Agenda and minutes

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:-

AnstonPark Infants                            Mr G Tanfield                 20/3/07

KivetonPark Infant                              Mrs R Rogers                20/3/07   

Maltby Crags Infant                            Mrs C Crehon                20/3/07

Maltby Crags Infant                            Mrs G Lawrence           20/3/07

Wickersley Northfield                         Mr M Povey                   Not Appointed         

St Marys Catholic ( Herringthorpe)   Mr A Veal                       20/3/07   

St Thomas C of E Kilnhurst                Mr J Underwood           20/3/07   

Brinsworth  Comprehensive              Mrs S Ahmed                20/3/07

Maltby Manor Primary                       Mr J Wright                   1/4/07

Maltby Manor Primary                       Mr P Scholey                 1/4/07

Maltby Manor Primary                       Mrs V Coldwell              1/4/07

The above appointments are subject to satisfactory checks being undertaken.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Learning Services which set out the GCSE examination results for 2006 and how they compared to previous years, to the national average and to the results of statistical neighbours.

The Director of Learning Services reported on the key points contained in the report.  Overall, the percentage of pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs at the higher grade A*-C has increased from 49.5% in 2005 to 52.2% in 2006, against a national average of 59.2%.

This is an improvement of 2.7% for Rotherham schools (2005 to 2006), against a national improvement of 2.1% and is the fourth year running where Rotherham’s performance has increased at a greater rate than the national rate of improvement.

The gap between the performance of schools in Rotherham and the national average has narrowed from 9.8% in 2002 to 7.0% in 2006.

The gap between the performance of schools in Rotherham and Statistical Neighbours (SN) average has narrowed from 3.4% in 2002 to 1.6% in 2006.

The Council, through its Single Plan for Children and Young People’s Services, is striving to raise the attainment of pupils in all Rotherham schools.  Eleven secondary schools improved their results this year with two schools showing significantly improved results of 14% and over.  The focus for support in 2007/08 is on those schools where the progress of pupils from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4 is less than that which would be expected in similar schools (FFT B) nationally using the estimates provided by the Fischer Family Trust data information system.

The meeting discussed:-

-                       the potential for improvement at Key Stage 4

-                       literacy and language gender differences

-                       learning through vocational routes

-                       breakdown of figures in relation to pupils leaving school in 2006 with no GCSE equivalent passes

-                       gender differences in English and Mathematics results

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

(2)         That the improved levels of performance at the end of Key Stage 4, most particularly when compared to results reported nationally, be noted.

(3)         That Members encourage all schools to continue to improve their results, and strive to achieve outcomes at least in line with the national rate of improvement.

(4)  That Members endorse the drive to:-

-                       reduce the gap between Rotherham’s performance and the national average performance;

-                       improve boys’ attainment;

-                       improve the attainment of black, minority ethnic (BME) pupils and

-                       improve the attainment of Looked After Children (LAC)

(5)  That the report be forwarded to Cabinet for consideration.

- to note the resignation of Andrew Bedford Strategic Director, Financial Services from the Yorkshire & Humberside Grid for Learning (YHGFL) and to approve the appointment of Graham Sinclair, Director of Resources and Access, Children and Young People’s Services

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Service Resources and Access which gave information on the resignation as Director of Andrew Bedford, Strategic Director, Financial Services from the Yorkshire and Humberside Grid for Learning (YHGFL) Foundation Company.

The report sought permission to appoint Graham Sinclair, Director of Service Resources and Access, Children and Young People’s Services, as the replacement Director.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the resignation as Director of Andrew Bedford, Strategic Director, Financial Services from the Yorkshire and Humberside Grid for Learning (YHGFL) Foundation Company be noted and that the appointment of Graham Sinclair, Director of Resources and Access, Children and Young People’s Services as the replacement director be agreed.

(2)  That the Company be informed of the resignation and appointment.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Service Resources & Access which covered issues that have arisen as a result of the annual consultation exercise with and between schools and other LEAs.  (All admission authorities must determine their arrangements by 15^th April 2007). 

In addition, the report gave an update on the outcome of the DfES’ consultation on the new Schools Admissions Code, the final version of which has now been published.

Annex 1 of the report detailed the LEA’s consultation document, which had been considered by governing bodies during the Autumn Term 2006.  This has been accessible on the Authority’s website between 1^st February and 1^st March, 2007.

All feedback received by the Authority is summarised in Annex 2, which includes an update on the final version of the new Schools Admission Code and its main implications.

The Local Admissions Forum was to consider this report at their next meeting.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed admission numbers contained within Annex 1 for community and controlled schools be confirmed for 2008/09, subject to the clarifications/amendments contained in Annex 2 Ai.

(2)         That the proposed admissions criteria for community and controlled schools be agreed, subject to the following clarification on the treatment of twins/triplets/multiple births and those resident in flats or equidistant from a school:

i)               all twins/triplets/multiple births will continue to be treated equally, even where this results in an admission number being exceeded, and

ii)             where places are being allocated based on the distance criteria or as part of the distance tie-breaker, and there are insufficient places within the admission number for two (or more) pupils living in the same building (e.g. flats) or otherwise equidistant from the school, then any final place will be allocated by the simple drawing of lots.

(3)         That changes relating to voluntary aided schools shown at Annex 2 b i) and ii) be noted.

(4)          That the appropriate notice be published in respect of the proposed admission numbers for schools named in Annex 2, 4, where the current admission number will be less than that indicated by the current net capacity calculation.

(5)         That this report be placed on the Authority’s website, all appropriate admission authorities be informed of the determinations and the appropriate notice on final determination be published.

(6)         That this report be forwarded to the Local Admissions Forum (LAF) for consideration at its next meeting and that the LAF be reminded, particularly of its need to consider its future membership and the requirements in relation to an ‘in-year fair access protocol’.

(7)         That the co-ordinated schemes for Primary and Secondary preferences be confirmed.

(8)         That the ‘relevant area’ for 2009/10 admissions be confirmed as the whole of the Rotherham borough.

Pursuant to Minute No. 124 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure held on 20^th February 2007, the Manager, Libraries, Museums and Arts, gave a verbal update on the opportunity which had arisen to submit a bid for funding to the Big Lottery Fund, Community Libraries Programme.

An application was to be submitted by noon on Friday, 30^th March, 2007 with a decision being given in September.  A Project Plan, Capital Plan and Community Engagement Plan was to be submitted by March, 2008 with a start on site by October, 2008.

Information from Asset Management was presently awaited with regard to likely cost of build, together with information from the Community Involvement Team, particularly around opportunities for further community engagement.

A Draft Project Summary and Outcomes had been sent to Ward Councillors.

Resolved:-  That the verbal report be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Director of Finance which provided 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 January 2007 and the projected year end outturn position.

It is anticipated at this point that projected expenditure will show a small overspend of £24,000 against approved budget by the end of the financial year.  This is primarily a consequence of an unfunded increase in energy costs.

Details of the revenue budget position for Culture and Leisure Services for the monitoring period ending on 31^st January 2007 are shown at Appendix A.

The Culture and Leisure Services budget includes savings of £400,000 to be made during the year in respect of the realignment of services, as reported in earlier reports to members.  Proposals to achieve £226,000 of savings were approved at the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure meeting held on 9^th August, 2006.  In addition it is suggested that the £257,000 interest in the Pit House West fund is utilised to deal with the slippage on service realignment.

Additional budget pressures have been identified in respect of increased energy charges from suppliers.  The Service is estimating an additional cost of £200,000 for the year within Leisure facilities and Libraries due to increased charges.  A sum of £140,000 has been made available to off-set this increase from the corporate Contingency account but nevertheless this leaves an unfunded pressure of £49,000.

Resolved:-  That the current forecast outturn position based on actual costs and income to 31^st January 2007 and forecast costs and income to 31^st March 2007 be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Service Resources & Access which informed that, under the Local Authority (Post-Compulsory Education Awards) Regulations 2000, LAs are required to make an annual determination on exercising powers to make financial awards to new HE and FE students.

The Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 removed the power for LEAs to make discretionary awards to FE (and HE) students under the 1962 Education Act.  Previous to this, the LEA had operated a scheme of financial support to FE, sixth form and some HE students who would otherwise have not been eligible for funding.  Section 129 of The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 conferred a revised power on LEAs, should they wish to use it, to make awards to new FE (and HE) students, and to 16-19 year olds who are still attending school.

In parallel with the removal of the power to make discretionary awards, funding was withdrawn from the Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) from 1999-2000.  From that date, the LEA determined not to make any new awards.  New funding was available to students from a new Standards Fund in the form of Learner Support Funds.  In addition, since September 2004, the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) has been available to FE learners.

Authorities are however still required to make an annual determination for each financial year in regard to the revised power conferred in 1998.  They have 3 main choices under the regulations:

i)                     to determine not to take up the power in any circumstances and not make any provision for considering applications;

ii)                   to decide to exercise the power only in respect of certain groups or categories of student;  or

iii)                  to decide to exercise the power generally and consider applications from all students – still in accordance with its policies on eligibility.

The point was made that while statutory funding is available for eligible students and courses, the Dance and Drama Awards, Residential Pilot Scheme, Career Development Loans and private scholarships may be available for ineligible students and courses.  Education Maintenance Allowances and Learner Support Funds now exist to support students in Further Education.

Resolved:-  That the Authority determines not to take up the power in any circumstances and not make provision for considering applications for awards to new FE and HE students, and to 16-19 year olds who are still attending school.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following item in order to keep Members fully informed):-

In accordance with Minute No. 129 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure held on 13^th March, 2007, the Green Spaces Manager gave a verbal update on progress made towards new leisure provision for young people on the Wentworth Meadows estate following complaints about their use of the play area at Leewood Close.

Following the decision taken to remove and landscape the play area, a rough estimate of what was considered to be a minimal scheme, based on a visual inspection by a Contractor, was approximately £19,500.  This was to remove equipment which was currently insitu and reinstate the grass to deter football being played.

The involvement of local residents in the removal of the play area in order to deal with issues that are currently happening would require a Project Plan to be drawn up.

At this stage resources have not been identified for the cost of this work in the short term and it is proposed to review the options in the new financial year.

The meeting discussed:-

-                       land ownership

-                       consultation with St. Paul’s Developers/Brampton Parish Council

-                       potential for Capital Funding

Resolved:-  That the verbal report be noted.

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 relates to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the Council).

The Cabinet Member opened two tenders received for a Contract to supply Dry Goods.

Resolved:-  That the tenders be evaluated and the appropriate tender accepted in accordance with delegated powers.

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – information relating to the amount of expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the supply of goods or services).