Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th November 2014 were agreed and signed as a true record. There were no matters arising.

Report of the Executive Director, People

To consider the above petition, bearing 246 signatures, which has been submitted by Councillor Sawdon, a Wainbody Ward Councillor, who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item along with the petition organiser.

The Cabinet Member for Education considered a report of the Executive Director of People that responded to a petition that had been received, bearing 446 signatures and organised by a Wainbody Ward resident and sponsored by Councillor Sawdon, requesting that the Council re-consider making cuts to Finham Library. Councillor Sawdon and the Wainbody Ward resident, and petition organiser, attended the meeting and spoke in support of the petition. Councillor Crookes, a Wainbody Ward Councillor, also attended the meeting for this item.

The petition organiser outlined the concerns of local residents should the Finham Library close indicating that the Library had become a community facility that offered more than the usual library services. For many residents it had become a meeting place, an opportunity to engage in group sessions and activities such as ‘Knit and Natter’ and the Play Reading Group, and for reading the daily newspapers, and for some it offered the only contact they had with other residents. The Library was a very well used Community Building with a variety of activities and events for all ages that the local residents were keen to retain in their area.  

The report indicated that the City Council currently operated a Library Service comprising Central Library plus 16 community libraries, a mobile service and an at home service. Finham Library, located in Finham Green Road, was one of the City’s long-standing Community Libraries. As a result of reducing resources from cuts to Council finances made by Central Government, the Local Authority had decided that all Council services would be reviewed with a view to identifying the most efficient way of delivering services, particularly those that protect the most vulnerable. There was currently no proposal to change the configuration of library services in the City. The way in which library provision was provided across the City may be considered within service reviews and at this formative stage, and prior to any decisions being made, a full consultation exercise would be undertaken.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Education notes the petition and agrees that the petition organisers, other interested local residents and relevant officers and Elected Members, be invited to form a consultation group to discuss proposals for the future of the Finham Community Library, for formal consultation.

Report of the Executive Director, People

To consider the above petition, bearing 223 signatures, which has been submitted by a resident of Wyken Ward who, as petition organiser, has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member for Education considered a report of the Executive Director of People that responded to a petition that had been received, bearing 223 signatures and organised by a Wyken Ward resident, requesting that following the expansion of Clifford Bridge Primary School in September 2014, a ramp be installed connecting the Key Stage 1(KS1) and Key Stage 2(KS2) playgrounds. The Wyken Ward resident, and petition organiser, attended the meeting and spoke in support of the petition.

The petition organiser indicated that thecurrent arrangements werenot sufficient toaccommodate the communityneedsor toenable pupilsin thedifferentkeystages toget intoclassrooms ontime asparents and carers could not safelyaccessboth KS1 and KS2 playgrounds withoutalong divertaround theexterior ofthe school perimeter. The external works of thenew buildhad createda hazardous situation that had already resulted in anaccident. Theproposed alternativearrangements did not fulfil the original buildbrief had created additionalhazards byblocking emergencyescape routesand requiringsignificant trafficflow throughor rounda carpark where there waslittlespaceto negotiatepushchairs.

The report indicated that the new building was now occupied and fully operational and all the school buildings were on the same level, however, the playing field and the KS1 playground were at a higher level. Access to the upper KS1 playground was through the building or externally by using steps or a pedestrian gate from Bracadale Close.  The cost of a new ramp had been estimated in the region of £50,000, but this would be dependent upon whether contaminated materials were found in the ground.

The Cabinet Member considered the existing infrastructure and access arrangements and the options to address the issues for parents and carers with pushchairs who needed to access different parts of the school when dropping off or collecting pupils. The Cabinet Member noted that it was anticipated that the school population would continue to grow by 30 extra pupils a year for the next 4 years.

The Cabinet Member agreed that the option to create an alternative path around the school, as shown in Appendix 2 to the report, would provide another route to the left hand side of the school building from the main school entrance giving a level access linking the main entrance with the Key Stage 1 and Foundation stage external area. The proposal was easily achievable with minimal risk and disruption. 

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Education notes the petition and agree to measures to improve the pedestrian circulation around Clifford Bridge School grounds, as recommended in Option 2 of the report.

Report of the Executive Director, People

The Cabinet Member for Education considered a report of the Executive Director for People that detailed the outcomes of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Key Stage 1 (KS1), Key Stage 2 (KS2), Key Stage 4 (KS4), and Key Stage 5 (KS5) and recommended priorities for improvement at each Key Stage.

The report had also been considered by the Education and Childrens Services Scrutiny Board (2) at their meeting on 8^th January 2015, who note the information contained in the report and the implications for the Local Authority, endorsed the key priorities for further improvements in standards and achievement in Coventry schools and academies, and had not further recommendations or comments for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Education.

The report has been completed using the latest data available at December 2014, data for EYFS and KS1 having been finalised in October 2014 and August 2014 respectively and KS2 data having been published in the form of national performance tables by the Department for Education on 11th December 2014. In Coventry for 2014 a 1% point change represented approximately 43 children in a cohort of 4293 at EYFS, 42 of 4181 at KS1, 37 of 3705 at KS2, and 34 out 3433 at KS4.

The Cabinet Member thanked the Head of Education Standards and Improvements, his Data Team and Advisors, for the clarity and depth of this detailed report.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Education endorses the evaluation of EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS4 and KS5 outcomes for 2014 and approves the key priorities for the 2014-15 improvement cycle outlined in the report.

Report of the Executive Director, People

Resolved that, having met the Local Authority criteria for the appointment of Local Authority school governors, the Cabinet Member approves the appointment and re-appointment of the persons listed below for the schools and terms of office indicated:-

Authority Governor: New Appointments

Authority Governor: Re-Appointments

Report of the Executive Director, Resources

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member notes a report of the Executive Director of Resources that identifies an issue on which a further report is requested and is outstanding, so that progress can be monitored.

Any other items of public business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of public business.