Agenda item

The Cabinet Member will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions.

Councillor Michael Evans, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services addressed the Panel. He spoke of how he had visited a number of establishments since embarking on his role.

Radstock Children’s Centre Advisory Board - He was encouraged by their positive attitude.

First Steps Nursery – He made the visit alongside Ben Howlett MP which he said was enlightening.

Youth Parliament – He said it was interesting to see the interaction between the young people.

Schools Forum - He was pleased to hear Academy Headteachers looking to work collaboratively.

Ensleigh – He viewed plans for the new Primary School and noted that there was no drop off area currently, a lack of trees on the site and that the fencing proposed had a slight prison feel to it.

NUT / ATL Representatives – He said that this was a positive meeting.

He informed the Panel that the new Primary Schools at Somerdale and Ensleigh were due to open in September 2017 and that the competition to sponsor them was due to commence soon.

He said that his career had been in teaching, both in this country and Singapore and that he had independent school experience.

He said that he was concerned that as a Council and as Councillors we are sometimes too reactive.

He said that he would like to introduce some work within schools that encouraged the institution of marriage.

He stated that he was opposed to all ability classes and that he would like to see a system whereby all pupils were able to given an award for work throughout their academic year.

On the matter of Parental Choice / School Autonomy he said that he would like to have some performance figures listed within the brochure for Secondary Schools.

He said that he also wanted to have school information easily available to the public, including Value Added figures.

He stated that Headteachers should be able to control the hiring and dismissal of staff by themselves.

Councillor Liz Hardman offered her congratulations to Councillor Evans on his new role. She asked how the Children’s Centres transition funding was being used and how had these cuts in services affected staff.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that the funding had been used so far to hire some staff on short term contracts, enable some building adaptations and provide training for staff.

He added that in broad terms it had been acknowledged that it had been a difficult time for all parties on this matter, but that now the staff feel comfortable with the current situation.

Councillor Liz Hardman said that in terms of equalities she offered a note of caution on his proposal to focus on marriage. She added that she was aware of schools having their own gifted and talented programmes.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services commented that he would like to see schools introduce a Physical Fitness Leaving Certificate to encourage children to become healthier.

The Chair said that she did not think that services within the Council were solely reactive and that the work of the LSCB shows a focus on intervention and that the Connecting Families shows that a great deal of prevention work takes place. She asked if he had any thoughts on the options paper that had been produced regarding Improving Youth & Community Services to the East of Bath.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services replied that that project was not being advanced at the current time.

Councillor Peter Turner commented that he believed that good communication skills are key for employers these days and should be addressed within school.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for his update.