NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL
EDUCATION AND LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE
9 January 2001
PRESENT:- Councillor Smith (vice-chair) in the chair.
Councillors Barkworth, Briggs, Deas, Mrs Delaney, England, Gosling,
Holgate, Mrs Martin, Mrs Metcalfe, T Muir, Phillips, Mrs Redfern, Mrs Sidell, Mrs
Simpson, Stewart, Swift, Waldron, Whiteley and Wood.
Mr E Gibbs, Mr L Kidney, Rev G Plumb, Mr A Scargall and Mr M White.
The committee met at the Foxhills School Technology College,
Scunthorpe.
77 CHAIR'S REMARKS - The chair welcomed Councillor Muir to
her first meeting of the Education and Leisure Services Committee.
He referred, with regret, to the recent death of Glyn Roberts,
former Director of Leisure Services at Humberside County Council.
The chair congratulated Councillor Gosling on the birth of his son
Keir.
The chair also informed members that Carl Markham of the Scunthorpe
Evening Telegraph was leaving to take up a job in Leeds.
Resolved - That the chair's remarks be noted.
78 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY AND NON-PECUNIARY INTEREST - Declarations
of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interest were made as follows -
| Non-Pecuniary Interest - |
|
|
| Member |
Minute No. |
Subject |
| Councillor Deas |
83 |
Capital Projects 2001-2002 |
| Councillor Gosling |
83 |
Capital Projects 2001-2002 |
| Councillor Gosling |
99 |
Lodge Moors Community Centre |
| Councillor Holgate |
83 |
Capital Projects 2001-2002 |
| Councillor Phillips |
83 |
Capital Projects 2001-2002 |
| Councillor Mrs Simpson |
83 |
Capital Projects 2001-2002 |
| Councillor Swift |
83 |
Capital Projects 2001-2002 |
| Pecuniary Interest - |
|
|
| Councillor Gosling |
96 |
Scunthorpe United Football Club - Potential Sponsorship |
79 (66) PETITION - PERIMETER FENCING AROUND SHEFFIELD PARK,
SCUNTHORPE - In accordance with Standing Order 38(a) it was reported that a petition
had been received from residents of the Sheffield Park, Scunthorpe regarding
the proposed perimeter fencing around the Park. Representatives of
the petitioners attended the meeting and one addressed the committee on the subject matter
of, and background to, the petition.
The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a
report giving details of the residents' petition and responding to issues raised therein.
It had been intended to replace the existing fence with a new one on the line of the
existing fence, ie facing directly on to Sheffield Park, but, in view of the petition, a
compromise solution was proposed, details of which were set out in the report and shown on
the accompanying plan.
Resolved - (a) That the petition and the concerns of
residents of Sheffield Park Avenue be noted, and (b) that the new fence at Sheffield Park
follow the line set out on the plan appended to the report.
80 MINUTES - Resolved - That the minutes of the proceedings
of this committee of 19 October, 2000 having been printed and circulated amongst the
members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.
81 (67) MINUTES OF MEETING OF SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE
APPOINTMENT OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (LEARNING
SERVICES) - Resolved - (a) That the minutes of the meeting of the above Special
Sub-Committee held on 15 December 2000 be received and (b) that Mr Lea be congratulated on
his appointment.
82 (68) OUTSTANDING ITEMS - 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 the committee had requested reports
to future meetings.
Resolved - That the report be noted.
83 (69) CAPITAL PROJECTS 2001-2002 - The Director of
Corporate Affairs and the Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a joint
report inviting the committee to prioritise proposals for capital schemes commencing in
2001/2002, in line with the council's prioritisation scheme, detailed option appraisals of
which were appended to the report.
The report gave details of capital allocations made available for
education totalling £2.64m for 2001-2002 and included schemes that the DfEE had not yet
funded or which should be met from the capital allocations for 2001-2002.
The report also referred to a new DfEE initiative entitled 'Targeted
Capital Fund' for the more pressing needs and gave details of bids to the fund.
Paragraph 3.2 of the report listed a number of schemes proposed to
meet service needs of the Education and Leisure Services directorate.
Resolved - That the schemes set out in the report be approved
for consideration for inclusion in the 2001-2002 capital programme in the following
priority order -
(i) A schools minor works programme - funded from DfEE capital
funding arrangements (£250,000).
(ii) New Henderson Avenue Nursery (£220,000).
(iii) Creation of an Autistic Unit in mainstream school (£95,000).
(iv) Development of Football Facilities at Foxhills Sports Ground
(£400,000) but with possibility of 90% grant from Lincolnshire Football Association.
(v) Replacement of the existing Lodge Moors Community Centre,
currently housed in a temporary building, with purpose built accommodation (£300,000 but
possibility of 90% Lottery Grant).
(vi) Extension of the Automated Library System (ALS) to all branches
and upgrading of existing installations (£120,000).
(vii) A scheme to provide a lift for disabled access at Providence
House Adult Education Centre in Barton (£60,000).
(viii) A scheme to extend Ancholme Leisure Centre in Brigg, to
create a fitness suite that will generate additional income for the service (£160,000,
but possibility of 50% external grant).
(ix) Creation of a touring caravan site at Normanby Hall Country
Park, to attract more visitors to the area and generate additional income for the Park
(£250,000 for Phase 1).
84 (70) MEETING SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS: A PROGRAMME OF ACTION
- FINAL REPORT - The Director of Education and Personal Development referred to minute
1393 of the former Education Schools and Special Needs Sub-Committee and submitted a
report informing members of progress made in implementing 'Meeting Special Educational
Needs : A Programme of Action'.
The report indicated that the Programme of Action had been
implemented effectively in North Lincolnshire to provide improved services, facilities and
opportunities for pupils with special educational needs (SEN). Initiatives to help pupils
with SEN would continue to be developed.
Information in the report was described in accordance with the
following six areas of development identified in the SEN Programme of Action:
- high expectations reflected in schools policies
- effective support for parents
- promoting inclusion wherever possible
- shifting focus from procedures to practical support
- boosting opportunities for staff development
- promoting partnership in SEN
Resolved - That the considerable developments that have taken
place in implementing the SEN Programme of Action in North Lincolnshire be noted and the
continuing development of these themes, following the conclusion of the Plan of Action, be
supported.
85 (71) QUALITY MARK AWARD FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS - The Director
of Education and Personal Development submitted a report informing members of the current
partnership between the local education authority and the Basic Skills Agency (BSA) in
promoting the Quality Mark Award for Primary Schools.
Details of the elements of the award upon which schools were
assessed were set out in the report together with evidence schools had to supply to
achieve the award.
Twenty one headteachers had expressed an interest in applying for
the Quality Mark for their schools during the academic year 2000-2001.
The Council promoted the Quality Mark Award as part of its strategy
to ensure quality provision and improve standards.
Henderson Avenue Primary School and Bushfield Road Infant School had
been awarded the Quality Mark this term. Nineteen other schools were working towards the
achievement of the Award during the academic year 2000-2001.
To celebrate the achievement of North Lincolnshire schools awarded
the Quality Mark, presentation ceremonies would be arranged in collaboration with the
Basic Skills Agency Development Officers and the Director of the Agency, Alan Wells OBE.
Resolved - (a) That the promotion and development of the
Quality Mark Award for Primary Schools be supported, (b) that staff at Henderson Avenue
Primary School and Bushfield Road Infant School be congratulated on the award of the
Quality Mark this term, (c) that the other 19 schools seeking the award be supported, and
(d) that the four members of staff in the Primary Advisory Team be congratulated on
completing the BSA training and induction period and officially being accredited as
Quality Mark Assessors.
86 (72) OFSTED INSPECTIONS - ALKBOROUGH PRIMARY AND KILLINGHOLME
PRIMARY, BROUGHTON JUNIOR AND RIDDINGS INFANT 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 the schools were set out in the
report. Full copies of the reports had been placed in political group offices.
Resolved - (a) That the committee continues to support school
improvements at Alkborough Primary, Killingholme Primary, Broughton Junior and Riddings
Infants Schools and be kept appraised of the implementation of the action plans, and (b)
that a letter be sent, on behalf of the committee, congratulating the schools on the
outcome of the inspections.
87 (73) SCHOOL EXAMINATION RESULTS 2000 - The Director of
Education and Personal Development submitted a report and accompanying charts on the
performance of primary and secondary schools in North Lincolnshire national curriculum
tests, GCSE and GCE A level examinations.
Results in Key Stage 1, 2 and 3, GCSE and GCE A level results
continued to improve year on year and demonstrated the council's commitment to raising
education standards for all pupils in North Lincolnshire. In most cases a higher success
rate had been achieved than both the national average and that for similar authorities.
Resolved - (a) That the improvements made by North
Lincolnshire schools be noted, and that progress continue to be monitored, and (b) that
the continued support for improvement strategies be endorsed.
88 (74) THE PSYCHOLOGY SERVICE : NATIONAL AND LOCAL
CONSIDERATIONS - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report
providing information on the status of the Psychology Service within a changing national
context.
The conclusions of a DfEE working group had recently been published
under the title 'Educational Psychology Services in England; Current Role, Good Practice,
and Future Directions'. The report set out national benchmarks that were expected to form
a yard-stick now applicable during LEA inspections.
Although the DfEE report promoted the view that psychology services
should remain centrally funded, while changes in other aspects of government thinking
suggested that the issue of delegated budgets should be devolved, these views could both
be accommodated within the mixed economy model that the council was trying to develop.
Meeting national standards presented a substantial challenge to the
council's existing establishment and structure. Whilst the work of the service was valued
locally, current service resources were insufficient to meet the increasing range of
demands being made, details of which were expanded upon in the report.
Resolved - (a) That the changing pattern of demands and the
fluid context in which the service operates be noted; (b) that this report be adopted and
appended to the LEA's SEN Policy documents; (c) that a further programme of consultation
with head
teachers be initiated to explore future modes of service delivery,
and (d) that a phased process of development of the Psychology Service structure be
initiated to meet new national quality standards.
89 (75) POST OF PERIPATETIC SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGER - The
Director of Education and Personal Development and the Director of Corporate Affairs
submitted a joint report inviting the committee to support the creation of a post of
Peripatetic School Business Manager (PSBM) following a request by a group of schools for
the creation of the post. The postholder would operate on exactly the same basis as the
existing two Peripatetic Bursars employed by the council whereby schools bought in the
services of the postholder but did not directly employ them.
The difference in the proposed arrangement was that the PSBM would
be expected to operate at a higher level of responsibility than a Peripatetic Bursar,
cover a wider range of duties, and spend more time at each school.
Details of schools wishing to establish the post, effective from 1
April 2001, were set out in the report together with the financial implications.
Resolved - That the establishment of a post of Peripatetic
School Business Manager be supported and referred to the Community, Commercial and
Corporate Affairs Committee for approval.
90 (76) SCHOOL ATTENDANCE STATISTICS - The Director of
Education and Personal Development submitted a report on attendance statistics supplied by
all schools in the North Lincolnshire area to the Education Welfare Service.
All schools were required to submit data on attendance to the DfEE.
Schools in this council's area produced information on attendance at the end of each term
which was then put into tabulated format by staff in the Education Welfare Service on a
termly basis.
Tables appended to the report showed attendance statistics which had
been submitted for the Summer Term 2000, and for the corresponding term, Summer 1999.
Further information from the National Pupil Absence Tables 2000 indicated North
Lincolnshire's position both nationally and in relation to benchmark LEAs as better than
average.
Resolved - That the attendance statistics be noted and the
continued support by the Education Welfare Service to work with parents towards the
improvement of attendance figures be endorsed.
91 (77) CONNEXIONS - THE BEST START IN LIFE FOR EVERY YOUNG
PERSON - Further to minute 1426 of the former Education Committee, the Director of
Education and Personal Development submitted a report updating members on the
implementation of the Connexions service in the Humber Sub-Region and particularly in
North Lincolnshire.
The Government's aim to ensure that each young person was given the
best possible start in life and the opportunity to develop and achieve their full
potential was announced in its vision for the Connexions strategy in February 2000.
The Humber Sub-Region was one of the pathfinder Connexions services
created during 2000/2001 and had been operational since September 2000. The Sub-Region was
also one of sixteen areas in the UK to be identified to develop business planning for full
Connexions implementation from April 2001.
Draft business plans were currently being prepared for each of the
sixteen first phase areas. Emphasis was being placed on service delivery at a local level
and a local business and delivery plan was being incorporated into the draft Sub-Regional
plan.
Objectives being pursued in the North Lincolnshire Business Plan
were set out in the report. The DfEE was funding the Connexions Partnership in its
entirety.
Resolved - That the council's contribution to the Connexions
service, as discussed in the report, be approved.
92 (78) FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS TO SUPPORT DRUG EDUCATION IN THE
CONTEXT OF THE CURRICULUM FOR PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND CITIZENSHIP AND THE HEALTHY
SCHOOL STANDARD - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a
report informing members of developments in Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship (PSHCE
Education) and Drug Education and giving details of a proposal to appoint an adviser in
line with DfEE recommendations and funding.
The new national curriculum recommended teaching in Health and Drug
Education in all Key Stages. Teaching in Citizenship would become statutory in September
2002 in Key Stages 3 and 4.
The need to provide more support for schools and related services
had been recognised by the DfEE. This council would receive a Standards Fund grant from
April 2001 to employ an adviser who would work closely to national guidance.
Schools and other related services were in need of advice and
training to put into practice the demands of the new curriculum recommendations and to
update their drug policies. The need would be met by the appointment of an adviser with
responsibility for drug education linked to the provision for Healthy School Standard and
PSHCE.
Resolved - That the appointment of a Drugs Adviser within the
broader context of responsibilities for the development of PSHCE provision be supported.
93 (79) NORMANBY HALL COUNTRY PARK DEVELOPMENT AND INCOME
GENERATION WORKING GROUP - The Director of Education and Personal Development
submitted a report advising members of the outcomes from recent meetings of the
Development and Income Generation Working Group. The Group was established by minute 729
of the former Leisure Services Committee at its meeting on 20 January 2000 to investigate
ways in which income could be maximised at Normanby Hall Country Park.
Details of the range of issues addressed by the Working Group were
set out in the report.
Moved by the chair and seconded by Councillor Mrs Metcalfe -
(a) That the report be noted; (b) that the proposed admission
charges to the Park as set out in paragraph 3.2.2 of the report be approved; (c) that
proposals to extend the opening hours of the Hall and Farming Museum and to re-display the
second floor be agreed in principle, and (d) that work be undertaken with the Public
Relations Section in the Corporate Affairs directorate to raise the local and regional
profile of the Park.
Moved by Councillor Stewart and seconded by Councillor Mrs Muir as
an amendment -
The motion with the substitution of the following for part (b)
(b) That entry to the Country Park be free of charge with charges
for additional attractions to be set by the Development and Income Generation Working
Group.
At the request of members and in accordance with Standing Order
18(b) the names of members voting for and against the amendment are as follows -
FOR: Councillors Briggs, England, Holgate, T Muir, Mrs
Redfern, Mrs Sidell, Stewart and Wood.
AGAINST: Councillors Barkworth, Deas, Mrs Delaney,
Gosling, Mrs Martin, Mrs Metcalfe, Phillips, Mrs Simpson, Smith, Swift, Waldron and
Whiteley.
Amendment Lost
Motion Carried
94 (80) ARTS AWARDS APPLICATIONS - The Director of Education
and Personal Development submitted a report giving details of two arts awards
applications, details of which were set out in the report.
Provision for up to eight arts awards of a maximum of £250 each had
been made within the Arts Development budget in the financial year 2000/2001.
Resolved - (a) That as the Hospital Players and Little
Theatre Club have secured sufficient funds for their project, they do not receive further
funding from the Arts Awards scheme as there is no evidence of financial need, and (b)
that the Burton on Stather Good Neighbours Fellowship Arts Award application be approved
and the group be awarded a grant of £176 as a contribution towards the cost of two visits
to
the Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe to visit the Pantomime and one
other performance to be selected from the Spring programme.
95 (81) ARTS, MUSEUMS AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES STRATEGY - The
Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report seeking approval for the
Arts, Museums and Creative Industries Strategy (AMCIS) details of which was summarised in
the report. In October 1999 external consultants were appointed to develop an Arts,
Museums and Creative Industries Strategy for North Lincolnshire. The project was jointly
funded by Yorkshire Arts and the Yorkshire Museums Council and the final report was
received in July 2000.
It had not been possible to report to committee until this meeting
as consideration of all other strategies was put on hold during the Leisure Review
initiated by the Strategic Review Task Group. Consequently a number of the recommendations
had been overtaken by events, not least the development of the Local Cultural Strategy. A
copy of the report was available in the political group offices.
The aim of AMCIS was to be a strategy document for the whole area
and not just for North Lincolnshire.
The Report made over 100 recommendations across all service areas.
For each service area the strategy identified the need for improved marketing and
promotion, and, in the case of the entertainment venues and Normanby Hall Country Park,
urged that consideration be given to the way in which the catering service was delivered.
There was also a section on the staffing structure of the section
which recommended reorganisation to create a marketing role and cultural development role.
This however represented the consultants' view of the ideal structure and did not take
into account the downward pressure on local authority budgets. Detailed consideration of
this section would be postponed until the outcomes of the job evaluation process were
known.
Resolved - (a) That the receipt of the Arts, Museums and
Creative Industries Strategy be noted; (b) that with the exception of the section on
staffing, the recommendations be incorporated into discussions and the planning process
for the Local Cultural Strategy, and (c) that progress be reported to members on an annual
basis.
(Councillor Gosling had previously declared a pecuniary interest in
the following item, minute 96 and left the meeting during consideration of the matter).
96 (82) SCUNTHORPE UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB - POTENTIAL SPONSORSHIP -
The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report which considered
match sponsorship for Scunthorpe United Football Club during the current 2000/2001
football season.
The report explained that the council had sponsored Scunthorpe
United Football Club (SUFC) for the past four years. Preliminary discussions with SUFC had
again revolved around repeating the practice adopted in previous years when 1,000 children
and young people from throughout North Lincolnshire were invited to the match rather than
accepting the standard sponsorship package involving executive hospitality. This approach
has been well received by those who had the opportunity to attend and had been seen as an
excellent ambassadorial exercise by SUFC.
Football League Clubs made a significant contribution to the
sporting profile of their individual catchment areas, and the links between sport and
tourism were becoming more widely recognised. The home match against Plymouth Argyle on 17
March 2001 had been reserved for North Lincolnshire Council pending approval. The cost of
match sponsorship this season was £1500.
Resolved - That match sponsorship for Scunthorpe United
Football Club for 17 March 2001, as outlined in the report, be approved.
97 (83) COMMUNITY CENTRES GRANT AID - The Director of
Education and Personal Development referred to minute 22 approving criteria for a
community centres grant aid scheme and submitted a report inviting the committee to
consider an application from the Grange Farm Community Association, details of which were
set out in his report.
Resolved - (a) That a grant of £3,000 be awarded to the
Grange Farm Community Association towards the revenue running costs for 2000/2001, and (b)
that officers continue to work with the Grange Farm Community Association management
committee to improve the financial performance of the association.
98 (84) 8-4-2 PROJECT BMX FACILITY - The Director of
Education and Personal Development submitted a report seeking approval for the development
of a BMX facility at the Grange Farm Community Centre.
The project had been developed to provide facilities in North
Lincolnshire for roller blading, skateboarding and BMX cycling.
Details of the request were set out in the report.
Resolved - (a) That permission be given for the 8-4-2 Project
to use land next to the Grange Farm Community Centre for the development of a BMX track,
subject to any necessary consents being obtained and agreement being reached with the
8-4-2 Project, and (b) that the Grange Farm Community Association be allowed to retain any
rental income arising from the proposed development.
99 (85) LODGE MOORS COMMUNITY CENTRE - Further to minute 731
of the former Leisure Services Committee, the Director of Education and Personal
Development submitted a report updating members on progress in assisting the Lodge Moors
Community Association to develop a new community centre.
Following a successful application to the National Lottery
Millennium Festival Awards For All programme, a participatory appraisal was undertaken in
the Lodge Moors area in July 2000. The appraisal showed community support for the
potential development of a new community centre and confirmed the existing building's
limitations in meeting community need.
In the light of the appraisal results, work had commenced to provide
a brief to the Estates and Property Section of the Corporate Affairs directorate in order
that the design feasibility could now be undertaken to determine the cost, layout and
possible location of a building suitable to meet community needs.
Local ward representatives had been asked if the council would
assist with the capital financing of the project and this would be dealt with as part of
the 2001/2002 budget process. Officers within the council would provide advisory support
to the association in progressing bids to potential funders for the project.
Resolved - (a) That the report and the current position be
noted, and (b) that officers be thanked for their work on the project.
100 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC - Resolved - That the public be
excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following items (minute 101 to 102
refer) on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as
defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
101 (86) LEARNING SERVICES - CONFIRMATION OF STAFFING
ARRANGEMENTS - The Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report
seeking confirmation of staffing arrangements within the Learning Services Section of his
directorate, details of which were set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report.
Resolved - That the proposal contained within paragraph 3.3
of the report be supported and referred to the Community, Commercial and Corporate Affairs
Committee for approval.
102 (87) MANAGEMENT OF THE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT SERVICE - The
Director of Education and Personal Development submitted a report giving reasons for
recommending a revised management arrangement for the Behaviour Support Service, details
of which were expanded upon in his report.
Resolved - (a) That approval in principle be given to the
Behaviour Service and the Special Education Needs Support Service (SENSS) being line
managed by the Head of SENSS, and (b) that discussions be undertaken with both management
groups and the trade unions towards a greater integration of the service.
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 Reference - Record Subject and Decision
ELS/30/00 Approval to accept the lowest tender for the Thomas
Sumpter Comprehensive School – Extension of Fire Alarms Contract – Project No
11670.
ELS/31/00 Approval to accept the lowest tender for Extensions and
Alterations to Baysgarth Comprehensive School Contract – Project No 10602.
ELS/32/00 Approval to accept the lowest tender for the Normanby Hall
– Café and Kitchen Facilities Contract.
ELS/33/00 Approval to the proposed 20-20 One staffing structure.
ELS/34/00 Approval to accept the lowest tender for the Thomas
Sumpter Comprehensive School – Boiler Replacement Contract – Project No 11683.
ELS/35/00 Approval of grant aid for the development of a luncheon
club at the Westcliff Community Centre.
ELS/36/00 Approval to the secondment of the Senior Education Officer
(SEN & SI) to Rotherham LEA and to the temporary staffing arrangements necessary to
cover his post during this absence.