Meeting documents

Children's Services and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel
Monday 24 November 2008

v
CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND LEISURE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL

24 NOVEMBER 2008

PRESENT: Councillors J Evans (Chairman), Miss Barton, Fido, Lenton, Mrs Pitteway (Vice-Chairman), Mrs Stock and D Wilson.

Non Members: Councillor Mrs Quick.

Officers: Mr Bradley, Mr Herlinger, Mr Kiely, Mr Mist, Mr Packham, Mr Thomas and Mr Turner.

Also present: Mr McGarry and Mr Maskell.
part i

44/08 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor James Evans was elected Chairman for the remainder of the municipal year.

45/08 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

46/08 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following declarations of interests were received:

Councillors Miss Barton, J Evans, Fido, Lenton, Mrs Pitteway, Mrs Stock and D Wilson declared personal interests in Item 8, Appointment of LEA Representatives to Governing Bodies of Schools in the Royal Borough, as they knew Councillors T Bursnall and Majeed, who were both applicants for school governor vacancies.

Councillors J Evans and Fido declared a personal interest in Part II Item 16, Youth Services Review, as Council appointed members of the management committee for Manor Youth and Community Centre.

Councillor Fido declared a personal interest in all education related items on the agenda as a LEA appointed School Governor of Dedworth Middle School and St Edwards Royal Free Ecumenical Middle School.

Councillors Fido and Mrs Stock declared an interest in item 5, Twinning Committee, as they were both Council appointed members of the Twinning Committee.

Councillor Mrs Pitteway declared a personal interest in all education related items on the agenda as a School Governor of Knowl Hill Primary School.
CHILDREN’S SERICES AND LEISURE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL – 24.11.08
Councillor Mrs Stock declared a personal interest as her husband was a non-executive director of the Primary Care Trust and her daughter was a teacher at Charters School.

Councillor D Wilson declared a personal interest in all education related items on the agenda as a School Governor of Desborough School.

Mr Herlinger declared a personal interest in Item 8, Appointment of LEA Representatives to Governing Bodies of Schools in the Royal Borough, as he was acquainted with Mr Tisi, one of the applicants for a governor role.

Mr Kiely declared a personal interest in Item 12, Holyport Manor School, and Part II Item 16, Youth Services Review, as he was a member of the Cox Green Community Centre.

47/08 MINUTES
    RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 29 September 2008 be approved.

48/08 TWINNING COMMITTEE

The Panel received a detailed presentation from Mr McGarry (Chairman of the Twinning Committee) and Mr Maskell (treasurer).

During the presentation the following comments were made:
    The Twinning Committee acted on behalf of the Council.
    There were four Council representatives on the Committee.
    There were a total of seventeen members on the Committee. It was hoped that younger people could be attracted to the role in future years.
    A whole range of events and activities took place each year, including schools and education, youth activities, sport, cultural groups, work and industry and health and welfare.
    The Committee also awarded grants.
    It was recognised that better links to schools and education groups were needed. Strong links did exist with Desborough School and Windsor Boys’ School.
    The Royal Borough would next host the youth Sports Festival in September 2012.
    Funding all Twinning activities remained a concern. There were increased pressures on the limited funds available. This could result in a reduction in the grants offered by the Committee.

In the ensuing discussion, the following comments were made:
    Several members commented on how valuable the work of the committee was, and remarked upon the importance of the activities it supported.
    Most members of the Committee met their own costs.
    New EU funding sources might be available to assist in the running of the Sports Festival.
    In the other twin towns there were paid officers to carry out administrative functions.
    An officer explained that one of the twin towns was particularly strong in its residential care for the elderly. A twin town visit, including representatives from local housing associations, to learn more about the provision was very successful. Residential care in the borough had improved as a result and it was possible that similar measures would be adopted elsewhere in the UK.
    The Panel recognised the hard work of the Committee members, in particular the Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

Members joined the Chairman in thanking Mr McGarry and Mr Maskell for an informative presentation.

49/08 EVALUATION OF FIRST YEAR OF PHASE 2 OF CHILDREN’S CENTRES

Members received the report due to be submitted to Cabinet on 22 January 2009, on Phase 2 Children’s Centres in the Royal Borough. Children’s Centres are a “one-stop” shop for delivering services to families of young children. Services included parenting advice, health advice and support for parents and carers seeking employment.

The Panel endorsed the report. They requested that a future report should include details of performance against reach targets and the results of the “annual conversation” with each centre co-ordinator.
    RESOLVED: That the report be recommended to Cabinet for approval.

50/08 ANNUAL CONSULTATION ON SCHOOL ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS

Members received the report due to be submitted to Cabinet on 18th December 2008. The report fulfilled the statutory requirement to consult annually on admission arrangements.

In the ensuing discussion, the following comments were made:
    Members queried the removal of the medical and social criterion from the proposed admissions arrangements. It was a difficult and subjective criterion which potentially disadvantaged some pupils. It could result in some parents seeking statements of special educational need.
    Members were pleased to note the proposal that first admission to school would take place at two points a year.
    The Panel queried the potential impact of Desborough Boys’ School admitting girls into its sixth form from September 2009.
    In relation to the admission of children as rising or pre-rising fives, it was confirmed that the £600,000 would have to be found within the existing Dedicated Schools Grant.
    The Panel noted that the Department for Children, Schools and Families had immediately implemented part of the 2009 Admissions Code referred to in paragraph 3.1.7 of the Cabinet report. This would result in a longer period of consultation and a wider range of groups to be consulted. The Cabinet report would be amended to reflect this new requirement.

    RESOLVED: That the report be recommended to Cabinet for approval, subject to the inclusion of the comments outlined above.
51/08 APPOINTMENT OF LEA REPRESENTATIVES TO GOVERNING BODIES OF SCHOOLS IN THE ROYAL BOROUGH

Members received the report due to be submitted to Cabinet on 18 December 2008, on the Appointment of LEA Representatives to Governing Bodies.

They noted that there were two applications for one of the vacancies, and expressed a hope that the unsuccessful candidate could be encouraged to consider vacancies at other schools.

The Panel endorsed the report. Specific comments for inclusion in the final cabinet report were as follows:
    The Panel noted that two applications had been received in respect of Windsor boys’ school and that the school had met with Mr Tisi. They expressed a hope that the school would be able to meet with Councillor Bursnall in advance of the Cabinet meeting.
    In relation to all applications it was suggested that no further applications should be considered by Cabinet without first completing the revised application form.
    Members expressed concern about the vacancy at Dedworth Green First School, which had been vacant for a long period of time.

    RESOLVED: That the report be recommended to Cabinet for approval, subject to the inclusion of the comments outlined above.
52/08 SERVICE MONITORING REPORT

Members received the latest 2008/09 Budget Monitoring Report for all service areas, with areas relevant to the Children’s Services and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel highlighted. It was noted that data supplied for inclusion on the agenda pages 73-80 was out of date and revised figures were distributed. Overspends in the looked after children budget and on those who were disabled, were noted. A bid would be submitted for capital funding for food technology space at St Peter’s Middle School and Windsor Boys’ School.








    53/08 PRELIMINARY BUDGET

    Members received the report on the Preliminary Budget which was due to be submitted to Cabinet on 18 December 2008.

    The Panel endorsed the report. They commented on the potential impact of the financial downturn on the housing/accommodation budget and any potential impact on visitor numbers and tourism, which generated local employment.
      RESOLVED: That the report be recommended to Cabinet for approval, subject to the inclusion of the comments outlined above.

    54/08 FEES AND CHARGES

    Members received the report due to be submitted to Cabinet on 18 December 2008, on the 2009/2010 Fees and Charges.

    The Panel did not comment on the report. The Lead Member for Children’s Services encouraged Panel members to email to her any comments that they wished to make.
      55/08 HOLYPORT MANOR SCHOOL RE-PROVISION

      Members received a verbal progress update on the re-provision of Holyport Manor School.
        New turf had been laid on major playing surfaces.
        The all weather pitch would be ready for use after Christmas 2008.
        The tender process for construction of the main school was progressing positively.
        Construction on site was expected to commence in February 2009.
        The respite unit would be the subject of a separate procurement process.
        The range of community facilities to be constructed would be the subject of a report to the Cabinet Prioritisation Sub-Committee.
        September 2010 remained the target for all facilities to be constructed and in use.
        The Borough’s Leisure Services team would manage leisure facilities on the site.
        The entire project remained on time and within budget.
      56/08 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 – EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

      RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 14 - 16 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 - 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.