Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

Councillor Shelbrooke declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Draft Statement – University Fees, due to his employment with the University of Leeds.  Minute No. 46 refers.

Councillors Driver and Fox declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7, Assitional Session – Skills Inquiry, due to theire respective positions as Governors at Thomas Danby College and Leeds College of Technolgy.  Minute No. 45 refers.

To receive any apologies for absence.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 November 2008

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development informed Members of the additional session for the Skills Inquiry.  Principals of the 3 Leeds Further Education (FE)Colleges that would be forming the new Leeds City College had been invited to the meeting along with the Learning Skills Council to give the Board opportunity to consider the impact of the proposed FE College merger on employers, individuals and communities in Leeds.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Christina George, Learning Skills College
• Maxine Room, Principal, Park Lane College
• Peter Ryder, Principal, Leeds College of Technology.

An apology for absence was sent on behalf of Roy Thorpe, Principal, Thomas Danby College.

It was reported that the following lead roles had been undertaken for the Leeds City College:

-  Maxine Room – Property and Finance

-  Peter Ryder – Human Resources

-  Roy Thorpe – Curriculum

In response to Members questions and comments, the following issues were discussed:

·  Financial forecasting for the Leeds City College showed efficiency savings would be made over the next 3 years.

·  Specialist teaching areas would be retained within sections of the new college.  The FE system was currently complex and duplication of courses needed to be avoided for cost effectiveness.  Under current FE arrangements in Leeds, there had been duplication of courses that had led to unnecessary competition.

·  The new college would provide a wider range of courses for 14-19 year olds in and around Leeds.

·  The views and input of the Leeds City Council would be valued, particularly as there would be new funding responsibilities and also due to the Council’s role as a major employer and economic influence across the City.

·  Savings would be made through the use of new buildings as many of the current sites were not cost effective.

·  Consultation had taken place with young people, parents, College Governors, Elected Members and staff.  Ongoing discussion was taking place with other partners including the Chamber of Commerce and Leeds Skills Board.

·  Partnership arrangements with schools and cluster of schools and relationship with Education Leeds.

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To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development provided the Board with details of the current Work Programme.  Appended to the report was a copy of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions and a copy of the latest Executive Board minutes.

Thursday, 15 January 2009 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Members at 09.30 a.m.)

Thursday, 15 January 2008 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Members at 09.30 a.m.)