NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL
EDUCATION AND LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE
14 June 2000
PRESENT: Councillor Barkley in the chair.
Councillors Smith (vice-chair), Billam, Briggs, Chapman, Deas, Mrs Delaney, Ellis, Fordham, Gosling, Holgate, P Kirk, Mrs Martin, Mrs Metcalfe, Mrs Redfern, Sherwood, Mrs Sidell, Stewart, Waldron and Whiteley.
Mrs A Dunkerley, Mr P Fish, Mr E Gibbs, Mr L Kidney, Rev G Plumb, Rev H Tompkinson and Mr M White.
The committee met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.
1 CHAIRS REMARKS - The chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Education and Leisure Services Committee and introductions were made.
He also referred to the success of Mrs Sarah Groves-Allen, a teacher at Belton C E Primary School on achieving primary teacher of the year for the north region as part of the National Teaching Awards.
The chair also reported that the next meeting of the Working Group on Surplus Places on 20 July, 2000 had been postponed.
Resolved - (a) That the chair's remarks be noted, and (b) that Mrs Grove-Allen be congratulated on her award.
2 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY AND NON-PECUNIARY INTEREST - Declarations of non-pecuniary interest were made as follows -
| Member |
Minute No. |
Subject |
| Councillor Barkley |
8 |
Admission Arrangements to Schools. |
| |
14 |
School Capital & Development Bids. |
| |
19 |
Arts Development Project Funding. |
| |
28 |
Swimming Fees and Charges. |
| Councillor Billam |
22 |
Community Centres Grant Aid. |
| |
25 |
Millennium Awards Applications. |
| Councillor Briggs |
25 |
Millennium Awards Applications. |
| Councillor Deas |
8 |
Admission Arrangements to Schools. |
| |
14 |
School Capital and Development Bids. |
| |
22 |
Community Centres Grant Aid. |
| Councillor Gosling |
22 |
Community Centres Grant Aid. |
| |
25 |
Millennium Awards Applications. |
| Councillor Holgate |
14 |
School Capital and Development Bids. |
| Councillor P Kirk |
21 |
Community Aid Scheme. |
| |
22 |
Community Centres Grant Aid. |
| Councillor Mrs Metcalfe |
14 |
School Capital and Development Bids. |
| |
25 |
Millennium Awards Applications. |
| Councillor Smith |
8 |
Admission Arrangements to Schools. |
| Councillor Whiteley |
8 |
Admission Arrangements to Schools. |
| |
22 |
Community Centres Grant Aid. |
3. MINUTES - Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings of the former Education and Leisure Services Committees of 30 and 16 March, 2000 respectively and the former Schools and Special Needs and Youth, Adult and Student Awards Sub-Committees of 8 and 20 March, 2000 respectively, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.
4 (1) OUTSTANDING ACTION FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF THE FORMER EDUCATION AND LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEES - The Director of Corporate Affairs and the Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a joint report which contained a schedule of outstanding issues upon which further reports had been requested to future meetings.
Resolved - That the report be noted.
5 (2) SRB6 - UPDATE - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report informing members of the potential education/leisure input to the sixth round of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB).
The key themes of this year’s SRB were enterprise, learning and community and the North Lincolnshire bid comprised a total of 24 projects. The outcome of the bidding process was expected by the end of July, 2000.
Resolved - That the education/leisure projects included in the bid be supported.
6 (3) REVENUE AND CAPITAL OUTTURN 1999-2000 - The Director of Education and Personal Development and the Director of Corporate Affairs submitted a joint report informing members of the revenue and capital outturn position for this service committee for 1999-2000. The report compared the outturn position for the year including major variances and establishing reasons for those variances.
Resolved - That the report be noted.
7 (4) ANNUAL CONFERENCES - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report inviting members to consider attendance and representation at annual conferences relevant to the service responsibilities of this committee.
Resolved - That attendance at the annual conferences set out in the report be approved, and member attendance be determined at the appropriate time.
8 (5) ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS TO SCHOOLS 2001/2002 - The Director of Education and Personal development submitted a report which reviewed current admission arrangements to schools, considered responses to the annual consultation with governing bodies and diocesan bodies on admission arrangements and admission limits, discussed proposed legislation, and asked members to agree admission arrangements for 2001/2002 for publication to parents.
Responses to the annual consultation with governors and diocesan bodies to arrangements and limits were summarised in Annex A and a draft information for parents booklet incorporating the Code of Practice on Admissions recommendations was appended to the report at Annex B.
Resolved - (a) That the report be noted; (b) that the local review panels consisting of members of the committee continue to determine allocation of pupils up to admission limits for Community and Controlled Schools; (c) that the Code of Practice on Admissions be noted and incorporated into LEA admissions policies and arrangements; (d) that the comments of the Local Admissions Forum be received and noted; (e) that the request of the Governing Body of Broughton Infants School to increase the admission limit from 62 to 64 be approved and incorporated into the information for parents booklet 2001/2002; (f) that the admission limits at Parkwood and Riddings Infant Schools remain as at present; (g) that the concerns expressed by the Governing Body of Kirton Lindsey Primary School be noted; (h) that the requests of the Governing Bodies of Frederick Gough, Thomas Sumpter and Winterton Secondary Schools be referred to the School Organisation Committee, and (i) that the proposed amendments to the information booklet for parents 2001/2002 be agreed and the booklet be published.
9 (6) ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2000-2001 - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report which presented the 2000-2001 annual financial statement for spending on education and considered the implications for future levels of delegation to schools.
This was the second year of the new format for annual financial statements which was introduced as a result of Fair Funding. The statements now covered all expenditure on education whereas the previous version covered only expenditure on schools.
Details of the targets for 2000-2001 and the performance of the council against these were set out in the report.
The level of delegation represented a significant improvement from 1999-2000 (when it was 79.3%) and this was due to delegating "white collar" services, secondary school meals, special educational needs stage 3 support and behaviour support from April 2000. However the level achieved was still expected to be less than the average for English LEAs, partly due to many of these LEAs having a legacy of higher delegation under grant maintained arrangements. As the target for delegations was expected to increase in future years, it would be necessary to consider other budgets to delegate in future years.
The Fair Funding Consultative Group, which included 8 headteachers and a head of service, would continue with its meetings to consider delegation and other school funding issues.
Resolved - (a) That the annual financial statement for 2000-2001 be noted, and (b) that the committee receives a further report to consider any recommendations for future delegations from the Fair Funding Consultative Group.
10 (7) BEACON COUNCIL (EDUCATION) STATUS - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report seeking approval for the submission of a bid for Beacon Council status based on education provision of the council.
The Beacon Council scheme began last year and identified councils that had areas of outstanding practice which they would disseminate.
Details of the bid criteria were set out in the report.
Recommendation to Council - That education be made an element of any bid submitted to the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions for Beacon Council Status.
11 (8) KEY STAGE 3 PILOT - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report informing members about the Key Stage 3 Pilot in which the council had been invited to take part by the DfEE.
At the beginning of the year, the DfEE organised a pilot project to raise achievement in Key Stage 3 and invited 13 local education authorities (LEAs) to take part. Subsequently the pilot was extended to four other LEAs, one of which was North Lincolnshire. The project, details of which were described in the report, was launched in North Lincolnshire on 12 May, 2000.
Resolved - That the committee supports the raising of standards in literacy, numeracy, science and thinking skills through the Key Stage 3 pilot.
12 (9) OFSTED INSPECTIONS - BOTTESFORD JUNIOR, CROSBY PRIMARY, ENDERBY ROAD INFANT, HAXEY C OF E PRIMARY AND HIBALDSTOW PRIMARY SCHOOLS - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report informing members of the outcomes of OFSTED Inspections at the above schools.
Inspection findings in respect of each of the schools were set out in the report. Full copies of the summaries and the complete reports had been placed in the political group offices.
Resolved - That the committee continues to support school improvements at Bottesford Junior, Crosby Primary, Enderby Road Infant, Haxey C E Primary and Hibaldstow Primary Schools.
13 (10) PORTAGE SERVICE - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report inviting members to consider a proposal to increase the established hours of Portage Worker and the post of Clerk/Word Processor Operator employed within the Portage Service, to bring them into line with total hours worked in recent years.
Resolved - That the proposals outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the report be supported and referred to the Community, Commercial and Corporate Affairs Committee for approval
14 (11) SCHOOL CAPITAL AND DEVELOPMENT BIDS - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report informing members of the outcome of the New Deal for Schools 4 (NDS4) and seeking approval for the next stages of school reorganisations arising from capital bids.
The council successfully obtained £2.13m from NDS for improving the condition and suitability of school buildings, details of which were set out in the report. In addition the council had obtained £6.3m towards the reorganisation of special schools, subject to planning permissions. The DfEE also had a £3.1m bid to create Lincoln Gardens Primary School in reserve, the details of which were currently being analysed.
Arrangements of government had to be created to establish temporary governing bodies for the new special schools and Lincoln Gardens and details were set out in the report.
Resolved - (a) That the successful NDS4 bid be welcomed as a continuing indication of the council and DfEE intention to improve the condition of schools in North Lincolnshire; (b) that arrangements of government be created to establish temporary governing bodies as indicated in the report and arrangements be made to appoint, elect or co-opt governors; (c) that further consideration be given by the council to the procurement and financing arrangements of the proposals, and (d) that the DfEE be urged to approve the Lincoln Gardens capital bid.
15 (12) SCHOOL ATTENDANCE STATISTICS - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report giving details of attendance statistics, attached at Appendices A and B, supplied by schools in North Lincolnshire to the Education Welfare Service.
The committee was informed that OFSTED worked to a minimum attendance of 90% and in each of the school headings in Appendix A that level had been exceeded.
Resolved - That the attendance statistics appended to the report be noted.
16 (13) SOLUTION-FOCUSSED BEHAVIOUR POLICY - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report seeking approval of a policy development which was in accord with the council's Behaviour Support Plan.
Relevant guidance for schools was attached at Appendix A for teachers' consideration.
The solution-focussed approach incorporated two special targets -
- it actively sought for exceptions to problems, and
- it built the reasons for any exception into a new solution.
Resolved - That the policy statement and attached guidance for schools
be approved.
17 (14) THE NATIONAL LITERACY AND NUMERACY STRATEGIES : UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report which informed members of (i) progress in achieving literacy and numeracy targets in North Lincolnshire primary schools, (ii) training and development programmes for literacy and numeracy, and (iii) forthcoming initiatives.
North Lincolnshire LEA had set targets for year on year improvements in Key Stage 2 pupils' attainment in literacy, predicting improvements from 62% in 1997 to 82% in 2002. For numeracy, predicted improvements were from 63% in 1997 to 78% in 2002.
Progress towards these targets, training and development programmes and forthcoming initiatives were summarised in the report.
Resolved - That the committee continues to support the raising of standards in literacy and numeracy through the strategies identified in the Education Development Plan.
18 (15) 8-4-2 CLUB - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report reminding members of a project being developed in partnership with the 8-4-2 Club to secure and engage in wheeled activity (8-roller blades, 4-skateboards, 2-BMX) and inviting the committee to determine a grant to the Club.
Details of discussions taking place with representatives of the Club were set out in the report.
Resolved - That a grant of £10,000 be made to the 8-4-2 Club to enable the development of a skateboard facility in Scunthorpe town centre.
19 (16) ARTS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FUNDING - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report seeking approval for the proposed Arts Development Project funding.
The Arts Development team in the Cultural Services section of the directorate had a project budget with which to support voluntary and other arts activities across North Lincolnshire.
The report gave details of projects which had received funding in the past and the evaluation and award process. Requests for funding this year exceeded the budget allocation of £34,490 by over £5,000.
Details of projects to be funded, together with requested and proposed funding levels were set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report.
Resolved - That the proposed levels of funding as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report be approved.
20 (17) RELOCATION OF SCHOOLS LIBRARY SERVICE - Members considered a report of the Director of Education and Personal Development seeking approval to the inclusion of a scheme in the capital programme 2000/2001 for the relocation of the Schools Library Service from its current base at Frodingham Library in Scunthorpe to the Education Development Centre.
The current location within the Frodingham Library was not suitable for the service's needs and the situation was exacerbated by vandalism and break-ins to the property. The move to the Education Development Centre would make the service more available to its customers.
Resolved - (a) That approval be given to the inclusion of the scheme to relocate the Schools Library Service in the capital programme 2000/2001, and (b) that the funding for the scheme be found from the committee's carry forward as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report.
21 (18) COMMUNITY AID SCHEME - Further to minute 748 of the former Leisure Services Committee members considered a report of the Director of Education and Personal Development inviting them to determine grant aid criteria for the new Community Aid Scheme.
Draft criteria for the scheme was appended to the report. The criteria suggested that the scheme was intended to support new programme developments and initiatives which enhanced the quality of services provided. As was the case with the former Aid to Parishes Scheme, it was proposed that the Community Aid scheme operate on a partnership basis with local communities demonstrating their commitment to developments by providing matched funding.
Resolved - That the criteria for the Aid to Communities scheme, as appended to the report, be approved.
22 (19) COMMUNITY CENTRES GRANT AID SCHEME The Director of Education and Personal Development referred to minute 433 of the council and submitted a report inviting the committee to determine criteria for the new Community Centres Grant Aid scheme.
Draft criteria for the scheme were appended to the report. The criteria suggested that the scheme was intended to support new programme developments and initiatives which enhanced the quality of services provided. As was the case with many other grant funding programmes, it was proposed that the Community Centre Grant Aid scheme operate on a partnership basis with community associations demonstrating their commitment to developments by providing matched funding.
Resolved - (a) That the criteria for the Community Centres Grant Aid scheme, as appended to the report, be approved, and (b) that a budget of £20,000 be allocated to the scheme as part of approved estimates for community centres.
23 (20) NON-RETURN OF LIBRARY MATERIALS - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report seeking the committee's approval to prosecute those members of the library service who failed to respond to reminders for overdue books and continued to retain items which they had borrowed.
The problem of the non-return of library materials was being experienced by libraries nation-wide. A number of fines amnesties had been held in the past and had proved unsuccessful, in spite of widespread publicity and direct correspondence with readers who had overdue books. Previous experience had shown that virtually no reusable stock was returned to libraries during such amnesties.
The council's policy with regard to outstanding borrowed materials has been quoted by both the internal auditors and by the Best Value Inspection process. Nationally a number of library authorities had implemented a system of prosecuting readers.
A possible procedure for prosecuting readers had been drawn up following consultation with the Director of Corporate Affairs which met the needs of both the library service and the wider council.
Resolved - That approval be given for the library service to proceed with legal action in order to recover overdue library stock.
24 (21) NORMANBY HALL COUNTRY PARK - INCOME GENERATION WORKING GROUP - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report informing members of the work of the Normanby Hall Country Park Income Generation Working Group which had been established to investigate ways of increasing income generation for the Park and so reducing the subsidy from the council's own budget.
The Working Group had met on two occasions to consider a number of short term and longer term proposals for improving the facilities at Normanby and attracting additional visitors from improved marketing and promotional techniques, details of which were summarised in the report.
Moved by Councillor P Kirk and seconded by the vice-chair -
(a) That the
report be noted; (b) that the access arrangements for the Park remain as
they are at present; (c) that the Working Group be renamed the Normanby Hall
Country
Park Development and Income Generation Working Group in order to reflect
its wider remit, and (d) that a further report be submitted to this committee
when
appropriate.
Moved by Councillor Holgate and seconded by Councillor Stewart as an amendment - (a)
That the report be noted, (b) that the Working Group be renamed the Normanby
Hall Country Park Management Group, and (c) that a further report be submitted
to this committee when appropriate.
Amendment Lost
Motion Carried
25 (22) NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL MILLENNIUM AWARDS APPLICATIONS - The Director of Education and Personal Development referred to minute 696 of the former Leisure Services Committee and submitted a report inviting the committee to determine applications for financial assistance from the council's Millennium Awards Scheme, details of which were set out in the report.
Details of the applications had been placed in the political group offices.
Resolved - (a) that the applications received be dealt with as follows -
| |
|
£ |
| Althorpe and Keadby History Group |
Environmental Improvement Scheme |
500 |
| Gunness Parish Council |
Gunness Festival of Music and Fun |
500 |
| Worlaby Recreation Committee |
Village Celebratory Event |
397 |
| Crowle and Ealand Regeneration Project |
Crowle Millennium Carnival |
500 |
| Sir John Nelthorpe School Music Department |
Music from the Shows Production |
NIL |
| South Ferriby Millennium Committee |
Village Millennium Celebration |
145 |
| Burton Upon Stather Millennium Committee |
Exhibition/Display Boards |
330 |
| East Halton Millennium Green Trust |
'Music on the Green' Day |
500 |
| Messingham Junior Football Club |
Millennium Football Tournament |
352 |
, and (b) that no further applications be accepted for consideration after 30 June, 2000 - celebratory events and activities will either already have taken place or be at the final planning stages and as such funding requirements should have already been identified and resolved.
26 (23) PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL INFORMATION AND SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT - The Director of Education and Personal Development referred to minute 711 of the former Leisure Services Committee and submitted a report updating members on the progress of negotiations to dissolve the constitution and legal agreement of the Partnership for Regional Information and Systems Management (PRISM) and on discussions to seek an alternative option for future management.
Details of the joint arrangement which had been in place since 1996 and factors which affected the continued viability of PRISM were set out in the report.
The constitution and legal agreement underpinning PRISM were constraining the council's ability to respond to changing circumstances.
A number of ways in which PRISM could legally continue to provide and expand its existing services had been explored by officers and members with advice from the legal departments of each unitary authority, with the most viable yet flexible option being discussed in the report.
Resolved - (a) That the council continue to work with partner authorities to complete the remaining negotiations in order to dissolve the PRISM constitution and legal agreement; (b) that the council gives notice to withdraw from the joint arrangement during September 2000 in order to cease membership of the partnership by 31 March
2001, and (c) that the Director of Education and Personal Development continue to devise a specification for future trading with the new PRISM business unit.
27 (24) SPORTS GRANT AID - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report which considered applications for sports grant aid/or sponsorship.
Resolved - That the applications be dealt with as follows -
| |
|
£ |
| James Bird |
Towards cost of attending the 2000 Global Inline Hockey Festival at Toronto, Canada from 13-25 July 2000 |
500 |
| Daniel Toothill |
Towards cost of attending the 2000 Global Inline Hockey Festival at Toronto, Canada from 13-25 July 2000 |
445 |
| Brigg Town Football Club |
Assistance towards cost of installing a new gas fired heating and hot water system. |
800 |
28 (25) SWIMMING FEES AND CHARGES - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report seeking approval to establish a fair and equitable system for the hire of swimming pools by water based clubs.
The rise in fees and charges for sport and leisure facilities had resulted in a request from the Scunthorpe Amateur Swimming Association for the council to establish a clear position on the hire of swimming pools by water based clubs. Further particulars were set out in the report.
Consultations with the Association had also focussed on the discount it received for frequent use of the Riddings Pool, a situation inherited from the former Scunthorpe Borough Council. It was proposed that notice be given to the Association to remove the discount from 1 September 2000.
Resolved - (a) That, in order to assist water based clubs to plan and
manage their finances, the cost of hiring swimming pools without council controlled
lifeguard cover be set at 80% of the normal hourly rate, and (b) that approval
be given to withdraw the current discount available to the Scunthorpe Amateur
Swimming Association from 1 September, 2000.
This schedule does not form part
of the Minutes
FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION - SCHEDULE OF DECISIONS MADE SINCE THE LAST
MEETING BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE/DIRECTORS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CHAIR
OR VICE-CHAIR, IN MATTERS OF URGENCY AND UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
Decision Record Reference - Subject and Decision
Education Committee
ED/26/99 Approval to accept the lowest tender for the Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg – Science Laboratory Refurbishment Contract – Project No 11421.
ED/27/99 Approval to accept the lowest tender for the supply of Video Editing Equipment, Multi Media/Adult Education Centre -Project No 11414
ED/28/99 Approval to accept the lowest tender for the Epworth Primary School – Additional Class Room – 11025.
Youth, Adult & Student Awards Sub-Committee
ED/SA/01/99 Approval of mandatory award assistance to student (JB).
ED/SA/02/99 Approval to grant a three year Lease of a room at the Brigg Youth Centre to Brigg Town Council.
ED/SA/03/99 Approval of mandatory award assistance to student (FB).
Schools & Special Needs Sub-Committee
ED/SSN/03/99 Approval to remove LEA governor of St Barnabas Church of England Primary School.
Leisure Services Committee
LS/11/99 Approval of grant aid from the Millennium Awards Scheme to Belton Church of England Primary School; Friends of North Lincolnshire Museum and Barton Arts.
LS/12/99 Approval of grant aid to "International Stars in their Eyes Group" to stage an event as part of the Festival of Nations Event on 28 May 2000.
Education & Leisure Services Committee
ELS/01/00 Approval to accept the lowest tender for the Haxey Primary School – Additional Classroom Contract – Project No 11415.
ELS/02/00 Approval of an Arts Development Grant towards the Brigg Fiddle Feast.
ELS/03/00 Approval of grant aid from the Millennium Awards Scheme to Riddings Community Action Group and St. Augustine Webster Primary School.