Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 105 KBVenue: The Cube, Tontine Street, Folkestone CT20 1JR
Contact: David Geoghegan - Community Laision Manager 07786 191667
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Welcome to the meeting - Mr Wood-Brignall, Vice Chairman Minutes: |
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Declarations of Interests by Members in Items on the Agenda for this Meeting. |
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Welcome and introduction to the Centre and the Service Ian Forward, Head of Kent Adult Education welcomed the meeting to the Cube.
Lois Reynolds, Curriculum Manager, The Cube gave details on the planned programme. There would be a tour of the centre followed by a presentation by Lisa Barrett Smith, Community Development Manager.
Minutes: Members introduced themselves and apologies were given. Mr Wood-Brignall welcomed Ian Forward, Head of Adult Education, who gave an overview of the service.
The Cube is the newest Adult Education Service (AES) centre and is a partnership project with Roger De Haan’s Creative Foundation. The £10m service is funded not by KCC but through the Learning Skills Council (LCS) and provides courses in 120 venues across Kent. Four years ago there were over 240 venues but the government cut funding by 25% and it no longer sees AES traditional classes as meeting its core objectives of vocational education and prioritising education provision on younger learners.
Nevertheless KAES is still one of the largest providers of AE in the country. There are plans and strategies being developed to modernise the service and make it even more successful.
Questions from Members and responses from Ian and Lois Reynolds, Curriculum Manager at the Cube.
Q. What can be done about the lack of parking at the Cube? A. We are still negotiating for more parking spaces. There is some street parking but there is also easy access by public transport.
Q. Why is there no funding from KCC? A. KCC did fund the service but that changed in 1988. However KAES does operate out of a number of KCC buildings.
Q. Is the beginners Bridge class moving? A. Not yet but it will.
Q. You lost half your venues but what about the number of students? Did you lose half of them? A. No, the number of students only dropped by 25% when we had to stop some of the classes.
Q. Why are there far less courses than there was ten years ago? A. Because government funding has changed and we can no longer subsidise some courses.
Q. You might like to talk to Stephen Gasche from SDC about parking and do you need any support from KCC Members? A. Yes we always need support. There may be a piece of equipment needed for the Cube for which we would need funding and we would also like some funding for our Skill Plus Centre as we want to hold events to encourage workforce development and any contributions from Members would be appreciated.
Q. Can you still run traditional courses like flower arranging? A. Yes if costs are covered. We are also trying to be innovative like attending the Kent Wedding Fayre in Leeds Castle where we can say come to a class and do your own wedding flowers and your own dress and make your own wedding invitations etc and save money!
Q. Do you have a close relationship with the university? A. Yes we are working together and not against each other. Our art students are welcome to go to art lectures at the Uni for free!
Q. Do you do IT classes at the Cube? A. Yes, a small amount.
Q. Where do students come from? A. From all over Shepway and even from Ashford. ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |
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Questions - your opportunity to ask questions about the presentations and any local issues |
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Any Other Business notified to the Chairman prior to the meeting. Member Grants where there is a prejudicial interest. Minutes: Mr Wood-Brignall wanted to recommend a grant of £2,300 for the restoration of an 18th Century chandelier but had a personal interest as a member of the Lydd parish church. The Local Board Members agreed to this recommendation.
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting. |