Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

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 16 November 2010.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider, in accordance with Rule 27 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules of the Constitution, a petition signed by 929 residents regarding the proposal to consult on closure of St Wilfrid’s High School, Bootle and supporting the alternative proposal being developed by governors of St.Wilfrid’s and St. George of England High School, to develop a merged school on one site, using the best practice and specialisms of each school and called upon Sefton Council to support the proposal in principle and work with partners to develop an excellent school offering parents a choice of school in the Bootle and Litherland area.

The Cabinet Member considered, in accordance with Rule 27 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules of the Constitution, a petition signed by 3,983 residents of the Borough regarding the proposal to consult on closure of St Wilfrid’s High School, Bootle. The petition supported the alternative proposal being developed by governors of St.Wilfrid’s and St. George of England High School, to develop a merged school on one site, using the best practice and specialisms of each school and called upon Sefton Council to support the proposal in principle and work with partners to develop an excellent school offering parents a choice of school in the Bootle and Litherland area.

Mr. J.Murphy, on behalf of the petitioners, addressed the Cabinet Member in support of the terms of the petition.

The Cabinet Member advised the petitioners that the consultation on the proposals in relation to St. Wilfrid’s High School was still ongoing and Mr Murphy’s representations would be considered as part of that process, which would be reported to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member. 

RESOLVED:

That the Planning Strategic Director, Children, Schools and Families be requested to consider Mr Murphy’s representations as part of the on-going consultation process in relation to the proposals regarding St.Wilfrid’s High School.

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 regarding the outcome letter from Ofsted in relation to the 2010 Annual Unannounced Inspection of the Contact, Referral and Assessment arrangements within Sefton’s Children’s Service.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the contents of the outcome letter  in relation to the 2010 Annual Unannounced Inspection of the Contact, Referral and Assessment arrangements within Sefton’s Children’s Service be noted; and

(2)       the Safeguarding, Early Intervention and Prevention Director be requested to finalise and implement the action plan to address urgently the areas of development set out in the letter.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families on proposed additional schemes at Stanley High School, Southport, Christ Church CE Primary School, Bootle and Maghull High School, Maghull.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the schemes, as set out in the report, be approved;  and

(2)       the Cabinet be recommended to include the proposed expenditure in the 2010/11 Children, Schools and Families Capital Programme.

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 approved schemes and to seek approval for additional schemes at JETS Out of School Club.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the update on previously approved schemes be noted;

(2)       the proposed additional schemes be approved; and

(3)       the Cabinet be recommended to include the proposed expenditure in the 2010/11 Children, Schools and Families Capital Programme.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families seeking approval for the proposed expenditure of the Sefton City Learning Centres Capital Redevelopment Funding.

Ms Chris Dalziel, School Organisation & Capital Programme Manager indicated that since the publication of the report, representations were made to Partnerships for Schools (PfS) to request that the balance which remains from the 2009/10 allocation of the City Learning Centre Redevelopment funding be carried forward into the current financial year. A response to this request was received on 24 November 2010 and the PfS had confirmed that the £261.081 could be carried forward into 2010/11 but must be expended by 31 March 2011.  The total funding available in 2010/11 was therefore £561,081.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the proposed expenditure, to be funded entirely from specific resources be approved, and

 (2)      the Cabinet be recommended to include the proposed expenditure in the 2010/11 Children, Schools and Families Capital Programme.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families which gave an Outline Business case for the use of Thornton Site for Post 16 Learners with Learning Difficulties and or Disabilities.

Peter Morgan, Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families reported that there was a need to develop the market for Learners with Learning Difficulties and or Disabilities in order to improve quality and reduce costs.  He explained that the Independent Sector Provider costs were high compared to the cost of Local Authority Special School Places.  Each place cost approximately £35k for a day place to in excess of £65k for a residential placement compared to a day place at a Sefton special school of £14k. 

The proposal was to use two million pounds of the Targeted Capital Funding to refurbish and develop the junior school building at Thornton Primary School.  The provision would complement provision at local sector colleges, Hugh Baird and Southport, and provide more effective links to those institutions. Flexible pathways would be created in order that students may progress to the next stage of their career at the right time rather than at the end of a fixed period as happens with Independent Sector Provider Placements.  This meant that Students may attend Thornton for 1 year, whilst others may need up to three years to be ready to move on.

RESOLVED:

That the Outline Business Case for the use of Thornton Site for Post 16 Learners with Learning Difficulties and or Disabilities be approved.     

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

Further to Minute No. 35 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services) meeting of the 26 October 2010. the Cabinet Member considered comments made by Members regarding the report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families in relation to Post-16 Annual Travel Passes – Policy Review. 

The report referred to the Strategic Budget Review and Budget 2010/11 report which had been considered by Cabinet at their Meeting, 8 July 2010 which outlined the impact of the Government’s intention to reduce public expenditure by an average of 25% over 3 years.  The report also explained that a number of savings options were being considered as the Council worked towards ensuring a balanced budget position.  One of those was a reduction in the Post 16 Mainstream Travel Allowance Budget. Overview and Scrutiny Members at their meeting debated the various options set out in the report.    

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services) in relation to the Post 16 Annual Travel Passes – Polcy Review be noted; and

(2)       the proposal to submit a further detailed report to a future meeting be noted.

Joint report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families and the Planning and Economic Development Director

The Cabinet Member considered the joint report of the Strategic Director Children, Schools and Families and the Planning and Economic Development Director informing of the progress of two Skills Funding Agency and ESF Co-financed funded projects.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Contracts as detailed within the report be entered into with Skills Funding Agency for Learning & Support during KS4 and Retention in Post 16 Learning projects until 31 March 2011; and

(2)       Further reports be submitted to a future meeting regarding progress.