Agenda and minutes

Mr J A Davenport

 

The Chairman reported with sadness the death on 27 July 2009 of former County Councillor Jim Davenport aged 85 years.

 

Mr Davenport had been elected to the Council in 1985 and had served until 1997 representing the Market Bosworth Electoral Division.  He had served mainly on the Finance and General Purposes, Policy and Resources, Resources and Investment Committees in each case serving for periods as the Conservative Group Spokesman.

 

Members joined the Chairman in standing in silent tribute to the memory of Mr Jim Davenport.

 

Special Olympics

 

As an Ambassador for the Special Olympics, the Chairman indicated that he had been delighted to learn that two young men in the care of Leicestershire County Council had won medals at the Special Olympics held in July. 

 

Bradley Folkard, aged 15, had won 2 gold medals and a silver medal in the equestrian events; and James Wright, aged13, had won a total of 6 gold and silver medals in gymnastics. 

 

Members joined the Chairman in extending congratulations to Bradley and James.

 

Events Over The Summer

 

The Chairman invited members to join him in acknowledging a tremendously successful Summer for some of the County Council’s visitor attractions, as follows:-

 

○       Bosworth Battlefield had its most successful re-enactment in 25 years with over 5,300 people attending the event in August; 

 

○       the Wood Fair at Beacon Hill had attracted 5,400 visitors (double last year’s attendance); 

 

○       the second Miners’ Gala at Snibston held last Saturday had attracted 3,400 people, another significant increase; and

 

○       the launch of the Harborough Museum with the wonderful new gallery featuring the Hallaton Treasure had attracted 2,500 visitors.

 

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman between them had been able to attend those events and had seen for themselves how successful they had been. 

 

Overall more than 16,500 visitors had enjoyed the County Council’s country parks and heritage in the space of just three weeks.  The excellence of the country parks had been recognised recently and the Chairman had been delighted to present Green Flag Awards, which are given to the best green spaces in the country, to both Beacon Hill and Market Bosworth Country Parks.

 

The Chairman, felt sure that he spoke for all members in expressing gratitude to everyone who helped make those events so successful.

 

County Council Fun Day

 

The Chairman took the opportunity to congratulate County Council staff who had participated and supported the County Council's Fun Day which had taken place on 12th August. 

 

A total of 16 teams had travelled from across the County to compete in the Gladiator-style events, which included bungee runs, human bar football, and rodeo riding.  The eventual winners were the Vamps and Tramps team from Corporate Resources.  

 

With an emphasis on fun, the event had raised £2,500 for Wishes 4 Kids.

 

Visitors

 

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting all visitors and guests of members.

 

It was moved by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman and carried:-

 

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8 July 2009, copies of which have been circulated to members, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.”

 

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to make declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

 

All members of District and Borough Councils declared personal non-prejudicial interests in all matters relating to those Councils.

 

The following further declarations were made:-

 

Member                                 Minute No.                Interest

 

Mr. S. J. Galton                      27                                Personal non-prejudicial as

                                                                                    Members of CASCET

Dr. R. K. A. Feltham              27                                Personal non-prejudicial as

                                                                                    Chairman of CASCET

Mr. P. A. Roffey                     28A                             Personal non-prejudicial as a

Governor of Brooksby with an

interest in Rearsby Gravel

 

(A)       Mr Wright CC asked the following question of the Leader or his nominee:

 

"1.       According to this Council's own figures for 2009/10, the average per-pupil funding in primary schools is £3,033.  Whilst many of the 225 primary schools do not vary greatly from this average, there are some notable exceptions.

 

                        28 schools receive funding in excess of £4,000 per pupil, 3 schools receive in excess of £5,000, 1 school in excess of £6,000 and 1 school in excess of £7,000, the latter two being more than twice the average.

 

                        What are the reasons that explain these large differences?

 

2.         The total number of pupils in the 5 schools receiving in excess of £5,000 per pupil is 176.  Collectively those schools receive £1,045,197 in funding.

 

In comparison, taking two examples from different areas of the county, Kegworth Primary - no. on roll 168, figures adjusted to 176, receives £534,022.  Richard Hill C of E - no. on roll 174, figures adjusted to 176, receives £504,176.

 

                        Is this a fair distribution of available resources?

 

3.         Using comparator councils, can the Leader please provide figures illustrating:

 

a)         the average per-pupil funding in primary schools

 

b)         respectively, the smallest and largest variation from the average?"

 

Mr Hart replied as follows:

 

"1.       The formula applied to calculate school budgets takes into account a number of factors to recognise the individual needs of schools and the pupils within them.  Although the formula is applied consistently across all schools, there are differences where funding allocations are made in respect of some but not all pupils.  The following pupil led factors influence the level of budget received by school:

 

·                    The deprivation score arising from the pupils within the school;

·                    The level of pupil prior attainment;

·                    The need for schools to meet the Key Stage 1 class size legislation;

·                    The number of pupils eligible for free school meals;

·                    The presence of schools with units serving SEN needs.

 

Schools also receive funding not directly attributable to pupils which affects  the total level of budget received, for example:

 

·                    The physical size of the building and its grounds;

·                    Allocation of small school protection.

 

The calculation of unit funding per child is based upon the total budget divided by the number of pupils on roll, the level of surplus places within schools can also result in funding differences per pupil.

 

2.         Small school protection has been a factor within the Leicestershire formula for funding schools for a considerable amount of time and provides additional funding for the overheads incurred by a school irrespective of the number of pupils within it; this type of protection is prevalent in the formulae of many Councils.

 

A balance needs to be drawn between supporting small schools financially to remain able to provide for the needs of children and young people and the additional costs that could be incurred in the absence of such schools, for example home to school transport.

 

A review of the funding formula commissioned by the Schools (Funding) Forum is currently underway with any changes to the formula being implemented in 2011.  Any changes to the formula need to be subject to consultation with all schools with changes agreed by the Schools (Funding) Forum before implementation.

 

            3.         (a)       The information available from the national publication of local authority spend within the annual Section 52 Budget Statement compiled by local authorities does not separate primary, secondary or special schools but an overall school average can be obtained.  Unfortunately, the 2009/10 information has not yet been published nationally but can be compiled when that information becomes available.

 

Average per-pupil funding, across school phases, however, is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Leader presented a position statement on the following matters:

 

Medium Term Financial Strategy

Total Place

Pennbury

Performance

Examination Results

School Development

Park and Ride

Rail Electrification

National Transport Awards

 

The Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health presented a position statement on the following matters:

 

Safeguarding Adults: Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

Valuing People Now

Older People's Champions in Leicestershire

 

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission presented a position statement on the development of the scrutiny work programme and the effective operation of scrutiny more generally.

 

Copies of the position statements are filed with these minutes.

 

It was moved by Mr Rhodes, seconded by Mr Orson and carried:-

 

"(a)      That the Leicestershire Minerals Core Strategy and Development Control Policies Development Plan Document, as amended to accord with the recommendations in the Inspector’s report dated 1 May 2009, be formally adopted by the Leicestershire County Council;

 

(b)       That the Leicestershire and Leicester Waste Core Strategy and Development Control Policies Development Plan Document, as amended to accord with the recommendations in the Inspector’s report dated 1 May 2009, be formally adopted by the Leicestershire County Council;

 

(c)        That the Chief Executive be authorised to take all actions necessary to give effect to the decisions in (a) and (b) above (including agreeing with Leicester City Council a date from which the adoption will take effect)."

 

It was moved by Mr Page, seconded by Mr Rhodes and carried:-

 

"That the County Council's Final End of Year Performance Report for 2008/09, as referred to in Section B of the report of the Cabinet, be approved."

 

Motion 1

 

It was moved by Mr Parsons, seconded by Mr Snartt and carried:-

 

"That the proposed amendments to the Council's Constitution set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the joint report of the Corporate Governance and Constitution Committees, other than those which relate to changes to Standing Orders (the Meeting Procedure Rules), be approved."

 

Motion 2 – Procedural Motion

 

It was moved by Mr Parsons and seconded by Mr Rhodes:-

 

Revision of Standing Orders

 

"That, in accordance with Standing Order 37, the County Council is recommended to approve the changes to Standing Orders (the Meeting Procedure Rules) as set out in Appendix 2 to the joint report of the Corporate Governance and Constitution Committees."

 

(The Council noted that under Standing Order 37 this procedural motion having been moved and seconded now stood adjourned until the next ordinary meeting of the Council.)