Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings held on 20^th January, 2010 and on 2^nd February, 2010 be approved as correct records.

Ron Parry and Catherine Blakemore, report authors

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Principal Catering Officer concerning the research, undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University, into the factors influencing the take up of school meals in Rotherham schools.  The report outlined the research methodology, highlighted key issues found, the conclusions reached and proposed action that partners from Education Catering Services, Healthy Schools and the NHS Rotherham Public Health Obesity Team intend to implement to address these issues.

Members noted that Communities for Health funding was secured for this research, the basis of which included two specific questions:-

i)  What factors influence school meals take up in Rotherham?

ii) What are the solutions that can be implemented to increase the take up?

The research had been undertaken by the Centre for Education Inclusion Research at Sheffield Hallam University between September and December 2009.

The research used a combination of pupil surveys, focus groups (pupil and staff) and interviews with parents, teachers and staff. A total of 15 schools (11 primary and 4 secondary) were involved, with a total of 979 pupils surveyed.

Attached to the submitted report was a draft action plan to address the recommendations of the research. The action plan was prepared jointly by NHS Rotherham Public Health Obesity Team, Healthy Schools and Education Catering Services.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That there be acknowledgement of the wider implications of the report to existing Local Area Agreement targets and priorities such as National Indicators numbers 52, 56, 57 and PSA 12.

(3) That the action plan, as now submitted, be implemented.

Joanne Robertson, report author

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Finance Manager  providing details of expenditure, income and the net budget position for the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate compared to the profiled budgets for the period ending 31st December, 2009 and the projected year end outturn position for the 2009/2010 financial year. Currently the Directorate is forecasting an overspend of £4.008m.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the current forecast outturn position for the Directorate based on actual costs and income to 31st December 2009 and forecast costs and income to 31st March 2010 be noted.

(3) That the work continuing to be undertaken within the Children and Young People's Services’ Directorate, to mitigate the budget pressures upon the services, be acknowledged.

David Light, report author

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of School Effectiveness stating that on 1st September, 2009, Ofsted had introduced a new Inspection Framework containing fundamental differences from the previous Framework. Several of these changes present increased challenges to schools particularly in relation to safeguarding and pupil attainment. The new Framework has received a controversial reception from schools, the professional associations and local authorities because of the perception that it is being applied unevenly across the school system to the particular disadvantage of schools serving underprivileged communities. Anecdotal evidence suggests an increase in the number of schools regionally and nationally receiving an Inadequate judgement in Autumn, 2009.

Resolved:- (1)That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the implications for schools of the new Framework and its potential impact on the performance profile of the Local Authority be noted.

(3) That the impact of the revised Framework and its effect on Rotherham schools and on the Authority’s support services continue to be assessed, with reports submitted to future meetings of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People's Services.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended (information relating to financial and business affairs)

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 as amended (information relating to financial and business affairs).

Gary Gaunt and Robert Holsey, report authors

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Project Manager, Asset Management, describing the contract for the construction of a new stand-alone sports hall within the grounds of Saint Bernard’s Catholic High School, the provision of four badminton courts, and the construction of changing facilities for users of the sports hall itself and users of the adjacent playing fields.

The report referred to the awarding of the contract to Henry Boot Construction (UK) Ltd, as part of the Rotherham Construction Partnership, to be managed under the NEC, Option A contract. Henry Boot Ltd. will contract direct with the School Governing Body, with the Borough Council acting as the Project Manager.

Resolved:- That the report be received and its contents noted.

(Councillor Havenhand declared a personal interest in the above item as the parent of a pupil at this School)