Agenda and minutes

44.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2018.

Disclosure by all Members present of personal interests in matters on the Agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Member regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct

45.1     Councillor Barnes declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 4 as his grand daughter played with the East Sussex Youth Orchestra.

45.2     Councillor Field declared a personal non prejudicial interest in items 5 and 6 as the Chair of a Pre-school Group.

45.3     Councillor O’Keeffe declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 4 as a former music teacher and items 5 and 6 as a Trustee of a Pre-school Group.

45.4     Councillor Webb declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 4 as a Member of the Hastings Many Voices Project.

46.1     Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

47.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services regarding proposals to address the financial sustainability of the East Sussex Music Service.

47.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to –

1) agree to implement the Management and Administrative restructure proposals and other efficiency measures in relation to the East Sussex Music Service (already consulted on in October 2017); and

2) welcome proposals from outside bodies to deliver an instrumental teaching service whilst also agreeing that a proposal be drawn up to close the instrumental teaching service, as outlined in Option B in the report

Reason

47.3     On balance Option A, as set out in the report, was not recommended for the following reasons:

· Option A leaves a deficit budget of between £37.5k and £77.3K in 2022/23

depending on the agreement reached with the Hub about how much money is

released back to support the social mobility agenda. The Music Service is not a

statutory service and it would be difficult to justify prioritising this service over other

frontline services.

· The service would still remain financially at risk from any reduction in grant funding,

any change in schools’ commitment to supporting fee remission and any reduction in

student numbers. Given the risks it is not considered that it is viable to constantly

revisit options to address the financial sustainability of the service as it absorbs

considerable senior management, HR and legal time each time we do it.

47.4     Although the Music Service is undoubtedly a valued and much loved service, for the reasons outlined in the report, the Lead Member agreed Option B and to implement the management and administrative restructure and other efficiency measures and ask that a proposal to close down the instrumental teaching is drawn up with an intended implementation date of September 2019 (subject to public consultation and further work).

47.5   It is hoped that revised proposals can be drawn up collaboratively with staff and Trade Unions, but given the financial forecast, it will be necessary to move quickly because of the budget pressures. We would hope to consult with the public from June 2018 and with staff from October 2018.

47.6   Although this could have some negative impact in the long-term on music education opportunities and is likely to be met with public, staff and union opposition, this option would secure the financial viability to continue to provide many elements of the current Music Service and provide greater opportunity for the service and Hub partners to support the County Council’s priorities around vulnerable people. An equalities impact assessment will be undertaken as part of the public consultation.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

48.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services regarding proposals to lower the age range at Langney Primary School, Eastbourne

48.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to –

            1) authorise the publication of statutory notices in respect of a proposal to lower the age range at Langney Primary School, Eastbourne from 3 to 11 to 2 to 11with the proposal to take effect on 1 September 2018; and

            2) delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to amend the proposals prior to publication if required

Reason

48.3     The proposal to lower the age range at Langney Primary school will help to build on work already done by the school, ensuring a fully integrated Early Years Foundation Stage to help secure good outcomes for all children. The proposal is in line with council strategy for the integration of nursery school provision.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

49.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services regarding a proposal to lower the age range at Ditchling (St Margraet’s) CE Primary School.

49.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to –

            1) authorise the publication od statutory notices in respect of a proposal to lower the age range at Ditchling (St Margaret’s) CE Primary School from 4 to 11 to 2 to 11 to take effect from 1 September 2018; and

            2) delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to amend the proposals  prior to their publication if required.

Reason

49.3     The proposal to lower the age range at Ditchling (St Margret’s) CE Primary

School will help to build on work already done by the school in conjunction with the

Pre-schools Voluntary Management Committee. This will help ensure a fully

integrated Early Years Foundation Stage to help secure good outcomes for all

children in the future. The proposal is in line with council strategy for the integration of nursery / school provision.