Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor H. Preece and Mr. A. Bell – Church Diocesan Representative.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of interest were received:-

Minutes of the meeting held on *

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 5 October 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director, Children, School and Families seeking approval for the proposed scheme to relay flooring in the Hall at Crosby Youth Club.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the proposed scheme at Crosby Youth Club as detailed within the report be approved; and

(2)       Cabinet be requested to include the funding for the scheme in the Children, Schools and Families Capital Programme 2010/11.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

Further to Minute No. 97 of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 2 September 2010, the Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director, Children, School and Families seeking approval for the proposed scheme at Shoreside Primary School, Southport.

The report indicated that the proposed scheme was to carry out remodelling works and a new build, to provide a new secure entrance lobby, administration office and staffroom.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the proposed scheme at Shoreside Primary School, Southport be approved; and

(2)       Cabinet be requested to include the funding for the scheme in the Children, Schools and Families Capital Programme 2010/11.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

Further to Minute No. 97 of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 2 September 2010, the Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director,  Children, School and Families seeking approval for the proposed scheme at Merefield Special School, Southport to be funded from the Schools Access Initiative funding.

The report indicated that the proposed scheme was to improve the safety for pupils by creating an additional entrance/exit to the car park.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the proposed scheme at Merefield Special School, Southport as indicated within the report be approved; and

(2)       Cabinet be requested to include the funding for the scheme in the Children, Schools and Families Capital Programme 2010/11.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director Children, Schools and Families updating on the School Capacity Collection 2010 (formerly the Surplus Places Return), which all Authorities have a statutory duty to supply to the Department for Children, Schools and Families on an annual basis.

RESOLVED:

That the School Capacity Collection 2010 be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director, Children, Schools and Families which sought to declare the premises at Thomas Gray Infant School surplus to the operational requirements of the Children, Schools and Families Department.

RESOLVED:

That the Strategic Director, Communities be authorised, in consultation with the Interim Head of Corporate Legal Services to negotiate the transfer of site and buildings of Thomas Gray Infant School, Balfour Road, back into the Corporate Portfolio under the management of the Council’s Corporate Property Client with effect from 1 October 2010.

Report of the Environmental and Technical Services Director

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Environmental and Technical Services Director advising of tenders received in respect of the proposals to provide new nursery accommodation at Summerhill Primary School, Maghull as part of the Early Years and Childcare Grant and Extended Schools Programme.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the lowest tender received from D. Henderson and Son, Southport in the sum of £294,564.00 to provide new nursery accommodation at Summerhill Primary School, Maghull as part of the Early Years and Childcare Grant and Extended Schools Programme be accepted;

(2)       the Interim Head of Corporate Legal Services be requested to enter into a formal contract with the successful tenderer;

(3)       it be noted that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services) had given his consent under Rule 17 of the Scrutiny Procedure Rules for this decision to be treated as urgent and not subject to “call-in” on the basis that it can not reasonably be deferred as an early commencement of the works on site would maximise the expenditure in the current financial year and ensure that the year specific Early Years and Childcare Grant funding is fully utilised.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director Children, Schools and Families providing information relating to the current Sefton Post 16 Travel Pass and Transport Policy and the possible revision of the Policy to take into account the revision to the budget.

RESOLVED: That

(1)          the recommended option which aligns Sefton with other Local Authorities and continues to support lower income households, be approved in principle and referred to the Overview and Scrutiny                   Committee (Children’s Services) for their observations and recommendations;

(2)          officers be requested to consult on the proposals with colleges, sixth form, Connexions Services and Merseytravel; and

(3)          a further report be submitted for final Policy approval by 31 January 2011 in order to ensure students can be made aware of the revised policy when considering their options.