Issue - meetings

Councillor Subedar will give a presentation on Education and Lifelong Learning and also submits a report on proposals for a new division of Education and Lifelong Learning in the Education Department.  The Cabinet is asked to  endorse the statement of aims, mission and principles for the new Division; approve the timescale for the establishment of the new Division’s services and the ongoing review of its facilities, services and management arrangements; and approve the proposed structure for the management of the new Division.  The comments of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee will be reported to the meeting.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report introducing the proposals for the new division for Lifelong Learning and Community Development in the Education Department.  The Director of Education also gave a presentation on the proposals.

The views of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee had been circulated and Councillor Subedar also reported that the Education Partnership Board had endorsed the proposals and the comments of Scrutiny.

Written submissions by UNISON, GMB, NATFHE and the Highfields Association of Residents and Tenants had been circulated to the Cabinet and  Mr. Kim Thorrington of the GMB union also addressed the Cabinet on behalf of all three unions and amplified the points made in his written submission.

It was noted that this was the beginning of a process and the Cabinet would take on board all the concerns and comments raised and gave assurances that consultation and discussion would continue.  The proposals in the report gave direction to the re-organisation that had already been agreed in principle but did not prevent work on the details from continuing.

The Director gave assurances in response to Members' concerns as follows:-

-     that there were no proposals to close any neighbourhood centres or interfere with current users' activities or centre opening times;

-      opportunities for the necessary training for neighbourhood centre managers would be made available;

-     the recreational side of  play would be maintained.

The Director also agreed to bring a report back to Cabinet on youth provision across the City.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the statement of aims, mission and principles for the new Division as a basis for developing a strategic Community Learning Plan and a series of Community Learning Plans for each cluster in the City, be endorsed;

(2)that the timescale for the establishment of the new Division's services and the ongoing review of its facilities, services and management arrangements be approved;

(3)that the proposed structure for the management of the new Division and the associated post-filling arrangements be approved;

(4)that officers be requested to establish a City-wide Lifelong Learning and Community Development Forum;

(5)that the Cabinet's commitment to meaningful and active ongoing consultation with all stakeholders be confirmed;

(6)that the implications for capital funding be noted;

(7)that it be confirmed that the future funding for Lifelong Learning and Community Development was for future consideration by Members as part of the budget process;

(8)that the role of neighbourhood centres in Lifelong Learning and Community Development be recognised;

(9)that the Council's equalities policies and practices be strictly adhered to throughout the post filling process;

(10)that the Cabinet's commitment to quality assurance and performance management between the centre and the clusters be confirmed; and

(11)that the Director of Education submit a further report to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity, on youth provision across the City.