Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture held on 19^th July, 2011.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 19^th July, 2011 be signed as a true record.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Paul Carney, Co-ordinator of Governor Services, which aimed to provide an update on the potential implications of the current Education Bill on the appointment of Local Authority (LA) Governors and recommend a revised procedure for the appointment, re-appointment and removal of Local Authority Governors.

The revised procedures sought to maintain and improve the quality of Local Authority Governors in Rotherham schools and would ensure that persons with the required attributes, skills and experience were proposed to fill appropriate Governor vacancies.

Further information was provided on the Education Bill which proposed the adoption of a more flexible model of school governance by Governing Bodies.  The revised procedure, therefore, sought to maintain and improve the quality of Local Authority Governors and ensure that persons with the required attributes, skills and experience were proposed to fill vacancies.

Discussion ensued on the types of Governors and the appointment procedures, the minimum requirement for Local Authority maintained schools, marketing of Governor vacancies, the skills and experience being sought and the close working with the School Governors One Stop Shop.  It was suggested that awareness raising also take place with Parish Councils.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the revised procedure for the appointment, re-appointment and removal of Local Authority Governors be approved.

(2)  That the Co-ordinator of Governor Services ensures that all Governing Bodies are made aware of the revised procedures and that the marketing of Local Authority Governor vacancies continue.

David Hill, School Organisation Planning and Development.

Consideration was given to a report presented by David Hill, Manager, School Organisation Planning and Development, which set details of increasing pupil numbers in the Rotherham West area of the borough.

There rise in pupil numbers was increasing pressure on school places and it would appear necessary to increase the number of school places in the area. There was particular pressure on places at Thornhill Primary School and the number of pupils in the catchment area exceeded the places available in the school. This report, therefore, sought permission to enter a pre-statutory consultation phase for the expansion of Thornhill Primary School.

It was proposed that consultation take place on the expansion of numbers on roll at Thornhill Primary School from September, 2012.  The school would be expanded in order to accommodate 45 children per year group (45 x 7 = 315 places) rather than its current capacity of 30 x 7 = 210 places. The school would have a published admission number (PAN) of 45.

Discussion ensued on the pressure to accommodate pupils, particularly those born in the catchment area and pupils who had successfully gained places on appeal and the need to expand the school from September, 2012 in every year group.

It was proposed that as part of the consultation process further reports be submitted to the Cabinet Member in November, 2011 and January, 2012 ready for implementation in September, 2012.

Resolved:-  That pre-statutory consultation be approved on the proposal to expand Thornhill Primary School and that a further report be submitted to the Cabinet Member with details of the outcome of that consultation.

(2)  That the Cabinet Member on behalf of herself and her Advisers thanked David Hill for all his support and hard work and wished him well in his retirement.

Chrissy Wright, Strategic Commissioning Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Chrissy Wright, Strategic Commissioning Manager, which set out the strategic commissioning priorities and work programme for Children and Young People’s Services. The priorities have been developed in consultation with the Senior Management of Children and Young People’s Services and were focused on improving quality services, providing Value for Money and achieving efficiencies.

There had been substantial progress on the commissioning priorities particularly in relation to the external placements programme. The capacity to achieve the priorities was challenged by the imminent commissioning activities required for the Budget Matrix.

The work programme developed from the priorities included key areas of commissioning activity through Connexions, contact support, Children’s Centres, External Placements and achievement of efficiencies through decommissioning or re-commissioning.

Further information was provided on each element of the action plan and clarification sought on various issues.  An overview on the elements relative to Lifelong Learning would be provided in due course.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress made in strategic commissioning for Children and Young People’s Services be noted.

(2)  That further progress reports incorporating a brief overview of the relative elements be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture in due course.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended (information relating to consultations about labour relations matters).

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 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act (as amended March, 2006 – information relating to consultations about labour relations matters).

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Education Consultative Committee held on 16^th June, 2011.

Resolved:- That the contents of the minutes of the meeting of the Education Consultative Committee, held on 16^th June, 2011, be noted.