Agenda item

The Panel will receive a verbal update on this item from the People and Communities Strategic Director.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities addressed the Panel, a copy of his briefing can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book or as an online appendix to these minutes, a summary set out below.

Bath Community Academy (BCA) update:

We continue to be engaged with Cabot Learning Federation to ensure a smooth transition for current pupils and to pick up our responsibilities for the site once the academy closes. Arrangements are being put in place for extension of lease arrangements for sub-tenants as appropriate, for the immediate period following closure of the school. Longer term planning for the site is still at an early stage and more information will be brought to a future Panel meeting as soon as it is available.

Discussions with Schools about the future educational landscape:

We have been continuing to have a constructive dialogue with schools about what the future might hold. In particular we recently hosted an event for head-teachers and chairs of governors of the remaining maintained schools to meet with an officer from the Regional Schools Commissioner’s office. All schools that previously used our HR and payroll service have put new arrangements in place and the majority have already decided to seek alternative meals providers, leading to the decision for the Council to discontinue offering a catering service after the current academic year.

World Social Work Day:

Today (Tuesday 20th March) is World Social Work Day. Launched by the International Federation of Social Workers in 1983, every March World Social Work Day has become a highpoint in the social work calendar with social workers all over the world celebrating and promoting the contributions of the profession to individuals, families, communities and wider society.

Here in Bath and North East Somerset we have a highly skilled and committed workforce of social workers in both children’s and adult services, working tirelessly to protect, support and empower families and individuals across our area, often having to travel further afield, for instance to connect with family members or children in care. They provide wide-ranging support, care and protection to the most vulnerable in society through services from pre-birth right through to end of life care.

The quality of the work of local social work staff was praised in a number of aspects of last year’s Ofsted inspection report.

I would therefore ask the Panel, on this day, to record their recognition and support for the fantastic, dedicated social work workforce in B&NES, who demonstrate immense compassion and commitment to those in need of help, protection or care.

Councillor Paul May thanked the Panel for continuing to keep the issue of BCA live through these meetings as the site is an asset that should be utilised for future use.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien suggested that a future use for the site could be for dedicated SEND provision given the discussion from earlier in the meeting.

The Chair thanked the Strategic Director for People & Communities for his update on behalf of the Panel and also acknowledged the work of our local social work staff.