Present at the meeting:
- Councillor J B Baldwin (Cabinet Member)(In the Chair)
- Councillor Mrs K Aldred
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor K W McManus
- Councillor R T Splaine
- Councillor J Talbot
- Councillor R Winkworth
- Rev Dr R Buckley (Co-opted Member)
- Mr G Cheeseman (Co-opted Member)
39 Apologies for absence: Councillors Mrs A M L Bland, Ms L E Fagan, G W Fairhurst and B M Wilson and Mr D Barber (Co-opted Member), Mr A Birchall (Co-opted Member), Rev Deacon R Moore (Co-opted Member) and Mr B Turrell (Co-opted Member).
40 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 13 September 2007 were approved as a correct record.
41 Exclusion of the public - Section 100a Local Government Act 1972: Agreed: The public is excluded from the meeting when the Panel discusses the following item for the reason set out below:-
| Agenda item No. |
Title of report |
Minute No. |
Description of exempt information by reference to the paragraph number in schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 |
| E1 |
Primary strategy for change: Initial investment priorities |
52 |
3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)). |
42 Projected Demand for Primary School Places in Wigan South and Atherton: The Panel considered a report (minute 6 refers, Cabinet 31 May 2007 and minute 12 Children and Young People Panel, 24 May 2007), which was also to be submitted to next Cabinet dealing with the latest primary school roll projections and the implications for primary school places in certain areas of the borough.
Members were informed of the results of consultation on proposals to provide temporary additional primary school places in Wigan South and Atherton.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
(Councillor Ms P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is a Governor at St Jude’s School and Councillor Mrs B Bourne declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is Chair of Governors of Marsh Green School).
43 Education and inspections act 2006: New role for local authority in school organisation: This item was withdrawn.
44 Nursery Admissions: The Panel considered a report, which was to be submitted to Cabinet, that informed Members of the new requirements for adult to children ratios in local authority maintained nursery schools and units and the impact this had on admission numbers.
Members asked questions to which the Director of Children and Young People’s Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
(Councillor Ms P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is a Governor at St Jude’s School. Councillor M Klieve declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item as his children attend All Saints School. Councillor K W McManus declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item as his child attends nursery next year at either Garrett Hall or Tyldesley School. Councillor R T Splaine declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor at Meadowbank School. Councillor Mrs B Bourne declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is Chair of Governors of Marsh Green School. Councillor R Winkworth declared and personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is Chair of Governors of Winstanley County Primary School).
45 Admissions to primary and secondary schools 2007/08: The Panel considered a report, which was to be submitted to Cabinet that informed Members of:
- the results of the admissions and appeals processes for the 2007/08 intake into schools;
- the numbers of mid year admissions into schools in the 2006/07 school year and the effect of the Fair Access Policy; and
- admission issues for 2008/09.
Members asked questions to which the Director of Children and Young People’s Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
46 Review of provision and use of resourced schools: Results of informal consultation: The Panel considered a report that had been submitted to Cabinet (minute 188 refers) on the outcome of informal consultation on the proposal to discontinue the:
- specialist nursery provision at Meadowbank Primary School; and
- speech and Language Development Centre at Hindley Green Primary School.
Councillor R T Splaine declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor at Meadowbank School).
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
47 Building schools for the future: The review of mainstream secondary schools: The Panel considered a report, which will be submitted to Cabinet, dealing with the review of secondary schools and seeking permission to start public consultation on a proposal for change.
Members asked questions to which the Director of Children and Young People’s Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted and places on record to the staff of PEMBEC School, its appreciation of the commitment and dedication that has resulted in the continued improvements in attainment and outcomes for pupils.
48 Children and Young People Services Education Capital Programme: The Panel considered a report, which was to be submitted to Cabinet, that informed Members on the progress of the Education Capital Programme.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
49 Memberships of committees and groups: This item was withdrawn.
50 Wigan Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB) - minutes of the meetings held on 24 April, 4 June, 30 July and 24 September 2007: The Panel considered a report which was to be submitted to Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny, that informed and updated Members on decisions of the WSCB on 24 April, 4 June, 30 July and 24 September 2007.
Agreed: The Panel notes the minutes of the meetings now submitted.
51 Appointment of local authority representative governors: The Panel considered a report that informed Members of local authority governor vacancies at schools in the Borough.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
52 Primary strategy for change: Initial investment priorities: The Panel considered a report, which was to be submitted to Cabinet, that sought approval of the draft primary capital strategy. The report suggested draft initial investment priorities that had resulted from the application of the criteria contained within the draft strategy. The priorities must be consulted upon in order to receive final approval and funding from Central Government.
Members asked questions to which the Director of Children and Young People’s Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
