AGENDA ITEM 3
MINUTES
LEARNING OVERVIEW GROUP
HELD ON TUESDAY 25TH MAY 2004
The meeting commenced at 6.30 p.m. and concluded at 10.10 p.m.
Present:
Councillor Newell (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs Lavender (Vice Chairman)
Councillors Brooke, Mrs Butt, Mrs Hives (substituting for Mrs Dion), Mrs Moore, Montrose, Plummer, Trent (substituting for Councillor Clements), Woodcock and Wretham.
Parent Governor Representative
Mr P Crouch
Also present:
Councillors Gregory, Mrs Hillman, Wilson and Miss Wilson.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Clements, Mrs Dion and Mr K Newman and Canon C Rutledge.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
The following personal interests were declared:
Mr Crouch as Parent Governor for Poole Grammar School.
Councillor Mrs Butt as friend of Parkstone Grammar School; Middle son attends St Edward’s RC/CE VA School; Committee Member of Connexions; daughter in receipt of consessionary fare to School and attending St Mary’s RC VA School; son enjoys benefit of Connexions Service. Two children were SEN and one dyslexic. As a practising Catholic, she would not participate in the debate or vote on M.6.
Councillor Plummer as LEA Governor of Branksome Heath Middle School and St. Edward’s and Lecturer at the Bournemouth & Poole College and Bournemouth University. Children attend Branksome Heath Middle School and St. Edward’s School.
Councillor Brooke as LEA Governor of Merley First School and daughter teaches a Hillbourne Community Middle School.
Councillor Mrs Moore LEA Governor for Canford Heath Middle School, Rossmore Community College and Connexions LMG and Board.
Councillor Wretham as LEA Governor for Longfleet CE VC Combined School and co-opted Governor for Stanley Green First School and Governor of Bournemouth & Poole College.
Councillor Woodcock as LEA Governor for Old Town First School and Nursery, Baden-Powell and St Peters’ CE VC Middle School. Chairman of Connexions Local Management Group and Board Member.
Councillor Mrs Lavender as School helper Year 1 at St Aldhelm’s CE VA Combined School and Member of Traffic Committee.
Councillor Newell as LEA Governor for Poole Grammar School; wife is Deputy Headteacher at Haymoor Middle School and Lecturer at Bournemouth University.
Councillors Brooke, Mrs Butt and Woodcock Members of the Mayoral Car and Mobile Library Panel.
- BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Group received a presentation from Michael Henson, Managing Director, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and Ann Dolan, Head of Local Government Liaison on the work of the Orchestra. Mr Henson reported that the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) performed 40 times in Poole (including ensembles) to a total attendance of approximately 44,000. The BSO Education/Community work had held 56 sessions. Approximately 7,000 people had access to BSO outreach work. He further reported that BSO’s 2003/2004 winter season had now finished and had been received very favourably across the region. During the entire year comprising winter and summer season, summer outdoor concert season and an international tour, the BSO performed in the region 120 full symphonic concerts. BSO’s homebase at the Lighthouse continues to receive the largest amount of concerts across the season, with 27 full symphonic concerts.
In a question and answer session, Mr Henson and Ms Dolan explained that the BSO was funded by 26 local authorities throughout the South West and received £2.2 million from the Arts Council. Also, there was a joint Service Level Agreement with Bournemouth and Poole Borough Councils, and was monitored by Officers from both Borough Councils to ensure best value for both Councils.
The Chairman thanked Mr Henson and Ms Dolan for their presentation and congratulated the BSO particularly for its work in the schools with young people.
- LIGHTHOUSE
The Group received a presentation from Alistair Wilkinson, Head Programmer, on the work of Lighthouse.
He reported that there was more to Lighthouse than meets the eye. He gave examples of the activities taking place at Lighthouse highlighting the following:
- Their primary objective was to promote high quality arts activities.
- As Lighthouse was a charity, they cannot subsidise profit making activities or other charities.
- The recent refurbishment of Lighthouse had improved facilities including the image lab and rehearsal rooms.
In a question and answer session, Mr Wilkinson explained that the public had better access to facilities at Lighthouse than they had before. He also explained that the name “Lighthouse” had been as a result of a market research exercise.
The Chairman thanked Mr Wilkinson for an interesting presentation on the work of Lighthouse.
- MINUTES
The minutes of the meetings held on 16th March and 21st April (Special) 2004, were confirmed by the Group, and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendment:-
16th March meeting M.4 – Denominational and Grammar School Transport – Contribution - add that Councillor Mrs Butt left the room for consideration of M.4.
- TRANSPORT TO DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS AND GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
Further to Minute 4 of the meeting held on 16th March 2004, the Group considered the report of the Policy Director (Education) recommending that as the Group had decided that charging was not to be introduced on discretionary transport, it would be inappropriate at this time to apply for pilot “status” as recommended by the Group at that meeting.
Members agreed that it should make no recommendation to Cabinet regarding charges on discretionary transport to denominational and grammar schools.
AGREED:
i)Not to make any recommendations to Cabinet regarding charges for discretionary transport to denominational and grammar schools; and
ii)it would be inappropriate, at this time, for the Council to become a “pilot” authority, and no recommendation on this matter be made to Cabinet.
Councillor Mrs Butt abstained from voting on this item.
- POOLE LIBRARY MOBILE SERVICE – REPORT AND OPTION APPRAISAL
The Group considered the report of the Head of Culture and Community Learning Services on the recommendation of the Mayoral Car/Mobile Library Member Panel for the replacement of the Mobile Library Vehicle Service for Wallisdown, Merley and Bearwood.
Members asked the Officers to ensure that the replacement vehicle would be large enough to continue the excellent service but not too large to be unable to use the restricted space where it currently parks. Members felt that in an ideal situation a permanent and static library solution should be found in particular geographical areas. They suggested that planning obligations funds might be used to fund a new building similar to that provided as part of the Castle Point shopping development in Bournemouth.
The Head of Culture and Community Learning Services reported that he was meeting Officers from Bournemouth Borough Council next week, and that he would discuss with them the funding for the library at Castle Point and obtain their views on a more permanent solution in Wallisdown, because it was adjacent to the Bournemouth Borough boundary.
AGREED to recommend Cabinet:
(i)to replace the mobile library vehicle and decide on the method of financing the vehicle, either by a lease agreement or capital purchase, subject to an options appraisal being carried out by the Financial Services Section in conjunction with Culture and Community Learning Services; and
(ii)to endorse the recommendation that Officers look towards a complimentary permanent solution for the mobile library service and report to the Learning Overview Group at a later date.
- ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 2003/2004 AND UPDATED ACTIVITIES FOR 2004/2005
The Group considered the updated copy of the Education and Development Plan (EDP) prepared by the Council’s Chief Adviser/Head of School Advice and Support Services for consideration by the Group and to recommend to Cabinet and Council for approval.
The Group considered the priorities set out in the document, five being national priorities and three being Poole priorities. These priorities and their associated activities were intended to help provide clear direction and support for schools in the Borough. Members, in a question and answer session, raised the following issues arising from the EDP:
- Key Stage 2/3 performance targets – the Officers explained that the Key Stage 3 targets were more realistic than the Key Stage 2 targets because historically the Key Stage 2 figures had been set unrealistically high by the DfES when they were introduced in 1998. Members noted that at Key Stage 2, performance had improved, but there was still further room for improvement. Performance at Key Stage 3 and at GCSE levels were in the top quartile of LEAs nationally.
- Concern was expressed that a great deal of time was spent by teachers on STATS test, which could be better spent on developing the children. The Officers reported that there was a national debate currently taking place on this issue, but in the meantime STATS tests had been set for 2004.
- Key Stage 4/14-19 Phase would be subject to external strategic review in the Autumn and Members would be involved in that process.
The Group congratulated the Officers for producing an excellent document.
AGREED that Cabinet be recommended to approve the revised Education Development Plan 2004 and recommend it to Council for approval and submission to the DfES by the 18th July 2004.
- CHARGES FOR SIXTH FORM AND CONCESSIONARY TRANSPORT/16+ TRANSPORT AGENDA
The Group considered the report of the Acting Head of Pupil and Parent Support on the need to review the charges levied for concessionary and sixth form transport.
A Member pointed out that the figures in Paragraph 5.7 and 5.8 were incorrect and it was agreed that they should read as follows:-
Paragraph 5.7 – an increase of 10% would be £230.00 per annum (rounded up). Paragraph 5.8 – for other transport a 10% increase would be £46.00 per term (rounded up to the nearest figure divisible by 3).
Some Members expressed concern that a 10% increase would result in more cars using the roads to the detriment of the environment.
The Officers pointed out that transport costs were much higher than the retail price index, and that the 10% proposed increase would only recover transport inflation.
AGREED to recommend Cabinet to increase the charges levied for sixth form and concessionary transport by 10% with effect from September 2004.
- SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS RESOURCE BASIS FOR HEARING IMPAIRED PUPILS AND THE DYSLEXIA BASE
The Group considered the report of the Acting Head of Pupil and Parent support on the proposed timescale and outline closure procedure for the three Resource Basis for hearing impaired pupils and the Dyslexia Base at Baden-Powell and St. Peter’s Middle Schools.
Members felt that it was important that consultation takes place on the future of the Dyslexia Base and it should not be presumed that the base would close with effect from September 2005, as stated in the Report.
AGREED to recommend to Cabinet:
(i)To approve the timescale and outline closure procedure for the three Resource Basis for hearing impaired pupils; and
(ii)to approve the consultation procedure outlined in the appendix to the Report of the Acting Head of Pupil and Parent Support on the future of the Dyslexia Base.
- SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS CAMPUS PLANNING – POSSIBLE CAMPUS MODELS
The Group considered the report of the Acting Head of Pupil and Parent Support on the Officers’ recommendation that public consultation takes place on the following two proposals:
i)The Learning Disability Campus; and
ii)the Behaviour (Emotional and Social) Difficulties (BESD) Campus.
Members sought assurance of the Officers that no further action should be taken on the proposed sale of the Lodge Hill site by Property Services until the consultation exercise had been completed.
The Policy Director (Education) assured Members that no further information would be given to prospective purchasers on the Lodge Hill site until the consultation exercise had been completed.
Members requested that as part of the consultation exercise consideration be given to better use being made of shared facilities, such as swimming pools, hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, etc.
AGREED to recommend Cabinet to approve the commencement on 10th June 2004 of public consultation regarding the proposals for the SEN Campus Model provision.
- CORPORATE STRATEGY
The Group was asked to comment on the discussion paper referred to Overview Group by Council on the 20th April on proposals for a Corporate Strategy and Business Plan for the Borough of Poole.
The Corporate Director (Education) reported that the discussion paper was discussed at the State of the Area Debate held on 12th May 2004, and the breakaway group dealing with “Schools For The Future” suggested the following items for consideration by Cabinet:
- “This is a great opportunity to develop the role of schools in the community.
- We must have a strategy to sustain schools in the community.
- We must work with a range of partners, including neighbouring authorities, to offer clear rationale for any changes to be made.
- We must undertake thorough research and planning to:
-Explore all options
-Assess the likely impact of change
-Develop a common structure for the organisation of schools.
- We must assure all parents that schools will continue to serve children well.
- We must consult widely, including young people themselves”.
AGREED: To refer the above items raised at the State of the Area Debate to Cabinet as the Group’s comments on the Corporate Strategy.
- BEHAVIOUR ON SCHOOL BUSES
At the request of the Learning Portfolio Holder the Group considered the report of the Head of Transportation Services considered by the Transportation Advisory Group on 15th April 2004 and the decision relating to the behaviour of children on school buses.
A Member referred to the bus monitor scheme operated by St. Mary’s School that worked well and suggested the Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) be requested to consider operating a similar scheme as a pilot on certain routes.
AGREED to recommend the Transportation Advisory Group consider introducing bus monitors chosen from senior pupils on certain routes as a pilot scheme.
CHAIRMAN
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