Agenda and minutes

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Nicky Dykes.

Report RES12087

The Committee considered a report outlining Co-opted Membership appointments to the Committee for 2012/13.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The following Parent Governor Representative appointments be made to the Education PDS Committee for 2012/13 with voting rights:

·  Mrs Janet Latinwo, Primary Parent Governor

·  Mrs Dolores Bray-Ash, Secondary School Parent Governor

·  Mr Darren Jenkins, Special School Parent Governor

2)  Father Owen Higgs representing the Church of England and Mrs Joan McConnell representing the Roman Catholic Church be appointed as Co-opted Members to the Education PDS Committee for 2012/13 with voting rights; and,

3)  The following Education PDS Co-opted Membership appointments be made to the Education PDS Committee for 2012/13 without voting rights:

·  Mr Hilary Richardson as Head Teacher Representative

·  Mrs Alison Regester as Pre-School Settings Representative

·  Mr Andrew Spears as Young People’s Representative

Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP declared that he and Mrs Joan McConnell were parishioners at the same church.

Mrs Dolores Bray-Ash, Parent Governor representative, declared that she was a Governor of Charles Darwin School.

Councillor Lydia Buttinger declared that she was a Governor at Blenheim Primary School. 

Councillor Judi Ellis declared that she was a Governor at Midfield Primary School, Riverside School and Gray’s Farm Primary School, where she was also Chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee. 

Father Owen Higgs, Church representative, declared that he was the Chairman of Governors at St Georges Primary School and that he was also the Chairman of St Georges Parish Church Council. 

Darren Jenkins, Parent Governor representative, declared that he was a Governor at Riverside School and Wickham Common Primary School.

Mrs Janet Latinwo, Parent Governor representative, declared that she was a Governor of Oaklands Primary School.

Mrs Joan McConnell, Church representative, declared that she was Chairman of Governors at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and a Chairman of Governors of an out-of-Borough school.

Councillor Neil Reddin declared that he was a Governor at St Olaves School and that he had a child at a pre-school in the Borough. 

Mrs Alison Regester, the Pre-School Settings and Early Years representative, declared that she ran a private day nursery in the Borough. 

Mr Hilary Richardson, Head Teacher representative, declared that he was Head Teacher of Parish Church of England Primary School.

Councillor Stephen Wells declared that he was a Governor at Worsley Bridge Primary School and Bromley Road Infants School.   

The minutes were agreed subject to the opening sentence of the second paragraph of Item 95g: Asset Management Planning – Post Completion Review Reports being amended to read:

“The Chairman was disappointed at the costs associated with Riverside Beckenham, such as the roofing and the fencing and asked why this had not been anticipated.”

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Children and Young People PDS Committee held on 20^th March 2012 be agreed.

To hear questions to the Committee received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5.00pm on Wednesday 6^th June 2012 and to respond.  Questions must relate to the work of the scrutiny committee.

No questions had been received.

To hear questions to the Portfolio Holder received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5.00pm on Wednesday 6^th June 2012 and to respond.  Questions must relate to the work of the Portfolio.

No questions had been received.

To note decisions of the Portfolio Holder made since the last meeting of the Committee – Information item

The Committee noted decisions taken by the Portfolio Holder since the last meeting of the Education PDS Committee held on 20^th March 2012.

The Education Portfolio Holder to present scheduled reports for pre-decision scrutiny on matters where he is minded to make decisions.

Report ED12005

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report outlining LA Governor Appointments to six schools and academies in the Borough.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve the following LA Governor appointments, subject to CRB checks:

Bromley Road Infant School    Mrs Norma Dodd

      (Orpington)

Chislehurst CE Primary School   Mrs Vicky Cliff

    (Bromley)

Mead Road Infant School  Mr John Davis

  (Chislehurst)

Ravens Wood School    Councillor Robert Evans

      (Farnborough and Crofton Ward)

St Joseph’s RC Primary School    Mr Michael Brunker

    (Beckenham)

St Mark’s CE Primary School  Mrs Brid Stenson-Doyle

Report ED12007

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report outlining the draft portfolio priorities for 2012/13 and the timescales for finalising the portfolio plans within the Education and Care Services Department.  Members also considered performance against the education priorities within the 2011/12 Portfolio Plan for Children and Young People.

The Portfolio Holder addressed the Committee with a summary of his priorities for the year.  These included:

• Reducing the gap between the lowest and highest attaining groups in early years foundation stage and primary education;
• Increasing the education provision for children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs in the Borough.
• The implications of the increasing numbers of academy schools in Bromley; and,
• The increased need for school places in the Borough.

The Executive Support Assistant to the Portfolio Holder for Education addressed the Committee with a summary of her priorities for the year.  She had been appointed Children’s Champion for the Borough and would work to promote a number of issues including:

• The respite care offer available to children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs and their families;
• Research to identify if there was any issue with poor literacy skills amongst school leavers in the Borough;
• Attainment of Looked After Children;
• Fostering and adoption;
• Early intervention with children and their families; and,
• Progress against the Bromley Pledge and the Education Pledge.

Members of the PDS Committee considered the draft portfolio priorities for 2012/13.  A Member highlighted the challenge set by the new Ofsted Framework.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the new Ofsted framework placed an emphasis on the quality of leadership and management in schools, and that the Local Authority would be working at a strategic level to ensure Bromley schools had the right support to deliver continuous improvement.  The Interim Assistant Director (Education) also noted that a number of schools in the Borough had been established as teaching schools in collaboration with the National College and would provide peer support to other schools.  A Co-opted Member underlined the issue of attendance, particularly in primary schools, and noted that there was a need to target the small number of families who appeared to not prioritise school attendance.

A Member queried the need to improve educational attainment against the national curriculum in the Borough.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that whilst Bromley had higher attainment against the national curriculum than the national average, it was important to ensure it was attaining at a similar level to statistical neighbours.  Another Member noted the increased demand for primary school places in the Borough.  The Deputy Assistant Director (Education) confirmed that there had been a significant increase in demand for primary school places, and that this increase was likely to be sustained for the remainder of the decade.  Some primary schools in the Borough had already been permanently expanded, however a wide range of options would be considered to meet the increased demand for places which was also likely to impact the secondary education sector.

With regard to the aim to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8b

Report ED12009

The Portfolio Holder presented a report setting out the performance of the Bromley Youth Music Trust and introduced Mr Michael Purton, Principal of Bromley Youth Music Trust.  Mr Purton outlined the work of the Bromley Youth Music Trust which delivered the Local Authority’s Music service, providing instrumental and vocal tuition through both schools and central activities at the Bromley Youth Music Centre.  He also gave details of the funding strategy developed by Bromley Youth Music Trust to mitigate against the impact of changes in the level of council funding, and the work undertaken by the Trust as the lead partner in the Bromley Music Education Hub, which had successfully secured government funding for music education until 2015.

A Member queried the impact of the new funding arrangements on Bromley Youth Music Trust.  Mr Purton confirmed that the sum allocated to Bromley by the Government included an additional allocation of £60,000, which would help offset a reduction in Local Authority funding of £100,000 over the next three years.  Government funding would then reduce to previous levels.  A wide range of income generation activities were being undertaken to offset any shortfall in funds.  This included the establishment of a fundraising committee in 2008 which had undertaken a number of activities, raising over £32,000 through the Bromley Youth Music Trust Network and £12,000 through donations.

In response to a query around whether the proposed increase to music lesson fees would reduce the number of children taking lessons through Bromley Youth Music Trust teachers and increase those receiving private tuition, Mr Purton confirmed that the proposed fee levels were still below those charged by the London Boroughs of Croydon and Bexley and Kent County Council, and that the cost of private tuition varied widely depending on the qualifications of the teacher.  The Chairman asked whether Bromley Youth Music Trust was working with independent schools in the Borough.  Mr Purton confirmed that work was undertaken with a range of schools in the Borough, and that children of all schools were welcome to join group music activities as appropriate.  Bromley Youth Music Trust also worked with hard to reach groups of children and young people, and a very successful holiday course had recently been offered to Looked After Children, giving them the opportunity to learn to play the ukulele.

A Co-opted Member asked how the Bromley Youth Music Trust engaged with children and young people with special educational needs.  Mr Purton confirmed that representatives of special schools in the Borough were included in the membership of the Music Education Partnership Group, and a full audit of all music education services in the Borough was currently underway which would include the identification of those services provided to special schools, special units and to children and young people with special educational needs in mainstream schools.  The Co-opted Member emphasised the importance of supporting children and young people with special educational needs to engage with music services.

A Member queried the progress that had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8c

Report ED12008

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report which noted that the main contract for speech and language provision within the Borough was held by the Primary Care Trust and delivered by Bromley Healthcare CIC with an annual value of £1.2m and was not due to expire until 2016.  The Local Authority also held two contracts with Bromley Healthcare for the provision of additional speech and language support within special schools, special units and mainstream school settings with a combined annual value of £310k which were due to expire on 31 July 2012.  The report sought authorisation to combine the two contracts with Bromley Healthcare CIC into a single contract and extend this contract for a further twelve months until 31 July 2013 to allow time for the Local Authority and the Primary Care Trust to work together to explore pooled funding arrangements for speech and language provision, and to develop a detailed commissioning strategy to update the current specification for the service.

In considering the report, Councillor Brian Humphrys noted that the proposed extended contract would expire on 31 July 2013 and asked that a study be undertaken prior to the re-tendering of the contract to investigate the use of Occupational and Speech and Language Therapists within special schools, special units and mainstream school settings, and to compare this provision with that of Independent schools to ensure provision was delivered in the most effective way.  Councillor Brian Humphrys underlined that more use should be made of Occupational and Speech and Language Therapists in special schools, special units and mainstream school settings, and that early intervention would benefit the long term prospects of Bromley pupils.  A Co-opted Member agreed that early intervention was key to reducing longer term issues and noted that speech and language provision for children under 5 years had been cut significantly over recent years.  Councillor Brian Humphrys suggested that the Health and Wellbeing Fund be utilised to fund additional Speech and Language therapists.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve a proposed twelve month extension for the combined contract with Bromley Healthcare CIC.

Report ED12012

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report providing an update from the meeting of the Executive Member officer Working Group for Special Educational Needs held on 29^th May 2012, and seeking approval for the release of funds allocated as part of the Basic Need Capital Programme to expand provision at the unit for complex needs at Crofton Infants School and to fund improvements to the facilities of the Hearing Impairment Unit at Darrick Wood Secondary School.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Approve the expenditure of £400,000 from the Basic Need Capital Programme for the development of extra in-Borough provision at Crofton Infant School, subject to legal agreements being in place with regard to work undertaken in schools with academy status and relevant Chief Officer agreement to award of contract following tender in line with financial regulations;

2)  Approve expenditure of £30,000 for first phase works at Darrick Wood Secondary School to take place during Summer 2012, subject to legal agreements being in place with regard to work undertaken in schools with academy status;

3)  Approve the necessary expenditure for Officers to proceed with feasibility works for the second phase of the project at Darrick Wood Secondary School, subject to legal agreements being in place with regard to work undertaken in schools with academy status; and,

4)  Agree that, where appropriate, the relevant Chief Officer be authorised to submit planning applications at the appropriate time in respect of the schemes at Crofton Infant and Darrick Wood Secondary School.

The items comprise:

• Education Policy and Legislative Changes: Update
• Academy Programme in Bromley: Update
• Draft Children’s Strategy for 2012-15
• Performance Monitoring 4th Quarter 2011/12
• Update on the Performance and Development of the Bromley Duke of Edinburgh Awards Programme
• Education and Care Services: Departmental Structure

Members and Co-opted Members have been provided with advance copies of the briefing via e-mail.  The briefing is also available on the Council's Website at the following link: http://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=559&Year=2012

The Portfolio Holder Briefing comprised six reports:

• Education Policy and Legislative Changes: Update
• Academy Programme in Bromley: Update
• Draft Children’s Strategy for 2012-15
• Performance Monitoring 4th Quarter 2011/12
• Update on the Performance and Development of the Bromley Duke of Edinburgh Awards Programme
• Education and Care Services: Departmental Structure

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder Briefing be noted.

Decision – To approve the report.

The Committee considered the annual report of the Children and Young People PDS Committee for 2011-12.  Following consideration, Members of the Committee requested that a number of changes be made to the report prior to its consideration by the Executive and Resources PDS Committee on 14^th June 2012, before submission to Council on 25^th June 2012.

RESOLVED that the annual report of the CYP PDS Committee be approved.

Decision – To agree the Work Programme for 2012/13 and establish working parties and Sub Committees.

Report ED12011

The Committee considered the forward rolling work programme for the year ahead, based on items scheduled for decision by the Education Portfolio Holder and items for consideration by the Education PDS Committee.

In considering the work programme for the Committee, the Chairman highlighted the priority for primary school place planning and proposed that the Primary School Development Plan Working Group be reconstituted prior to the next meeting of Education PDS Committee.  This was supported by the PDS Committee and Member nominations were received from Councillors Kathy Bance, Lydia Buttinger, Judi Ellis, Brian Humphrys and Neil Reddin.

The Chairman also proposed that a Budget Sub-Committee be established to consider budgetary matters relating to the Education Portfolio.  This was supported by the PDS Committee and Member nominations were received from Councillors Nicholas Bennett JP, Lydia Buttinger, Nicky Dykes, David McBride and Neil Reddin.

The Chairman announced that a seminar would be held in November 2012 for all Members of the PDS Committee and Council to attend to hear speakers on a range of themes and issues that were key to the education Portfolio.  These themes would include Looked After Children – the role of the virtual Head Teacher, Raising the Participation Age, SEN Strategy and School Places.

An Education Select Committee would also be held at 7.00pm on 17^th July 2012 to explore the issue of sold services to schools, and all members of the PDS Committee were invited to attend.

In considering the Work Programme for 2012-13, Members requested that a number of additional reports be considered at future meetings of the Education PDS Committee:

• Speech and Language Report (November 2012)
• Youth Offending Team Update – Progress following Inspection (date TBC)
• Youth Services Update (November 2012)

Members also requested that an update on the Behaviour Service be included as part of the Further Review of the Behaviour Service report to be considered at the meeting of the Education PDS Committee on 11^th September 2012.

It was noted that in future, a list of upcoming report titles would be circulated to all Members of the Committee in advance of each meeting to allow Members to ask questions and highlight themes they would like included in each report.

The Chairman highlighted the school visits arranged on a termly basis and encouraged all Members of the Committee to attend.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The Primary School Development Plan Working Group be reconstituted for 2012/13 to develop recommendations for further temporary and permanent expansions of primary schools and for membership to comprise Councillors Kathy Bance, Lydia Buttinger, Judi Ellis, Brian Humphrys and Neil Reddin;

2)  A Budget Sub-Committee be established for 2012/13 to consider budgetary matters relating to the Education Portfolio and for membership to comprise Councillors Nicholas Bennett JP, Lydia Buttinger, Nicky Dykes, David McBride and Neil Reddin;

3)  The Education Forward Rolling Work Programme 2012-13 be noted.

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it was likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes of the meeting of Children and Young People PDS Committee held on 20^th March 2012 be agreed.

To note Part 2 decisions of the Portfolio Holder made since the last meeting of the Committee – Information item

The Committee noted exempt (Part 2) decisions taken by the Portfolio Holder since the last meeting.

The Education Portfolio Holder to present scheduled reports for pre-decision scrutiny on matters where he is minded to make decisions.

Report ED12006

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.

Report ED12010

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.