Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR EDUCATION

PART I

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PANELS

1. The Executive Member has considered Terms of Reference for the two Standing Advisory Panels established by the County Council in September, in order to advise him on Schools Monitoring and Youth matters.

2. With regard to Schools Monitoring, the role of the former Schools Monitoring Sub-Committee needs to be expanded following the Ofsted inspection report of Hampshire County Council as Local Education Authority, which recommended that elected members should be given more information about overall performance of schools in Hampshire. The aim therefore is to make sure that the Panel has sufficient data to fulfil its role in terms of the strategic oversight of schools and the work of the Education Department. Updated terms of reference are therefore set out below.

3. With regard to Youth, the role of the former Youth Service Sub-Committee similarly needs to be expanded to range more widely over matters relating to youth and young people, rather than just the Youth Service. Revised terms of reference are therefore set out below, together with a recommended change of name.

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That the terms of reference of the Schools Monitoring Panel be approved as follows:


(i) To review the situation at schools identified as having serious weaknesses or being in need of special measures, to consider the circumstances leading to any schools being so designated, to assess the Action Plan for overcoming the school's deficiencies, to monitor progress and to make recommendations as appropriate.


(ii) To review the possible appointment of additional governors and/or the suspension of a school's right to a delegated budget and to make recommendations as appropriate.


(iii) To monitor the performance of schools generally, to assess performance data on schools' standards and results; to consider ways in which schools may further improve their performance and the support being provided by the Education Department towards that end, and to make recommendations as appropriate.


(iv) To monitor and evaluate the progress of the Education Development Plan 2002-2007.


2. That the terms of reference of the Youth Panel be approved as set out below:


(i) To provide a focus for cross-departmental policy for young people to ensure co-ordinated development across the County Council in response to their needs, to advise on the means whereby young people can be involved in the development of such policies and to make recommendations as appropriate.


(ii) To provide a forum for consultation with users of and partners in the Youth Service, notably District Councils, young people and the Hampshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services, to advise on the development of policies for joint working and to make recommendations where appropriate.


(iii) Preparation of the Development Plan and other policies for the Youth Service.


(iv) Detailed matters referred to them on the Youth Service budget and other specific youth projects.


(v) Criteria for the allocation of grants to voluntary youth organisations, levels of delegation to officers, and any specific grants referred to them for advice.


3. That the Youth Service Panel be renamed the Youth Panel with immediate effect.

D.G. Allen
Executive Member for Education

8FR151101