Agenda item

The Committee received the Education & Children’s Services departmental business plan 2021/22 which indicated how the service supports the delivery of the Corporate Strategy.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the plan presented was an abbreviated version without the review section as this was covered in the service COVID-19 Impact Assessments previously submitted to the Committee for consideration.

It was noted that the impact of the pandemic and Brexit created a lot of uncertainty in future planning and consequently the business plan was subject to change.

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

·         Reference was made to the table on page 51 of the agenda pack and officers were asked why there was no mention of the environment as surely there were impacts for the department e.g. Safe Routes to School.  The Executive Board Member stressed that the environment is an important factor in education.  The Director explained that the relevant boxes are only ticked if there is a dedicated action for the department in the Wellbeing Plan.  The department does contribute towards many aspects of environmental work within our schools.  He added that he would liaise with relevant officers regarding the reporting of that particular objective, including the key actions and measures;

·         Reference was made to the statement in the plan that post 16 provision will be reviewed in order to create a sustainable provision and concern was expressed that this suggested that the provision does not currently exist.  The Director explained that a review of post 16 provision available was undertaken when it became apparent that the numbers in the 6^th form in some schools are not sustainable and cannot therefore offer the range of subjects required.  The Head of Curriculum & Wellbeing added that post 16 provision is a key area as it provides the transition from statutory education to further education to the workplace and a lot of work is being done in this area.  A report will be presented to the Committee on this subject in the near future;

·         Reference was made to the ability of communities to use school facilities and the challenges involved and officers were asked what progress has been made with the model agreement.  The Head of Access to Education explained that with regard to making best use of facilities to support wider community activity, officers were currently trying to make sure that there are appropriate leases in place to protect both the schools and the Local Authority;  

·         Reference was made to the fact that some concerns have previously been raised with regard to the terms in relation to the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) and officers were asked if the Committee would be receiving an update addressing those concerns.  The Head of Access to Education explained that any project identified for MIM would need approval and would be reported to the Scrutiny Committee;

·         With regard to the Children’s Services Divisional Plan, reference was made to the fact that the percentages included in the report don’t actually provide any information.  The Director explained that they are not actions but rather statutory targets which are reported to WG on a regular basis.  He added that the targets are used for measures so it was just a formatting issue which he would ensure is addressed;

·         Concern was expressed over the various risk elements referred to within the report and the fact that the Committee should look into these in detail over the next few months. The Director explained that there was a departmental risk report and there were safeguards in place to acknowledge and address those risks. He added that he could share this document with the Committee if they so wished;

·         With regard to the review to be undertaken of all school admission dates and age ranges, officers were asked if they are happy that the capacity is in place to undertake this review. The Head of Access to Education explained that he is currently preparing a proposal report for consideration by the Departmental Management Team to look at a number of options.  Consultation on any proposed revisions to the Admissions Policy will be undertaken next year.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Education & Children Departmental Business Plan 2021/22 be received.