MC apologised for his absence from some of the earlier meetings.

These were accepted as a true record.

Liz Andelin to replace Julia Raines on the Steering Group.

Report from the DfES meeting in London this week from PG and JW.

· Key questions to DfES concerning finance and affordability gap still not answered.

· Expect Ministerial announcement next week on how £290m is to be shared.

· Exemplar designs provided by DfES – LEA expected to work with at least one.

JW - a series of meetings taking place to inform Governors – Facilities Management (FM) agenda item. Headteachers’ meeting 30 Sept. FM Task Group to be established with representation required from the Steering Group. First meeting 8 October, 6 pm, Future House. ‘Soft’ FM (support services, cleaning, catering etc) particularly crucial to special schools. Recommended that Health be represented, decision required of who should join the FM Task Group. Nominations to JW.

MC – pressing issues:

1) Can the Council afford the £3.9m gap for the 3 secondary schools? Need to work with the DfES to ensure certainty.

2) To make a strong case for including the new primary special schools within Pathfinder.

CH – A steer required from DfES by mid October since targeted capital funding deadline brought forward to 31 October 2003.

HS – Education Overview and Scrutiny very satisfied with the consultation process. The process has continued with 1 hour radio programme on SEN issues, consultation meetings, use of the Website and letters to PRUs. A greater understanding in Health coming from the consultation meetings. Two levels of engagement with Health – staffing and planning.

MC suggested that SEN Reorganisation item be placed on agenda with CXs of Health organisations. Generally welcomed.

Buildings (Pathfinder): First meeting next Wednesday.

Buildings (Vision into Practice): Meeting next Wednesday to take things forward. Group members have identified areas within the school and have produced a specification for some examples.

Buildings (Transition): Group remit tabled in Brian Dobson’s absence. Comments to Brian as soon as possible, otherwise taken as read.

HR (Staffing): The first, of a series, of meetings arranged with Unions on Monday concerning staffing implications. Essential to keep staff informed of progress and where possible to work towards maintaining current links between staff and children within each school. Headteacher and Deputy HT posts can now be ringfenced.

CH – Temple Bank has a much shorter timescale and subsequently it is crucial to resolve issues quickly.

HR (Staff Training): Met and discussed a) funding for this fiscal year, and b) developing links with Bradford College.

Possible approach to Health for training of support staff. Possibility of Health colleagues joining the group to look at scope/broad programmes. SG commented that so far the work on training was very valuable.

Communications: Yet to be formed. JW and LS to meet to take forward. Each subgroup to be represented.

LS reminded subgroups that the Timelines and Action Plans were due for completion by October. Exemplar action plan provided by Training subgroup. Further copies from CH. Suggestion to work backwards from deadlines. JW to forward key dates.

CH commented that a substantial amount of paperwork was beginning to be exchanged. Communication subgroup to investigate a web-based document access point.

MC – two impending issues:

HS has estimates of staffing in post at 2006.

RH – where does the development of Children Centres lie in relation to SEN Reorganisation? It was appreciated that one will impact on the other but until decisions concerning configuration of services have been decided, and Executive approval given, it will be difficult to take things forward. It was appreciated that coordination was essential between the two areas to avoid divergence. Early Years and SEN group established, with remit to include proposals for future specialist provision. Early Years and SEN update to be future standing item on agenda.

Request for a Health subgroup - and to include social services. Agenda item for next meeting.

It was agreed to include the provision of respite care in the SEN Review. Existing provision in Keighley (Clockhouse) very limited. HS aware of this and requested discussion with Social Services who have not yet responded.

Friday, 26 September 2003, 10.30 am, Committee Room 3, City Hall.