Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes from the meeting held on 16 November 2015, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

The minutes of the Executive Board meetings relevant to the Employment, Learning and Skills and Community PPB and resolved since the last meeting of the Board were submitted for information.

The Board received a presentation on the Brindley Theatre, which outlined its recent successes and future priorities.

The Board was advised that the Brindley was opened in September 2004 and consisted of a 420 seat theatre; a studio with 108 seats; an education room, gallery, café and bar.  The Arts and Events Manager outlined the Venue’s awards since its opening and the changes that had been made to the exterior and interior of the building to update and freshen its quality appeal. 

He advised them of the new ticketing software being used and gave examples of the Theatre’s increased income and general running costs, for example lighting and marketing.  He also outlined the programming changes and explained the booking process of upcoming acts, which were planned up to 18 months in advance.  The recent increase in sales figures relating to this year’s Pantomime, general merchandise and school bookings was noted, and it was hoped that this would continue as the future priorities for the Theatre were undertaken.

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the presentation and welcomes the positive progress being made to promote the Theatre as an important visitor destination.

Councillor MacManus declared a Disclosable Other Interest in the following item as he was a Governor at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College.

The Board received a presentation from the Chair of Governors Mr Jim Wilson, the Principal Mrs Wendy White and Teacher Ms Adele Reece, of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College. 

They outlined the work that the School was undertaking to support pupils that were not reaching their full potential and discussed the adoption of the ‘one teacher’ approach to addressing this issue.

This new learning approach had started a year ago in Year 7 and was referred to as ‘curriculum enhancement’.  The ‘enhancement class’ was now in its second year and had seen a dramatic rise in results since it started.

A video was played which provided positive feedback from some of the children who were in the enhancement classes.  It was noted that the project had not only helped those children who were taking part, but had also provided the secondary school teachers with new skills which were being shared throughout the school, thus contributing to better results in other areas.

The presenters and Members discussed the ‘all through’ school model; the relationship of Saints Peter and Paul with its surrounding primaries; and how success of the model was measured.

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the presentation and action points to date.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which provided an update on the delivery of the Merseyside Business Support Programme within Halton.

It was reported that the objective of the Merseyside Business Support Programme within Halton was to offer assistance to companies who had been trading for more than 12 months and who had the capacity to expand and increase their workforce.  The support provided by the Merseyside Business Support Programme consisted of an initial diagnostic phase followed, where appropriate, with specialist assistance in those areas identified as contributing to business growth.  Members were advised that the initial funding available for the implementation of the Merseyside Business Support Programme within Halton was £381,852, with a 50% contribution from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 50% provided by Halton Borough Council.

The report continued to advise Members of the implementation process of the Programme in Halton and its performance and outputs.

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the performance of the Merseyside Business Support Programme in Halton with respect to:

1)    The number of companies assisted by the Merseyside Business Support Programme; and

2)    Anticipated jobs created or safeguarded as a consequence of engaging with the Merseyside Business Support Programme.

The Board considered a report from the Strategic Director, People and Economy, that advised Members of the skills for growth priorities for the LCR. 

It was reported that a number of Skills for Growth documents had been produced, which aimed to influence and inform curriculum planning, training provision and the design of employment and skills policies and programmes.  These documents provided an analysis on current and future skills and employment requirements in key growth sectors and flagged up future potential strategic developments in the LCR.  Further it was commented that these documents had provided a solid base for the development of a skills for growth priorities list, which identified the skills needs of employers and then provided a framework for how partners in the LCR could respond to these needs.

The report went on to discuss the generic priorities identified and made reference to some headline challenges that would need to be addressed by the LCR.  These headline challenges were attached at Appendix 1 together with the Action Plans, which were discussed by the Board.

RESOLVED:  That Members consider how the skills for growth priorities be communicated to key stakeholders in Halton including businesses, schools and Riverside College.

The Board received a number of policy, legislation, consultation and guidance documents that were issued by Government departments and agencies and had varying degrees of relevance to issues on the employment, learning and skills agenda and related topics.

The report provided a brief summary of key announcements along with observations of local relevance, where appropriate, so Members could consider whether to initiate more detailed scrutiny and/or report to a future meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the announcements are noted.

The Board was presented with the Performance Management reports for quarter 2 of 2015-16 (July to September) and were asked to consider and raise any questions or points of clarification in respect of these.

It was noted that the key priorities for development or improvement in 2014-2017 were agreed by Members and included in Directorate Plans, for the various functional areas reporting to the Board as detailed below:

·       Enterprise, Employment and Skills; and

·       Community and Environment

The report detailed progress against service objectives and milestones, and performance targets and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen during the period.  Members noted that the Leisure Centres would come back under Council control effective 1 April 2016 and that the gymnasiums at all three sites would be upgraded following this.

RESOLVED: That the second quarter performance management reports be received and comments made be noted.