on schedule, by the Summer of 2008, with the exception of the Second Phase of the Maltby project, which would be completed one year later.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the International Links Committee held on 27^th July, 2006 be received.

- to receive the Access Fund Policy

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Head of Service, Resources & Access which gave details of a proposed Access Fund Policy for the purpose of distributing the annual funding allocation of Access funds from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) makes an annual funding allocation to local authorities of Access funds aimed at providing financial assistance to students aged 16 and over studying in school sixth forms.  The local authority must have a written policy for how it will distribute the funds.  The funding allocation for the 2006/07 academic year is £26,506.

The Student Support Section administers the Access Fund by means of an application form distributed via school sixth forms.  Account is taken of household income when considering applications and support is available for travel, school, field trips and university open days.  The household income ceiling for financial assessment is £40,000.  Students who have a particular financial need due to family circumstances or a disability may apply, with the support of a school tutor, and be exempt from a household financial assessment. 

The 2006/07 policy, which set out the eligibility criteria, application and assessment procedure and type of help available, has been written in line with the LSC funding guidance.

Resolved:-  That the proposed Access Fund Policy, as submitted, be received.

Consideration was given to two petitions containing a total of five hundred and forty-nine signatures against the closure of Herringthorpe Community Library.

Resolved:-  That the Head of Service Culture and Leisure acknowledge receipt of the petitions and write to the organisers of both petitions to outline the current situation.

Resolved:-  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 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

(Information relating to the financial and business affairs of the Council)

The Cabinet Member opened seven tenders received for the above Contract.

Resolved:- That the Manager, Libraries, Museums and Arts evaluate the tenders for the Pantomime Contract December 2007-January 2010 and report the details of the evaluation and selection process to a future meeting.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – the report contains information relating to the financial and business affairs of the Council).