Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of interest (if any) from Members of the Sub-Committee arising from business to be transacted at this meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business transacted at this meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That (1) all items be considered with the press and public present;

(2)  Items 10 and 17 be discussed concurrently;

(3)  Item 12 be taken in advance of Item 11;

(4)  Items 13 and 14 be discussed concurrently.

That (1) the minutes of the meetings held on 8 April 2003 and 30 June 2003, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as correct records;

(2) the minutes of the joint meeting held on 17 September 2003 be deferred until printed in the next Council Bound Minute Volume.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2003, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record;

(2)  authority be given to the Chair to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2003 following the meeting.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 8 (Part 4F of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions had been received.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 9 (Part 4F of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions had been received.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 10 (Part 4F of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations had been received.

To receive any references from Council, Cabinet and/or other Committees.

RESOLVED: That the reference received from the Education Consultative Forum, in relation to the Public Library Position Statement, be noted and considered under Item 10 of the agenda (Minute 96 refers).

Report of the Interim Director of Education.

The Sub-Committee received the report of the Interim Director of Education which outlined the annual Education Service Review for the year 2002?2003. The Interim Director of Education informed Members that the Education Service annually reviews progress against targets in the Education Service Strategy, which currently covers the period 2002?2006. Members were additionally informed that the Education Service Strategy included 17 Strategic Targets which indicated progress made towards the four Strategic Priorities:

(1)                 Continuing to raise awareness;

(2)                 Targeting services for individual children and families;

(3)                 Regenerating and empowering the community through learning;

(4)                 Making effective use of resources.

The Interim Director of Education advised Members that the Education Service Review report was being presented to the Sub-Committee differently this year. Following feedback from previous years, it was decided that it would be more efficient to separate the Data Profile and Best Value Performance Indicators from the main report, in order for Members to concentrate on the overall progress against each of the 17 Strategic Targets. Both the Data Profile and Best Value Performance Indicators reports had been inserted into the Information Circular, as stand-alone documents which Members could cross-refer back to throughout the following academic year. 

The Interim Director of Education recommended that Members focus particularly on the 17 Strategic Targets summarised on pages 23 and 24 of the report; which could be cross?referred to the detailed information on progress against each of the targets contained within pages 26?55 of the report. The Sub-Committee was also referred to the headline statements on pages 20 and 21 of the report, which highlight significant progress made against targets in 2002?2003.

The Chair invited Members to put any questions relating to the Education Service Review report to either the Interim Director of Education or the Education and Lifelong Learning Portfolio Holder, whom the Chair additionally welcomed to the meeting.

In relation to Strategic Target 1 (i), the Vice Chair welcomed the information showing that unauthorised absence levels for both primary and secondary schools had decreased to 0.21% and 0.52% respectively but asked about the level of unauthorised absence in special schools which was significantly higher at 1.98%. Responding, the Interim Director of Education advised that the issue of the level of unauthorised absence in special schools had been noted by officers and that this issue was being addressed at the relevant schools.

With reference to Strategic Target 1 (e), a Member asked about the range of unsatisfactory teaching and learning in schools, which at its maximum was 7%, and requested to know whether any special efforts were being made in these schools. Responding, the Interim Director of Education advised that following OFSTED inspections in schools, Advisers visited schools and provided a higher level of support where there were relatively high levels of unsatisfactory teaching. The Education and Lifelong Learning Portfolio Holder added that Harrow schools had good statistics in this area in comparison with other schools and that it was important to focus support where teaching or learning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

(a)               Report of the Executive Director, People First.

(b)               Minutes and recommendations arising from the meeting of the Public Library Position Statement Working Group held on 1 September 2003.

The Sub-Committee received the report of the Executive Director (People First) which contained the draft submission of the Public Library Position Statement. The Sub-Committee was requested to consider the draft Public Library Position Statement in conjunction with the reference received from the Education Consultative Forum and refer any comments to Cabinet.

The Library Services Manager informed Members that Annual Library Plans were discontinued as part of the Local Government White Paper implementation process. They have been succeeded by Position Statements for a maximum of two years by library authorities other than those with particularly high ratings in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment of 2002.

The objective of Public Library Position Statements is to show how English public library authorities intend to shape and deliver their library services in line with themes within ‘Framework for the Future: Libraries, Learning and Information in the Next Decade’, published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in early 2003, and to give an indication of their current service levels. The Library Services Manager advised that Section 3.1 of the draft statement outlined areas where the Council had already met standards and areas which required improvement.Members were additionally informed that Harrow’s book issues per capita have been ranked as the highest in Outer London boroughs in the most recently published comparative data from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA).

The Chair referred Members to page 79 of the agenda which detailed the findings and recommendations made by the Public Library Position Statement Working Group, which had been set up by Members of the Sub-Committee to review the draft statement in depth. In relation to Recommendation (v), a Member of the Sub-Committee queried why there was a shortage of librarians. In response, the Library Services Manager advised that the number of graduates going into Library Services was insufficient to meet demand, adding that working in local government was not perceived to be as attractive as other graduate level employment.

A Member of the Sub-Committee commented that Harrow libraries’ opening hours have been increased, which has significantly improved access to facilities. The Member wished to know whether there were any plans to improve other facilities within libraries, such as catering facilities. The Library Services Manager advised that there are plans to incorporate a cafeteria at the Healthy Living Centre which will be sharing premises with the planned new library in Wealdstone, and there may also be plans to build such facilities at the proposed central library in due course.

The Sub-Committee considered and noted the reference from the Education Consultative Forum in relation to the draft statement. The Chair wished to thank the Library Services Manager for his presentation and stated that Harrow does have a very good library service.

RESOLVED: That (1) the recommendations arising from the meeting of the Working Group held on 1 September 2003 be endorsed; and

(2)  referred to Cabinet for consideration and endorsement: -

(i)                   that publicity for book groups be improved via methods outlined by the Working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

Report of the Interim Director of Education.

The Sub-Committee received the report of the Interim Director of Education which sought to provide Members with a summary of the findings of the Inspection of Adult and Community Learning in Harrow and an opportunity to comment on and approve the Post Inspection Action Plan and the Three-Year Development Plan 2003-2006.

The Lifelong Learning and Youth Service Manager advised Members that the Inspection Report was published at the end of May 2003, a summary of which has been attached as Appendix 1; the full report is available to view in the Members’ Library. The Sub-Committee was also asked to note thirty-seven inspection reports on the performance of local authorities have been published, of which Harrow is the only local authority to have received Grade 2 (good) for its Leadership and Management, which is the highest rating achieved so far by any local authority. Members were additionally informed that Harrow also received Grade 2 for Equality of Opportunity.

The Lifelong Learning and Youth Service Manager informed Members that officers were pleased with the outcome of the Inspection Report, which graded eleven areas of work, of which seven were Grade 2 (good), three were Grade 3 (satisfactory) and one was Grade 4 (unsatisfactory). Members were advised that officers were currently working towards further improving the grades, particularly the one area of work classed as Grade 4, which was ‘Hospitality, Sport, Leisure and Travel’. This area will be subject to re-inspection within the next two years.

The Sub-Committee was notified that the Post Inspection Action Plan, produced to address the weaknesses identified in the Inspection Report and to build on its strengths, had been approved by the Adult Learning Inspectorate and will be monitored by the London West Learning and Skills Council.

A Member of the Sub-Committee proposed that officers in Education Services be commended for achieving Grade 2 in seven areas of work. The Chair seconded this proposal, adding that the findings of the report were excellent and that the Sub-Committee would review progress made against targets in the Post Inspection Action Plan at its meeting in July 2004.

The Chair informed Members that she had been approached by Inspectors from the Adult Learning Inspectorate who wished to know whether the Sub-Committee had an Adult Learning ‘Champion’. Members were requested to consider volunteering for this role and notify the Chair following the meeting if they were interested.

RESOLVED: That (1) the Sub-Committee would review progress made against targets in the Post Inspection Action Plan at its meeting in July 2004;

(2)  officers in Education Services be commended for achieving Grade 2 (good) in seven areas of work in the Inspection Report;

(3)  Members consider volunteering for the role of Adult Learning ‘Champion’ and notify the Chair following the meeting if they were interested;

(4)  the report of the Interim Director of Education be noted.

To receive nominations from Members of the Sub-Committee to undertake a visit to Shaftesbury High School, with a view to discussing the transport budget reductions.

The Chair invited Members to volunteer to undertake a visit to Shaftesbury High School to discuss the impact of the special educational needs (SEN) transport budget reductions with parents and teachers. It was agreed that three Members who were present at the meeting and a fourth Member who was absent but who declared an interest in this item, be appointed to undertake the visit to Shaftesbury High School.

The Chair introduced the new Scrutiny Support Officer to Members of the Sub-Committee and requested that the officer set up a meeting between the four Members and the parents and teachers at Shaftesbury High School and report back to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee on 20 January 2004.

RESOLVED: That (1) the following Members undertake the visit to Shaftesbury High School:

(i)             Councillor Mitzi Green

(ii)            Councillor Miss Bednell

(iii)            Councillor John Nickolay

(iv)            Councillor Ismail

(2)  that the Scrutiny Support Officer set up a meeting between the four Members (above) and the parents and teachers at Shaftesbury High School and report back to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.

Endorsement of Scoping Report for the Review.

The Sub-Committee received the scoping report for the Review of Statutory Assessments and Statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN) which outlined the aims and objectives of the review, the measures of success, methodology, assumptions, constraints and timescale of the review.

The Vice Chair referred Members to the pre-scoping session for Members of the Review Group, which was held on 25 September 2003 with the IDeA Consultant, and stated that she found it very helpful in outlining and refining the scope of the review. The Chair seconded the Vice Chair’s comment and requested that the timescale for the review be extended sufficiently for the final review report to be submitted to the meeting of the Sub-Committee in July 2004.

In response to a query from a Member, the Chair clarified that the scope of the review was limited to pupils with special educational needs (SEN) with a Statement issued in the six months prior to November 2003, and that the link between SEN pupils and exclusions would be addressed in the review of exclusions which was being considered for next year.

The Scrutiny Support Officer informed Members that the North West London Trust had provided a health representative to be co-opted onto the review. The Sub-Committee endorsed the co-option of the health representative, Doctor Peter Lachman, and agreed that he be invited to the next full meeting of the Scrutiny Review Group on 3 December 2003.

The Sub-Committee agreed the scoping report for the review, as amended.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the timescale for the review be extended sufficiently for the final review report to be submitted to the meeting of the Sub-Committee in July 2004;

(2)  the health representative, Doctor Peter Lachman, be co-opted onto the review and be invited to the next full meeting of the Scrutiny Review Group on 3 December 2003;

(3)  the scoping report for the Review of Statutory Assessments and Statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN) be agreed, as amended.

Endorsement of Scoping Report for the Review.

The Sub-Committee received the scoping report for the Review of Recruitment and Retention Process for School Governors which outlined the aims and objectives of the review, the measures of success, methodology, assumptions, constraints and timescale of the review.

The Chair confirmed that she and the Vice Chair would be meeting with officers prior to the evidence gathering session for the review, due to take place on 22 October 2003 at 7.30 pm in Harrow High School’s Main Hall. The purpose of this meeting would be to ascertain likely attendance, establish which questions Members would be asking contributors and to finalise details for the event.  Members were requested to send any comments or questions to either the Chair, Vice Chair or Scrutiny Support Officer via email due to the short timescale between the meeting and the evidence gathering session.

In addition, Members were informed that a briefing session would be held at 6.30 pm prior to the evidence gathering session at a separate room within the school. The Chair requested that the Committee Administrator re-issue the flyer promoting the review to all Members of the Council to raise awareness of the evidence gathering session.

The Sub-Committee agreed the scoping report for the review.

RESOLVED: That (1) Members send any comments or questions regarding the evidence gathering session to the Chair, Vice Chair or Scrutiny Support Officer via email;

(2)  all Members of the Sub-Committee be requested to attend the briefing session at 6.30 pm prior to the evidence gathering session at 7.30 pm at Harrow High School;

(3)  the Committee Administrator re-issue the flyer promoting the review to all Members of the Council;

(4)  the scoping report for the Review of Recruitment and Retention Process for School Governors be agreed.

The Sub-Committee received a verbal report from the Committee Administrator which outlined proposals to hold a presentation for Members of the Sub-Committee, the Education Consultative Forum and the Schools Forum on the proposed schools’ budget. Members were informed that in order to streamline the schools budget process and to facilitate the earlier deadline of 31 December 2003 for submissions to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), officers in Education had suggested that a joint presentation be made on the proposals. It was envisaged that questions would be taken at the presentation and that the three bodies would then meet in their separate entities to discuss the proposals and make recommendations for submission to Cabinet.

The Committee Administrator notified Members that it has been proposed that all three bodies receive the presentation on 9th December 2003 and that meetings to discuss the proposals be arranged following the presentation, not necessarily on the same evening. Members were informed that at present officers were experiencing difficulties in finding rooms for the bodies to meet following the presentation and that there were also problems with Member availability. It was noted that presentation and subsequent meetings of the three bodies had to take place between 9 – 11 December 2003 in order to fit in with both statutory and Cabinet’s deadline.

A Member of the Committee stressed that availability of rooms should not be the main consideration and that the availability of Members must be the key driver. The Chair seconded this proposal and added that it was imperative that the Vice Chair be available for the presentation and the subsequent meeting of the Sub-Committee. It was noted that the Vice Chair was unavailable on 9 December 2003.

The Committee Administrator informed Members that they would be advised on progress in finding suitable dates and locations in due course.

RESOLVED: That (1)availability of rooms should not be the main consideration in finding a date for the presentation and subsequent meetings in relation to the proposed schools’ budget and that the availability of Members be the key driver;

(2)  the verbal report from the Committee Administrator be noted.