Issue - meetings

(1)       The Committee received their regular report on the forecast outturn against the budget for the Community Services Portfolio.  In paragraph 3.1 of the report, Mr Shipton highlighted the main variances.

(2)       Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to make comments and ask questions which included the following issues:-

·                    Adult Education enrolment – concern was expressed about the drop in enrolment for adult education.  Officers undertook to submit a report to the next meeting of the Policy Overview Committee on the drop in enrolments for Adult Education including the impact of increasing prices compared to the national picture.

·                    In relation to the Gravesend Library, Mr Hill undertook to ensure that local Members were involved in the development of proposals.

·                    Concern was expressed about the timing of the monitoring reports and the time that elapsed between them being produced and being submitted to the Policy Overview Committees.

·                    In relation to page B2:7 –Youth Offending Services Grant for the Youth Justice Board, it was confirmed that this was an annually renewable grant although it was anticipated that it would be at a stand still figure with no increase for inflation.

·                    It was suggested that it might be helpful to use youth centres to promote the Freedom Pass which would make them more accessible for young people.

·                    Page B2:16 –Ashford Library and Learning and Information Centre – in relation to the disposal costs mentioned, it was clarified this was for the disposal of a site purchased for a specific project and did not relate to the library itself.

(3)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)       that the  projected outturn figures for the directorate as at the at the second quarter be noted;

(b)       a report would be submitted to the next meeting of the POC on Adult Education