Agenda item

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

Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People addressed the Panel. A copy of the update can be found on their Minute Book and as an online appendix to these minutes, a summary of the update is set out below.

Academies / Multi-Academy Trusts

Midsomer Norton Primary School became an academy on 1st September and Farmborough CE Primary is working towards a conversion date of 1st November.  We anticipate a number of Primary Schools joining the Bath and Wells Multi-Academy Trust in the spring of 2018 and we know that schools in the Chew Valley area are looking to form a ‘hub’ of the Lighthouse Trust (based in Gordano). As the number of maintained schools reduces (having now fallen below 50% of local schools, hosting less than 40% of pupils) we need to consider the future role of the Local Authority in Education – both in terms of reviewing how we ensure a sustainable supporting infrastructure for the remaining LA schools and how we transition to a role which is less about supporting schools and more about being a champion of parents and vulnerable children. I will be keen to hear all stakeholders’ views as we contemplate those changes.

Swainswick Primary School

I anticipate finalising a Single Member Decision this month to commit a capital project (£723,000) to replace some very poor condition temporary buildings at Swainswick Primary School as we continue to support maintenance and replacement of the poorest condition buildings and to expand and provide new places where necessary.

Camerton School

The consultation on the proposed closure of Camerton School commences this month and the results will be considered by Cabinet in December, allowing time for a decision to be confirmed in time for formal closure in August 2018. With only 7 pupils on roll for September 2017, the remaining pupils are already attending another local school within the same federation.

Children’s Centres

I visited Parkside Children’s Centre in August to understand the issues with the building and the views of service users about the proposals to relocate the service to another site. A Single Member Decision on relocation is expected this month. We are hoping that the current Youth Offending Service offices at 12 Charlotte Street, adjacent to Parkside, can be made suitable to bring the Children’s Centre together with the Family Intervention Service from 117 Newbridge Hill in a better facility than either of them currently occupies. Youth Offending Service staff would be hosted in other Council offices and continue to see young people flexibly in a range of local venues as they do now.

I have also agreed to proposals for the future management of a number of other Children’s Centres, reducing our overhead costs in line with the previously agreed direction of travel.

Schools Forum

He reported that the funding for Mental Health Support within schools had reduced from £58,000 in 2015/16 to £50,000 in 2016/17 and that he would be interested in finding out the proposed allocation for 2017/18.

He informed the Panel that a policy report considering the Medical Need of Schools was discussed and wondered if this was something the Panel should at least have sight of.

He explained that it appeared that the Government had decided upon a shift of position with regard to funding arrangements for schools. He said that no reduction would be made and that funding would be capped with an increase of 0.5%. He stated that the final decision in relation to funding would be given by the Schools Forum and that some schools may receive a further 0.5% for SEND.

Home to School Transport

He said that a review of Home to School Transport was due to take place and that it would be important for the Panel to see the outcomes of it.

Disadvantaged Children

He said that he had approached the University of Bath and Bath College to discuss effectively engaging with them more and in particular assessing what provision can be made through both organisations for disadvantaged children.

YMCA Nightstop

He wished to highlight to the Panel this overnight foster service. He explained that it provides emergency temporary accommodation for young people aged 16-25. He added that the scheme is looking for further hosts and would welcome suggestions of how this could be promoted.

Councillor Matt Cochrane suggested that all schools be emailed regarding the scheme and the need for further hosts.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she agreed that the future role of the Local Authority in Education needs to be addressed and that she felt that schools were looking for input from the Council and suggested whether a loose federation was worth investigating.

Councillor Paul May said this issue was also on his agenda to discuss with the Universities as to the possibility of them providing some support to schools.

The Head of Education Transformation added that by Summer 2018 there could be just five schools that are not connected to a Multi-Academy Trust.

Councillor Peter Turner asked if the Council had considered using the Prince’s Trust for helping young people to find a job, provide support for starting a business or getting into further education and training.

Councillor Paul May replied that he would be interested to hear more about the work of the Prince’s Trust. He added that the Metro Mayor would be accountable for the funding of Adult Education, Levels 1 & 2.

Councillor Lizzie Gladwin said that she could provide the Cabinet Member with contact details of a widening participation group that targets disadvantaged young people and those that feel that university is not right for them.

Councillor Paul May replied that he would welcome receiving those details.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for his update on behalf of the Panel.