Meeting documents

143 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

144 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

The Chair(person) drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda

145 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty declared a non-prejudicial interest in Item 10 as governor of Widcombe Infant School.

Councillor Hanney declared a non-prejudicial interest in Item 11 as Chair of the Primary Care Trust (PCT), as one of the sites mentioned in the report at Item 11 is St John's Court and the PCT has also looked at this site.

146 TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIR(PERSON)

There was none.

147 QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

The following people had given the appropriate notice of their request to ask a question of an Executive Councillor. The text of the questions and responses is contained in a Q&A document which is attached to the minutes electronically, once finalised.

Mr Chris Metcalfe asked a question regarding the responses to the consultation on the Keynsham School Review. Councillor Jonathan Gay responded.

Councillor Caroline Roberts asked a question regarding the Local Transport Plan Capital Programme. Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins responded.

148 STATEMENTS, DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

All the statements made are referred to within the main agenda item below.

149 MINUTES: WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2004

On a motion from Councillor Todd, seconded by Councillor O'Flaherty, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 3rd March 2004 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person).

150 CONSIDERATION OF SINGLE MEMBER ITEMS NOW REQUISITIONED TO COUNCIL EXECUTIVE (Report 9).

There were no such items on this occasion.

151 A REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH & CENTRAL BATH AREA (Report 10).

The following people had given the appropriate notice of their request to make a statement to the Council Executive:

Monty Erskine made a statement regarding Swainswick School. (A copy of this statement has been placed on the Minute book).

Louise Cripps made a statement regarding Swainswick School. (A copy of this statement has been placed on the Minute book).

Robert Shackell made a statement in support of Swainswick School.

Anna Grayson made a statement regarding Swainswick School. (A copy of this statement has been placed on the Minute book).

K Jarvis made a statement regarding St Swithins School. (A copy of this statement has been placed on the Minute book).

Councillor Tony Cox made a statement regarding Swainswick School. (A copy of this statement has been placed on the Minute book).

The Chair asked if there was anyone present who also wished to speak on this item, the following people made short statements:

Rev'd Kopsch (Rector at Walcot Parish Church) made a statement in support of Swainswick School.

Councillor Gerry Curran (Chair of Governors - Parkside Infant School) made a statement in support of Parkside Infant School.

Ms Kelsall made a statement in support of Swainswick School.

Adrian Feeney made a statement in support of Swainswick School.

The Chair invited Councillor Andy Furse (Chair of the Education, Youth, Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel) to address the Council Executive:

Councillor Furse thanked everyone that had made contributions to the Panel's Review. He stated that the Panel recommendations sought to address the problem of surplus places in this cluster and that the recommendations covered a mixture of types of schools and issues. He further stated that the Panel felt that three schools - St Swithin's CE Infant, Parkside Infant and Swainswick CE Primary - should be taken to consultation.

Councillor Jonathan Gay introduced this report and addressed some of the points raised by public submissions; he stated that what are referred to as `large' schools in this area (schools of 300/400 pupils) are not uncommon for the rest of the country. Also, that while Swainswick is classed as a rural school, it is not rural when compared to schools in Scotland, for example, Swainswick is 2/3 miles from the city centre. Regarding the housing development on Bailbrook Lane, Swainswick would not be the closest school. Councillor Gay referred to the appendices of the report and made points regarding the cost per pupil and the educational standards.

Councillor Paul Crossley, in seconding the report, thanked everyone for making contributions at the meeting and also thanked Councillor Andy Furse for the comprehensive and thorough review that his Overview and Scrutiny Panel had carried out. He explained the review process that would be carried out on a four year cycle by school `clusters'. He endorsed the recommendations that he felt addressed many issues.

Councillor Francine Haeberling stated that it was important that this review was undertaken, as the Council had to act on the surplus places issue. She endorsed the recommendations.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney welcomed the extensive reviews and acknowledged that it was a difficult process but that the Executive had to take difficult decisions. He stated that there were significant surplus places in this cluster and often the pressure to undertake reviews came from schools who had concerns regarding the balance of funding. He thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for their work.

Councillor Colin Darracott asked that the consultation process be explained; - the Education Officer explained that there would be a period of public consultation, then public notices issued for two months and if any objections were received, it would be taken to the School Organisation Committee (SOC). If the SOC did not agree unanimously on the issue, it would go to the School Adjudicator. Councillor Darracott also responded to the reference to Western Riverside which had been raised earlier in the meeting.

Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins explained his background in education and stated that, realistically, a small school could not offer the range of teaching experience that a large school could. He stated that the change in St John's Catholic Primary School standard number may have to be reconsidered in the future. He thanked all involved with this review and explained that justice and reasonableness was the aim.

Councillor Rosemary Todd felt that the Council should seek to sustain rural schools and it was important to examine the viability of Swainswick School.

Councillor Paul Crossley confirmed that all submissions had been considered.

Rationale for the Decision

The process through which further consultation options have been identified is a robust and transparent process.

Examination of the potential to create all-through primary schools is consistent with the stated aims of the Council.

The relatively high number and proportion of potentially surplus places and the relatively high unit costs at Parkside Infant, St Swithin's CE Infant and Swainswick CE Primary School requires examination.

The Council supports the efforts of the Governors of St John's Catholic Primary School and the Clifton Catholic Diocesan Schools Commission to replace and relocate the school to a single site.

Other Options Considered

The option to take no action has been considered. However, this would be inconsistent with the declared objectives of the Council and may breach the general requirement to use resources in an effective way.

On a motion from Councillor Jonathan Gay, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To note the work of the Education, Youth, Culture & Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel and their views and recommendations which are included in the report at Section 4.11 - 4.32 inclusive;

(2) To confirm that the aims of the Review remain;

(a) Improving educational standards,

(b) Ensuring that resources (land, buildings, funding and people) are used in the most effective way,

(c) Delivering improved access to high quality facilities to children, school staff and the wider community, and

(d) Making the choice of a local school a natural and easy choice for parents;

(3) To agree that a fundamental reorganisation of primary school provision is required in this area;

(4) To agree that no action is necessary in relation to Bathwick St Mary's CE Primary School, St Andrew's CE Primary School or St Stephen's CE Primary School;

(5) To authorise the Education Director to initiate a consultation exercise during the Summer Term regarding the closure of St Swithin's CE Infant School;

(6) To authorise the Education Director to initiate a consultation exercise during the Summer Term regarding the closure of Swainswick CE Primary School;

(8) To authorise the Education Director to initiate a consultation exercise during the Summer Term regarding the closure of Parkside Infant School;

(9) To instruct officers to seek to identify a site in the general locality of Larkhall in Bath, which might serve as a location for a new all-through primary school as a replacement of St Saviour's CE Infant School and St Saviour's CE Junior School, and to look at options for improving the present buildings on these sites and to bring a report to a future meeting when this had been achieved or by November 3rd 2004, whichever is the earlier;

(10) To agree that discussions should take place with the Diocese of Bath & Wells Board of Education regarding the desirability and practicality of creating a new all-through primary school from the `amalgamation' of Widcombe Infant School and Widcombe CE Junior School and to report the outcome of these discussions to the Executive by March 31 2005; and

(11) To confirm that the replacement on a single site of St John's Catholic Primary School is essential in order to ensure that pupils are taught in satisfactory buildings with access to all necessary and desirable educational facilities and that the replacement school should offer no more than 315 places.

152 THE FUTURE OF KEYNSHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL AND TEMPLE PRIMARY SCHOOL, KEYNSHAM (Report 11).

Mr Mark Hyde (Governor at Temple School) made a statement regarding the Keynsham School Review (A copy of this statement has been placed on the Minute book).

Councillor Charles Gerrish made a statement, thanking Education officers and the Executive for carrying out a detailed and welcome review.

Councillor Jonathan Gay introduced the report and explained that the consultation would be wide and far reaching. He thanked all those that contributed to the Review.

Rationale for the Decision

A majority of consultees agree with the Council and favour the establishment of a new school.

Other Options Considered

Officers considered the possibility of addressing the concerns of consultees associated with Temple Primary School, initially through further discussion with the Governors. However, it is the view of the Officers involved in the consultation meetings held so far that the opposition to a new school at Kelston Road is so deeply felt that such an exercise would prove fruitless.

Officers considered retaining Keynsham Primary School as it stands. Officers believe that this option offers no possibility of meeting the immediate, medium or long-term objectives of the Review. Educational standards can, no doubt, be maintained but, in view of the fact that no significant additional housing is planned in the Keynsham area for the remainder of this decade, and that there is no evidence that there will be a sharp increase in the birth rate, there is no prospect of the number of unfilled places at the school being reduced. In all likelihood, numbers at the school will continue to decline. The facilities available to the school are less than ideal for the delivery of the modern curriculum and offer little opportunity for community use. Furthermore, in the context of community cohesion, it is the case that for various reasons, a significant number of local children do not attend this school.

The possibility of a complete closure of Keynsham Primary School formed part of the original consultation exercise and was not considered further by Officers.

The possibility of a complete closure of Temple Primary School formed part of the original consultation exercise and was not considered further by Officers.

In summing up, Councillor Jonathan Gay stated that if the St John's site did not prove suitable, it would not mean going back to the beginning.

On a motion from Councillor Jonathan Gay, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was:

(1) To note the responses received during the consultation exercise;

(2) To note that there is extremely limited support for the closure of either Keynsham Primary School or Temple Primary School and the redistribution of pupils to other schools in the area and reject this option;

(3) To welcome the widespread support for the creation of a new school. This is the Executive's preferred option;

(4) To note the divided response regarding the choice of a site for any new school;

(5) To agree, in principle, that both schools should close and a new school be established; and

(6) To agree that any publication of statutory proposals will await the outcome of further exploration regarding the benefits and disadvantages of the two sites most favoured by consultees, namely Kelston Road and St John's Court and further mandatory consultation.

153 BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PARTNERSHIP - PROGRESS & PRIORITIES (Report 12).

Councillor Malcolm Hanney introduced the report and explained that a supplementary report by HBS had been circulated. He explained that the relationship with HBS was an opportunity for the Council to change business processes and deliver better services to residents.

Councillor Rosemary Todd stated that she welcomed the work scheduled with Planning and Development Control, as the services and processes needed to be streamlined in this area. She looked forward to planning applications being able to be completed online as this was an important part of how the public view the Council.

Rationale for the decision

The Partnership Board has reviewed the project review and PWC reports and has concluded that transition is largely complete, and that the Paris project can be closed. It considers that the transfer of services to HBS has been seamless and successful. Governance arrangements have been established and are working reasonably well. The Board however acknowledges that the partnership, as a "new" initiative, has yet to be as well integrated into the Council's day-to-day working as had been hoped, and that the Business Improvement Service is still at an early stage of development. Specific issues raised by PWC regarding the progress of the "Peoplelink" project were already being addressed by the Council's HR Service and HBS and the Board considers that considerable progress has been made in making the project robust.

A key action is to prepare a joint 3-year partnership plan. This piece of work will be undertaken through the spring and summer 2004 for completion and approval by the Council Executive and HBS Board in the autumn. While the plan will have short-term deliverables, it will focus on the medium-term development of the partnership over the period 2004 - 2007 (the remainder of the Council's corporate plan period). In the meantime, in order to provide focus and direction, the Partnership Board have agreed initial priorities for the Business Improvement Service for 2004/05.

The priorities for the Business Improvement Service are derived from the Council's corporate plan, in which the BIS is recognised as a key tool for organisational development.

Other Options Considered

This is not relevant as the report details the progress of the project to date.

In summing up, Councillor Malcolm Hanney stated that service and resource plans were being finalised and the development group would be looking at prioritisation.

On a motion from Councillor Malcolm Hanney, seconded by Councillor Colin Darracott, it was:

(1) To note the progress made on the Business Improvement Partnership, including the findings of the Council's external auditor;

(2) To endorse the transition review report and the closure of the transition phase;

(3) To approve the summary action plan at Appendix 2;

(4) To endorse the joint Partnership Board's agreed mission and objectives for the Partnership, against which future progress will be measured;

(5) To endorse the Partnership Board's priorities for the Business Improvement Service for 2004/05 (section 6.3 of the report).

154 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN (Report 13).

Councillor Colin Darracott introduced the report.

Rationale for the decision

The recommendations take full advantage of the freedoms allowed by the Council's CPA rating of `Good' and enable a more concise Performance Plan to be published, with references to the published Corporate Plan.

Other Options Considered

A Performance Plan similar to previous years could be published, but this would not take full advantage of the freedoms allowed nor would we take advantage of linking the Performance Plan to the Corporate Plan.

On a motion from Councillor Colin Darracott, seconded by Councillor Malcolm Hanney, it was

RESOLVED

(1) That the new guidance outlined in Appendix A to the report be noted and that Council be requested to agree a modification to the Council's Annual Performance Plan; and

(2) That delegated authority be give to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Group Leaders, to produce the final plan by the end of June.

155 PSA PERFORMANCE REPORT (Report 14).

Councillor Darracott introduced the report and explained that it was important that all Executive members review PSA targets within their portfolio.

Rationale for the decision

The PSA is an important source of extra funding for the Council and the regular reporting of progress allows the early identification of areas of concern.

Other Options Considered

None.

On a motion from Councillor Darracott, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED that the progress reported in Appendix A to the report be noted.

156 THE 4 MONTHLY PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR HOUSING & SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES (Report 15).

On a motion from Councillor Vic Pritchard, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was:

RESOLVED that the report be noted.