Today's Cornwall Council Children, Education & Families ("CEF") Overview & Scrutiny Committee had a full agenda so it's thanks to the officers and councillors that we got through it so well without stinting on the discussions.
There is understandable concern that whilst the grant reductions to date, in the CEF arena, have been absorbed without too much difficulty - although it would be wrong to assume that there has not been a reduction in services or some lost jobs - the future range and number of cuts will not be known until after the Government's autumn spending review which takes place on 20 October.
As the Cornwall Council Cabinet develop their proposals to manage the funding cuts, whilst continuing on the overall journey of achieving value for money, there is a critical role for the Scrutiny Committees, whose memberships is over 50% of the councillors, to understand, challenge and, where appropriate, recommend alternative options in the implementation of the funding reductions. A strong scrutiny function can then inform the deliberations of the Full Council when it meets in November to decide on the emergency budget.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Cornwall Council: Good Progress
It was good to hear at yesterday's Cornwall Council Cabinet meeting of the very real progress being made in moving Cornwall Council towards being a top class council. This will benefit everyone in Cornwall, as quality services are delivered at lowest possible cost.
The details are that Cornwall Council has achieved the second best performance standards of all those councils who moved to unitary status in 2009. There was already clear evidence that performance standards across the Council have been improving however it is particularly gratifying to have independent confirmation of the progress made since the Conservatives, working alongside the Independents, took control of Cornwall Council in 2009.
The independent report was prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers who provide a benchmarking service to a number of Councils to allow performance to be compared.
This positive performance result sits alongside continued effective management of the Cornwall Council budget which is on track to deliver well over £50m of savings in the current financial year. These savings comprise the initial Cornwall Council target of £40m savings in 2010/2011 (which were needed to keep the council tax increase low) plus the subsequent additional savings required from the reduction in Government grants. Whilst the latest forecast is of a small overspend this primarily arises from the effect of the Government grants reduction and there is every expectation that the budget will be back in line before the financial year comes to a close.
Further savings arising from the rationalisation of Cornwall Council’s office property will be achieved by the adoption of modern working practices. This will reduce the number of offices which the Council needs to occupy. There will be some short-term costs, especially regarding refurbishments of offices in Dolceath Avenue, Camborne, and New County Hall, Truro to allow more staff to be based in these locations however overall the changes will achieve significant long-term savings.
Much remains to be done. The current performance improvements, whilst welcome, are not any reason to reduce the efforts to make further substantial improvements.
The details are that Cornwall Council has achieved the second best performance standards of all those councils who moved to unitary status in 2009. There was already clear evidence that performance standards across the Council have been improving however it is particularly gratifying to have independent confirmation of the progress made since the Conservatives, working alongside the Independents, took control of Cornwall Council in 2009.
The independent report was prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers who provide a benchmarking service to a number of Councils to allow performance to be compared.
This positive performance result sits alongside continued effective management of the Cornwall Council budget which is on track to deliver well over £50m of savings in the current financial year. These savings comprise the initial Cornwall Council target of £40m savings in 2010/2011 (which were needed to keep the council tax increase low) plus the subsequent additional savings required from the reduction in Government grants. Whilst the latest forecast is of a small overspend this primarily arises from the effect of the Government grants reduction and there is every expectation that the budget will be back in line before the financial year comes to a close.
Further savings arising from the rationalisation of Cornwall Council’s office property will be achieved by the adoption of modern working practices. This will reduce the number of offices which the Council needs to occupy. There will be some short-term costs, especially regarding refurbishments of offices in Dolceath Avenue, Camborne, and New County Hall, Truro to allow more staff to be based in these locations however overall the changes will achieve significant long-term savings.
Much remains to be done. The current performance improvements, whilst welcome, are not any reason to reduce the efforts to make further substantial improvements.
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Penryn Fair Day
My, sadly lacking, knowledge of Cornish history was improved by listening to the Grand Bard's presentation about the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 at the prelude to Penryn Fair Day.
Congratulations to the organising committee for Saturday's excellent day.
A note for your diary: the Gorsedd comes to Penryn in 2013.
Prayer Book Rebellion:
www.cornwallgb.com/cornwall_england_howard.html www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1192787
Gorsedd:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorsedd gorsethkernow.org.uk/english/about.htm
Congratulations to the organising committee for Saturday's excellent day.
A note for your diary: the Gorsedd comes to Penryn in 2013.
Prayer Book Rebellion:
www.cornwallgb.com/cornwall_england_howard.html www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1192787
Gorsedd:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorsedd gorsethkernow.org.uk/english/about.htm
School: Term Times
My initial research has established the following.
The school year, of three terms, was established in 1875 and with just a few minor changes has broadly remained unaltered since then. It's initial design included recognition that many children would be involved in harvesting crops.
The current arrangements act to the educational disadvantage of children, particular those from poorer families, as reading and numeracy skills fall during long periods whilst away from school, such as the current six weeks summer holiday.
There are various proposals to both shorthen the summer holiday and increase the time that children spend at school. One that I have come across proposes a five term year with each term of about nine weeks. This would increase the total time at school from the present 42 weeks to nearer 45 weeks per year. The summer holiday would reduce to 3 weeks.
This is only the start of my enquiries as there are many other factors to be addressed including:
1. the extent of the educational disadvantage created by the current structure,
2. how any additional schoolling would be funded,
3. the opportunity for parents and carers to take children out of school, during term time, for holidays.
The school year, of three terms, was established in 1875 and with just a few minor changes has broadly remained unaltered since then. It's initial design included recognition that many children would be involved in harvesting crops.
The current arrangements act to the educational disadvantage of children, particular those from poorer families, as reading and numeracy skills fall during long periods whilst away from school, such as the current six weeks summer holiday.
There are various proposals to both shorthen the summer holiday and increase the time that children spend at school. One that I have come across proposes a five term year with each term of about nine weeks. This would increase the total time at school from the present 42 weeks to nearer 45 weeks per year. The summer holiday would reduce to 3 weeks.
This is only the start of my enquiries as there are many other factors to be addressed including:
1. the extent of the educational disadvantage created by the current structure,
2. how any additional schoolling would be funded,
3. the opportunity for parents and carers to take children out of school, during term time, for holidays.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Poverty
I'm very pleased that Cornwall Council's Children, Education and Families Scrutiny Committee has decided to carry out an in-depth review of deprivation and children's poverty. Cornwall and its people suffer greatly from poverty. That is not just financial poverty resulting from low wages (in inself a reflection of an inbalance betweeen low and high skilled jobs) but also, more importantly, poverty of aspiration. That lack of aspiration is clearly not universal. However the positive areas of progress do not mask the continuing real need for major improvements.
Some individuals will find this lack of aspiration difficult to accept. Some may not realise what they can achieve. Some may choose to deny it. However the evidence indicates that part of Cornwall's progress, towards achieving acceptable living standards and well being for all of its population, does require major and effective changes to be pout in place.
The Coalition Government has, quite rightly, maintained the previous Government's target of eradicating children's poverty by 2020. Ten years seems like a long time. It is not in the context of what needs to be done particularly as it should be done sooner rather than later.
The councillors involved in this review will take evidence from a variety of sources including some organisations and individuals deeply involved in the subject. However anyone who has any thoughts, ideas or suggestions on this topic is invited to contact me; 01872 865407 or chridgers@cornwall.gov.gov.uk
Some individuals will find this lack of aspiration difficult to accept. Some may not realise what they can achieve. Some may choose to deny it. However the evidence indicates that part of Cornwall's progress, towards achieving acceptable living standards and well being for all of its population, does require major and effective changes to be pout in place.
The Coalition Government has, quite rightly, maintained the previous Government's target of eradicating children's poverty by 2020. Ten years seems like a long time. It is not in the context of what needs to be done particularly as it should be done sooner rather than later.
The councillors involved in this review will take evidence from a variety of sources including some organisations and individuals deeply involved in the subject. However anyone who has any thoughts, ideas or suggestions on this topic is invited to contact me; 01872 865407 or chridgers@cornwall.gov.gov.uk
Monday, 23 August 2010
Spending Cuts
The coming weeks, leading up to and just after the Coalition Government's Spending Review, due on 22 October will be demanding on councillors as they seek to influence the Cornwall Council Cabinet's views on where the spending cuts should fall. Whilst the Cabinet will develop proposals the approval of or change to the Cabinet's proposals are in the hands of all councillors who will vote on the proposed budget.
Of course until the Coalition Government publish their spending details it can only be a matter of estimation and informed opinion as to the size of cuts which will be required in Cornwall.
Within this activity the role of the four scrutiny committees in Cornwall Council, to review the details of the proposed budget, will be pivotal.
Whilst members of the public have had opportunity to influence Goverment policy - http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ - there is a further, and local, set of opportunities to make your views known by asking questions of the scrutiny committees.
Of course until the Coalition Government publish their spending details it can only be a matter of estimation and informed opinion as to the size of cuts which will be required in Cornwall.
Within this activity the role of the four scrutiny committees in Cornwall Council, to review the details of the proposed budget, will be pivotal.
Whilst members of the public have had opportunity to influence Goverment policy - http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ - there is a further, and local, set of opportunities to make your views known by asking questions of the scrutiny committees.
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Lib Dem Defection
Forget about Charles Kennedy.
The obvious big fish, to wake up and smell the coffee, is Nick Clegg.
The obvious big fish, to wake up and smell the coffee, is Nick Clegg.
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