Issue - meetings

Cllr Lionel Grundy, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services presented a report on the outcome of the consultation on adult education in Wiltshire, and invited the Cabinet to determine the future role of Wiltshire Council in the provision of this service.

This followed the Cabinet decision dated 17 January 2012 which included the disposal of Urchfont Manor (as part of the transformation programme) and noted that future adult education service provision would be determined by Cabinet following consultation. Cabinet was therefore asked to consider the results of the consultation exercise undertaken. Details of the consultation arrangements which included Area Boards were presented.

Informal adult education was a non-statutory service and therefore, the Council was able to decide the extent of its involvement in the planning and provision of the service and balance it against the financial pressures on the Council particularly in its provision of statutory services.

The available options were explained as presented in the report. An earlier version of the report was considered by the Children’s Services Select Committee on 26 July 2012. The Committee had recommended the adoption of options 2 and 3 as presented in the report; namely:

·         to facilitate the provision of informal adult education at a local level;

·         to co-ordinate and promote informal adult learning opportunities offered across the County.

It was noted that the level of response to the public consultation indicated that     the provision of adult education was of concern to many people in Wiltshire who wished to be able to access provision reasonably near their homes and for a reasonable price. Responses from outside of Wiltshire mainly related to a desire for continued residential education as provided by Urchfont Manor College.

Cllr Grundy thanked Simon Burke for all his hard work in bringing this complex matter forward

Resolved:

That Cabinet agree:

a)          that the Council adopt the role to facilitate the provision of informal adult education at a local level;

b)          to approve the appointment of a 0.6 full-time equivalent part-time adult education officer to work with local community networks to develop a sustainable locally-based adult education provision including information on, and promotion of, opportunities and

c)          To allocate budget of £32,000 from the revenue savings accrued from the closure of Urchfont Manor College to meet the costs associated with the appointment.

Reason for Decision:

The Council has been a direct provider of informal adult education through Urchfont Manor College until its closure on 3 September 2012.  The Cabinet therefore needs to determine whether the Council should continue to be a direct provider or take another, or no, role in respect of informal adult education.