Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the Leisure Joint Service Centre Project Board held on 30^th March, 2007 be received.

- to receive the information and note the achievement of the SYeLP project overall, and Rotherham, in particular, in exceeding the project targets

Consideration was given to a final report of the Director of Service Resources & Access on the South Yorkshire e-Learning Programme, an Objective 1 supported project.

The aim of the Project was to contribute towards economic regeneration by improving the access to ICT and upskilling the current and future workforce in skills appropriate to a digital economy.  The project commenced in July 2001 and formally ended at 31^st December 2006.

The SYeLP, a public-private partnership involving the four South Yorkshire local authorities, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Research Machines Plc. (RM) received approximately £34m funding from Objective 1, split between ERDF (capital investment) and ESF (staff development).  The programme as a whole was tasked with delivering against the following seven objectives:-

§         Upgrade over 127 education and training institutions with the latest ICT and provide a sub-regional Virtual Learning Environment available to all sites.

§         Support 15,450 adults to participate in lifelong learning by providing a range of freely available courses facilitated by some form of online activity.

§         Deliver training and support to enable 14,778 learners to achieve ‘added-value’ ICT qualifications at Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) or above. 

§         Encourage the development and uptake of vocationally related courses by supporting 12,360 learners to achieve vocationally focussed qualifications including ICT components in Key Stage 4.

§         Build future delivery capacity in ICT courses by training 1,546 teachers, lecturers and trainers to improve personal capability in the use of ICT and support them to deliver a broader range of ICT courses.

§         Train 24,630 persons in their use of ICT at least to an introductory level, to improve confidence and capability (not necessarily to achieve a formal qualification).

§         Provide for 24,630 persons to access e-Learning opportunities through the use of online resources.

The report summarised the achievements made against the project targets, highlighting, in particular, the progress and contribution made by Rotherham organisations and learners.  Progress in Rotherham had exceeded all seven targets set and the report highlighted a total of fourteen specific projects undertaken in Rotherham.

The report concluded with an outline of future development pathways to enable the most successful elements of the programme to continue and be progressed further.  The main two development pathways are (a) Development of a Learning Portal and (b) Development of e-learning pathways.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the achievement of the SYeLP project overall, and Rotherham in particular, in exceeding the project targets be noted.

(2)         That the achievements of Rotherham’s learners and learning providers in gaining national and international recognition for their efforts be noted.

(3)         That the additional funding that has been allocated, owing to the success of the SYeLP programme be noted.

(4)  That a suitable press release be issued on the achievement of the SYeLP project in Rotherham.

- that the information be received and to note that the sustainable model being explored is through a partnership arrangement with a commercial Development Partner

Further to Minute No. 150 of this meeting, consideration was given to an update report of the Director of Service Resources & Access on the progress being made in respect of identifying a sustainable model through a proposed partnership and a proposal to appoint a Development Partner.

The Director and Commercial Manager of the SYeLP, employed by Sheffield City Council, acting on behalf of the four South Yorkshire local authorities has produced a business case to examine the possible courses of action for ensuring sustainability of the South Yorkshire e-Learning Programme (SYeLP) and vocational education programmes across the South Yorkshire sub-region.  The business case examines the strategic case for action in terms of national and regional strategies, market requirements and demand, and the economic case centred on suggested delivery options. 

The business case identifies that the preferred option to ensure sustainability is to create commercially viable SYeLP and vocational programmes and to deliver these to market through the engagement of a commercial Development Partner.  The method of selection and engagement with such a partner is identified as public procurement using the ‘competitive dialogue’ process which would present the best opportunity of finding the right kind of partner to meet the local authorities’ future aspirations.

The business case also identifies that the initial year of the agreement (from July 2007) with the Development Partner would be used to market test the commercial viability of the services that are on offer and that both partners (the four South Yorkshire local authorities and the Development Partner) will then evaluate whether the partnership should continue.

The ultimate formation of a partnership, be it through a SEEC or other type of partnership organisation, will rest on the evaluation at the end of the initial year in June 2008, subject to a suitable Development Partner being identified in the first instance.

The report set out a number of potential benefits of the approach, the feasibility of the approach and a proposed timetable for the appointment of a Development Partner.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the information be received and the sustainable model being explored through a partnership arrangement with a commercial Development Partner, be noted.

(2)         That the Cabinet Member give authority to the Director of Resources and Access to act on behalf of RMBC in the evaluation and potential appointment of a Development Partner through the competitive dialogue process, and in the approval of expenditure of an EU grant allocated for such purposes.

(3)  That subject to a Development Partner being appointed, an evaluation report be submitted to Members on the conclusion of Phase 1 in Spring 2008.  The evaluation report will determine the future viability of the proposed business model and seek further approval from Members to enter into a Phase 2 agreement.

- that the proposed term dates for 2008/09 be supported

A report was submitted which set out information on the outcome of discussions with the Teaching Unions in relation to the neighbouring South Yorkshire Authority’s proposed term dates and the Local Government Association’s recommendations for the school year 2008/09.

The Local Government Association (LGA) Standing Committee meets annually to agree recommended standard school year term dates.

The LGA have published guidance for 2008/09 and the principles behind their recommendations are:

·        A return date for the school year as near as possible to the 1st September 2008;

·        Equalised teaching and learning blocks;

·        Establish a two-week Spring Break in early April irrespective of incidence of the Easter Bank Holiday;

·        A summer holiday break of at least 6 weeks for those schools which want this length of break;

·        A calendar based on 190 pupil days for 2007/08 and allowing the five INSET/CPD days to be set by the Head Teacher.

To assist in the determination of term dates, as well as the above information from the LGA, officers from the Authority have met with the other Authorities in South Yorkshire and suggested co-ordinated dates have been drafted for South Yorkshire.

The LGA proposals and the South Yorkshire co-ordinated dates were considered by the Teacher Unions.  Both of the proposals were very similar and there was general support for the recommended dates (The South Yorkshire proposed dates being in-line with the LGA recommendations). The LGA return date on  September 1st and the dates of the half terms breaks are identical to the South Yorkshire proposed dates.

The recommendations made were:

·        to commence the 2008/09 School Year on the 1st  September 2008.

·        to take a week at October half term. (the LGA proposal gives local flexibility to allow this to be extended by two days which would create a split week).

·        the Easter holiday to fall at the start of the Holiday break, which gives a more even term structure with the Bank Holiday in the middle of the break (This is in line with the LGA recommended dates)

·        A 6 week summer break

The co-ordination of term dates as much as possible with neighbouring authorities and with the LGA is seen as a key issue and the suggested dates for Rotherham (and South Yorkshire) be adopted.

In Service training days

The school year for pupils is 190 days but teachers are required to make themselves available for 195 days, the five remaining days being used for in-service development and training. The five in-service dates have been incorporated into the proposed 195 days.  Schools may still be needed for election purposes, the inclusion of the in-service training days allows for flexibility.  In some schools the five teacher in-service days have traditionally been used as five full days of development for teachers but other schools have chosen a combination of full days and a dis-aggregation of the remaining in-service days into after school or “twilight” in-service sessions.  It is recommended that this flexible practice should be allowed to continue if it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 152.

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

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.

Pursuant to Minute No. 126 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure dated 20^th February, 2007, consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Development Services, containing details of the tender evaluation process and selection process for the design and build of a new Community Centre and Library at Wickersley.

This is a new facility which will be used and operated by RMBC Library and Information Service and Wickersley Parish Council.

Resolved:- (1)  That the tender submitted by Clark Construction Limited dated 15^th February, 2007 in the sum of £972,542 be accepted.

(2)         That the initial capital shortfall of £16,501.50 to finance the building is funded from the £831,000 in the capital programme for Rotherham’s community libraries approved by Cabinet on 11^th April, 2007 (Minute No. 248).

(3)  That the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure supports a bid to the capital programme for additional funding of around £100,000 to complete the project.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).