Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Cuthbertson.

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 7 December 2010.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 7 December 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

Further to Minute No. 65 of the meeting held on 7 December 2010, the Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director -Children, Schools and Families providing information on the outcome of the consultation on the proposal to close St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School and seeking approval to publish a statutory notice for the proposal.

The Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families outlined the report and gave information in relation to the outcome of the consultation process, and information on the proposals; including background; current demographics; surplus places; funding; standards and details of the options considered.

This was a key decision and was included on the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the responses to the consultation considered be noted and the proposal to close St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School be approved subject to the modification of the closure date to  31 August 2012;

(2)       the process for the closure of St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School, be progressed by the publication of the Statutory Notice.

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 outcomes of the Performance of Schools Report on school standards at GCSE and A-Level.

RESOLVED:

That the Performance of Schools Report and the relative performance of Sefton against national, local and statistical neighbours 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 seeking approval for Phase 2 additional works at Aintree Davenhill Primary School.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the proposed Phase 2 additional works at Aintree Davenhill School 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. 56 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services), the Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director – Children, Schools and Families which detailed the Sefton Children’s Services Annual Assessment Letter from Ofsted.

The Strategic Director explained that Ofsted publish their assessment of every local authority via a public annual assessment letter during December of each year, which awarded a grade and summarised overall performance.

It was reported that Sefton’s grade remained as “an organisation that exceeds minimum standards” – Performs Well (3).

The Strategic Director highlighted that it was encouraging to note that Ofsted recognised that good progress had been made over the past twelve months, with the large majority of schools, services, settings and institutions inspected as good or better.  Ofsted had also noted the good progress made across youth offending and adoption services.  It was reported that Ofsted had however noted the following areas for development:-

·         Improve arrangements for safeguarding in front-line practice;

·         Sustain progress in educational outcomes for children at five;

·         Improve achievements of 11 and 16 year olds from low-income backgrounds.

The Strategic Director made reference to the verbal feedback he had received from the inspector stating that Sefton had not been far from receiving a judgement of outstanding.

The Strategic Director further reported that the Annual Assessment of every Local Authority was being abolished.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the contents of the Ofsted letter be noted; and

(2)       Officers of Children’s Services be congratulated for all their hard work in relation to the improvement.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

The Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director- Children, Schools and Families advising on the significant improvements made by the Youth Offending Service in relation to the Core Care Re-inspection in September 2010.

The report indicated that the Youth Offending Services, following the outcome of the re-inspection, was now placed in the top quartile of performing youth offending services in the country.

The Youth Offending Service re-inspected Improvement Plan set out within the report would be monitored by the Ministry of Justice over the calendar year 2011. 

 RESOLVED: That

(1)       the significant improvements made by the Youth Offending Service be noted and further improvements over the next twelve months be supported; and 

(2)       the Head of the Youth Offending and his staff be thanked and congratulated on their continual effort and excellent work in relation the comments made.

Report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families

Further to Minute No.60 of the meeting held on 16 November 2010, the Cabinet Member considered the report of the Strategic Director - Children, Schools and Families on vacancies on the governing bodies of a number of Community and Voluntary Aided schools.

RESOLVED:

That the undermentioned persons be appointed to serve on the Governing Bodies of the schools indicated for a period of four years:-