Owlerton/Southey Green Area Panel Minutes 26th May 2005

OWLERTON/SOUTHEY GREEN AREA PANEL

Meeting held 26th May, 2005

at Colley working Men’s Club, Margetson Crescent

PRESENT: Councillors Gill Furniss (Chair) and Leigh Bramall.

Also in attendance:-

Mark Peat	-	Head of Education Planning and Development and Lead Manager
Val Hughes	-	Sheffield Libraries
Vicky Taylor	-	Forward and Area Planning
Andy Wier	-	Area Co-ordinator
Matthew Rush	-	Area Support Officer
Andy Cain	-	Committee Secretariat
Lynne Hilson	-	Sheffield Futures
Helen White	-	Activity Sheffield
Pat Salmon	-	Parson Cross Forum
Anita Nadin	-	Sheffield Homes
Paul Howard	-	Parkwood High School
Chris Mallaband	-	LEA/Parkwood High School
Janet Charlton	}
Lesley Tomlinson	}	“Learning Together” Education Action Zone
Ann-Marie Clark	}
Penny Rea	-	“Together We Can” Education Action Zone
Steve Robinson	-	Chaucer School

20 other members of the public attended the meeting, including representatives of community organisations and Panel partners.

………………….

1.	APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
	The Panel noted that Councillor Gill Furniss had been appointed as Chair of the Panel at the Annual Council meeting held 18th May, 2005.

2.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Steve Jones and Chris Weldon.

3.	LEAD MANAGER
	The Chair introduced Mark Peat, who had recently replaced Isobel Riley as the Lead Manager for the Panel. Councillor Furniss welcomed Mr. Peat to the meeting and thanked Isobel Riley for the work she had undertaken on behalf of the Panel.
	Mark Peat commented that he had commenced employment with the City Council approximately 12 months ago and had welcomed his appointment as Lead Manager. He went on to give details of his previous employment experience.

4.	EDUCATION IN THE OWLERTON/SOUTHEY GREEN AREA
	Mark Peat gave an overview of the work undertaken by the Local Education Authority (LEA) in the Panel area, particularly with regard to the planning of school places, new school developments and the maintenance of school premises.
	As part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme Chaucer School was undergoing a rebuild and refurbishment, at a cost of £8.5m, which would be completed by September, 2006. This was in addition to the £6m already invested at Parkwood High School. There were a number of other proposals which included a new primary school for Shirecliffe, based on the Busk Meadow site, with a new Children’s Centre and Community Hub, the merger of the Southey Green Schools with effect from September, 2006 and two new special schools on Sheffield College site.
	Mr. Peat then raised a number of other issues which included the future of the Halifax Road site which was envisaged to be a mixed use of retail and housing. There needed to be a review of the potential demand for primary school places in the area in light of the redevelopment work on the cleared sites. The maintenance of schools was vital and whilst the BSF Programme dealt with secondary schools there was no extra funding for primary schools so it was intended to operate a three year maintenance cycle to tackle the schools in the poorest condition first, with Hartley Brook School undergoing work during the summer of 2005. As part of the Extended Schools initiative there was to be further development of early years provision, with more childcare available and improved engagement with children and families, which would see schools open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This was part of a strategy to ensure that services for children and families were better tailored to community needs.

	Mr. Peat then responded to the following questions:-

Q	Walter Bagshaw, on behalf of the Dryden and Kyle Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (DAKTARA), asked why the Lindsay Road School had been closed, as it had caused pressure on places at Southey Green School?

A.	Mark Peat indicated that he was not aware of the specifics of this closure but, as a general rule, school closures were implemented where insufficient demand for places at a particular school made it unviable, and there was sufficient alternative provision in the locality. However, this was a complex issue and the LEA’s Planning and Development Team undertook detailed work to assess demand across the City in the Primary, Secondary and Special Educational Needs sectors, to ensure there was a close correlation between the provision and demand for school places. The outcome of this work was set out in the annual School Organisation Plan which could be viewed on the City Council’s website. He indicated that he would investigate the issue raised and report back to Walter Bagshaw with the outcome.

Q	Tom Moore, on behalf of Margetson Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, asked how the demand for future provision was assessed, particularly with regard to new housing developments?

A	Mark Peat indicated that there was a great deal of computer modelling undertaken but essentially joint work was undertaken between the Education and Neighbourhoods Directorates to consider new housing developments and the possible impact on school places. Joint working was also undertaken with the Health Bodies, particularly with regard to statistical information about births in an area, which was all used to assess demand for provision. Major housing developments could result in the developer being required to provide funds to carry out enlargement work at the local school to meet demand and there was a ratio used, for general guidance, which indicated how many children were likely to be requiring school places in each year group.

Q	Mike Bower, on behalf of DAKTARA, asked what types of activity were being considered for the Extended Schools initiative?

A	Mark Peat indicated that the vision was to look at provision for all age groups, form pre-birth to pensioners. He cited the development at the Shirecliffe Community Hub as the type of model for the future and stated that further consultation on this initiative would be undertaken in the near future.

	The Panel thanked Mark Peat and noted the information given.

5.	EDUCATION ISSUES IN PARSON CROSS
	Pat Salmon, Manager of the Parson Cross Community Development Forum, gave a presentation and sought responses about the relationships between schools, Social Services, Youth Services, Community Services and the residents aged 14-19 in the area. He indicated that whilst the majority of the issues he was to raise had been discussed at a strategic level by Heads of Service, it was not clear what impact they would have on the area’s young residents, their parents and the community at large.
	He believed that the main concern was whether a centralised service, incorporating Education, Youth Services, Social Services and the Careers Guidance Service, would meet the demands for localised, accessible and targeted resources that recognised the economic hardship of the community, tailored to meet the specific needs of its residents and offering the best opportunity for young people to achieve their potential.
	He particularly sought responses on how the following issues were being addressed and the impact they would have on the young people living in Parson Cross: -

	· The ‘Every Child Matters’ initiative and the agenda for the integration of Children’s Services;

	· Raising levels of educational achievement;

	· The Careers Guidance services and the relationships with present and future economic development activity. Pat Salmon cited the fact that 15% of 14-19 year olds living in Parson Cross had been excluded from school, which was the second highest level in the City, and that 17.4% of Under 19s were not in education, employment or training. He also referred to the expected levels of achievement set out in the Government’s guidance and asked whether these were realistic. He expressed concern about an employment opportunity advertised on the Connexions website which offered an hourly rate of only £2.30.

	· Extended Schools and the services and opportunities that the Building Schools for the Future Programme at Chaucer and Yewlands would provide for the community. Pat Salmon recognised that the area’s schools were a real asset and there was a need to engage the local community in using them as a community resource;

	· Concerns about youth nuisance

	· How would the changing priorities and resources be used to improve the opportunities for the young people of the area to (a) develop their skills and confidence to have their voice heard both collectively through democratic processes and as individual citizens and consumers; (b) engage in a wide range of recreational activities in good quality facilities; (c) meet other young people socially in places which related to their current interests; (d) study in places other than school and home; (e) contribute to living in a safe, clean and pleasant environment; (f) undertake work experience, volunteer work and fund raising, (g) receive advice, guidance and support in respect of a wide range of personal matters; (h) obtain information on all the aforementioned issues and (i) be involved regardless of ethnicity, disability , sexual orientation, religion and gender.

	Andy Wier circulated an updated copy of the Education and Employment section of the Panel’s Area Action Plan and referred particularly to the Review of Sheffield Futures Youth Provision report submitted by Lynne Hilson which provided more details of the provision of youth services in the Panel area. He also referred to the progress being made by the Youth Empowerment Project in developing an area wide youth parliament and school councils.
	Andy Wier also referred to the two Education Action Zones (EAZ) in the Panel area. “Together We Can” covered Parson Cross, Foxhill and Southey whilst “Learning Together” covered Shirecliffe and Longley.
	Ann Marie Clark gave a brief update on the “Together We Can” EAZ which included Parkwood High, Shirecliffe, Watermead and Longley Schools, and some others in the Burngreave area. Work was particularly being undertaken in developing the extended schools initiative across the community and she was pleased to report that the new development at Busk Meadow would deliver many activities linked to family learning. Three Family Development Workers were funded by the EAZ and there were many courses being operated which allowed people to study for National Vocational Qualifications. Close links had also been established with the Sure Start initiative and the Health providers to ensure more co-ordination of service provision.
	Penny Rea then gave a brief update on the “Learning Together” EAZ which included Chaucer and Yewlands Secondary Schools and the associated feeder schools. Work was particularly focussed on educational projects, staff training and developing the Extended Schools agenda.
	Lynne Hilson acknowledged the challenges set down by Pat Salmon and went on to give details of the range of activity being provided by Sheffield Futures, particularly focussing on aspects of the Every Child Matters initiative. With regard to children’s safety, work was being undertaken with the Police, and also children themselves, to find ways of resolving conflicts. In conjunction with the Primary Care Trust work was being undertaken on promoting healthy eating. Whilst there was no further funding available progress was being made in developing out of school learning, in conjunction with existing organisations, to work on such areas as developing career paths. Support was being given to the development of the Youth Parliament and there was a full time Careers Adviser working at Chaucer School.
	Steve Robinson, Headteacher at Chaucer School, referred to the long term difficulties that were being addressed by his School and others with regard to levels of attainment. He cited the fact that 50% of children transferring to Chaucer School at Year 7 (aged 11) were on the Special Educational Needs Register or had a reading age of a 9 year old or below. He was therefore supportive of the work being undertaken with children and families and welcomed the consultation on the Children’s Service and the introduction of Full Service Districts. He recognised the need for schools to be more fully utilised. He acknowledged the issue raised by Pat Salmon that the starting point for the area was much lower and that school must be seen as an ambitious place to be at, utilised by all family members. There was a need to address the negative view of young people and whilst recognising that there were issues relating to truancy and anti social behaviour he highlighted the fact that Chaucer School had maintained a 90% attendance level. He invited members of the public to come into Chaucer School and have a look around.
	Councillor Leigh Bramall referred to the need to engage with those parents who were not actively involved with school, particularly with services such as the planned Adult Learning Centre, and for there to be a better understanding of the advice structure that was available, which he believed could be addressed by the community hubs initiative.
	Chris Mallaband indicated that he had been appointed as Head of Parkwood High with effect from 1st September, 2005, and he was very encouraged by the Extended Schools initiative. He was currently working on an initiative to increase attendance at schools across the City and had been successful in drawing up a protocol, agreed by all Head Teachers, for placing excluded pupils, where appropriate, at alternative schools. Paul Howard, Deputy Head at Parkwood High, believed that progress was being made and cited the removal of the College at Shirecliffe a number of years ago as sending out the wrong message for young people with regard to their levels of educational expectancy which was now being addressed.
	Lesley Pollard referred to the poorly paid job in Rotherham, advertised on the Connexions website, and believed that it would not be worth a young person, from the Panel area, travelling to that job. Lynne Hilson indicated that the Connexions Website advertised employment opportunities City wide. She also referred to the fact that there were other factors, such as the loss of benefits, which held young people back from accepting some employment opportunities.
	In response to a question from Councillor Gill Furniss about caretaker issues linked to opening schools for longer periods Paul Howard commented that at present, funding was available for education purposes, but schools had to look at using their facilities as income generators to enable extended schools activities to be self financing. Steve Robinson indicated that Chaucer School was open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and this was possible due to staff operating a shift system.
	Councillor Leigh Bramall indicated that he was a member of a working group established to look into how school sports facilities could be better utilised with the benefits being the promotion of a healthier lifestyle for children and the removal of barriers which stopped people from going into schools. It was intended to develop and share examples of good practice.
	Anita Nadin from Sheffield Homes gave details of the joint working that was being undertaken in tackling anti social behaviour, which included the serving of Anti Social Behaviour Contracts, the work of the Neighbourhood Action Team, particularly their work with young children in schools, the development of community rules in Shirecliffe and a commitment to accommodate children from Yewlands and Chaucer School’s on work placements.
	Lesley Pollard gave more information about the project to develop a Youth Parliament, supported by Neighbourhood Renewal Funding. The young people involved had visited a similar initiative in Knowsley and adopted their model. Joint working had been undertaken with the three secondary schools in the area, Yewlands, Parkwood High and Chaucer, to attract representatives, elect a Chair and write a mission statement. One of the first outcomes was a request for a Health Clinic to operate in each secondary school. Work was also being undertaken with Penny Rea from the “Together we Can” Education Action Zone to develop School Councils across the primary schools in the area. The Parliament would have representation from primary and secondary schools, youth forums and disability groups and it was hoped that it would develop into a visionary model which could feed information effectively into the City Council structure. Penny Rea spoke in more detail about the support the “Together We Can” EAZ was giving to the initiative.
	Pat Salmon believed that some of his questions had been answered but there was still a need for better agency working and a clearer strategy. He welcomed the Panel’s Action Plan as a way forward.
	Councillor Gill Furniss welcomed the debate and requested that progress be reviewed over the next year, particularly with regard to reducing the levels of exclusion and increasing the number of quality employment opportunities.
	The Panel noted the information given.

6.	MINUTES
	The minutes of (a) the Panel meeting held 24th March, 2005, and (b) the joint Owlerton/Southey Green and Brightside/Shiregreen Area Panel Meeting held 12th April, 2005, were received and approved as a correct record.
	Arising therefrom Andy Wier reported that South Yorkshire Police would be attending a future meeting of the Panel to give details of how they proposed to utilise the NRF for additional police hours.
	Pat Salmon welcomed the erection of the “Welcome” signs but highlighted the fact that the position of some may need changing to better reflect community boundaries. The “Welcome to Southey Green” sign had been damaged and Andy Wier indicated that he would look into arranging for remedial work to be carried out.
	Councillor Leigh Bramall indicated that a site meeting, with representatives from DAKTARA, had been arranged to discuss the options with regard to the future of the Southey Bus Gate.
	Norma Ashmore, from the Parson Cross Forum, gave details of the work that had been undertaken with regard to the development of School Travel Plans at the Monteney, St. Thomas More, Mansel and Southey Green Schools, which had attracted a small amount of funding.
	Walter Bagshaw asked if progress had been made with regard to the request for the installation of bollards outside the chemist shop on Moonshine Lane? Carol Wilson from Galsworthy TARA was aware that this work had been included within the Highways budget for 2005/2006.

7.	NEXT MEETING
	The Panel noted that the next meeting would be held on Thursday, 23rd June, 2005, at 6.00 p.m. at Birley Carr Methodist Church.

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