Agenda item

Purpose of the report: 

To provide an opportunity for scrutiny of the Community Learning and Skills performance for the 2015/16 academic year. The report will also set out the direction of travel for the Service, the national policy considerations, and the opportunities and threats facing the Service.

Witnesses:
Paul Hoffman, Principal, Community Learning and Skills
Anu Chanda, Deputy Principal
Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for Children and Families Wellbeing

Declarations of Interest:

None

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.    The Principal, Community Learning and Skills highlighted that the year 2015/16 had been a positive one for the service, citing that the service had received a Grade two “Good” performance rating from Ofsted, increased the number of adults enrolling on courses, and achieved a 100% pass rate for adults taking GCSE examinations. It was also noted that English and Mathematics courses were proving to be in high demand, but that computing course enrolment had been in decline.

2.    The Principal, Community Learning and Skills pointed out that safeguarding was a core focus for the service, highlighting that the service had recruited a new deputy safeguarding officer. The safeguarding leads were proactively challenging Community Learning Managers to prioritise this aspect of their work. It was noted Ofsted had reported good progress as a result of this, however, it was stressed that this would continue to be an area of focus for the service.

3.    It was highlighted that apprenticeships would be a priority for the service in the coming year. This was a response to the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy scheduled for April 2017. It was noted that the Apprenticeship Levy afforded a positive opportunity for the service to use its expertise more widely..

4.    The Board queried some potential risks, pointing out possible issues with regard to future funding for the service. The Principal, Community Learning and Skills pointed out that there were future risks to funding, but that any specific funding issue would be speculation until any policy changes from the new government were known..

5.    The Principal, Community Learning and Skills informed the Board that apprenticeship progress and monitoring would be included in the Key Performance Indicator report for the 2016/17 academic year and that target setting for the year  would be shared with the Board when it was finalised.

6.    Members queried what the changes would be occurring in the service as a result of Local Commissioning. Officers explained that, as a result of recent changes in central government, the effects to the service in the foreseeable future were difficult to ascertain. However, it was confirmed that Local Commissioning would be a consideration in strategic planning in future years.

7.    Members raised the concern regarding the course charges and whether they represented good value for money for service users. Officers responded to this concern confirming that a balance had to be struck between value for money, course affordability and the service being able to fund itself. It was noted, however, that there was a Hardship Fund of £15,000 per annum in place for those who were unable to afford courses, in an effort to ensure that adults that wished to learn were not excluded. This was in addition to other fee remission offered by the service. It was noted that any excess of the Hardship Fund not utilised returned to the wider corporate budget. The service offered to provide the Board details regarding how the Hardship Fund was utilised.

8.    Members questioned which centres were subject to a short Ofsted inspection in 2016. Officers responded that the Woking, Molesey, Guildford and Camberley were all inspected and found to be providing good quality provision, ensuring that the service was not subject to a full inspection.

9.    The Cabinet Member for Children and Families Wellbeing pointed out that high level strategic plans with regard to the service were being examined by Cabinet with a focus on how the service can support those with learning difficulties and support potential new employees.

10.  The Board questioned what the profits for the service were and if monies generated were utilised to further improve the service. It was responded that £856,000 trading surplus was generated by the service. This was returned to the corporate budget and contributed to the organisations overheads and not held by the Service.

11.  The Deputy Principal highlighted that the service was looking at new ways to deliver its service and that more scope for free courses to improve wellbeing, particularly those with mental health issues, were being planned.

Recommendations:

1.    That the service returns with a high level strategic planning document, considering reducing further risks to the service in furture.

2.    That the service shares its Key Performance Indicators and Target Setting structure for the 2016-17 academic year.

3.    That the service provides the Board information regarding the utilisation of the Hardship Fund in the year 2015/16.