Agenda item

Outdoor Education: Scrutiny of the service re-provision proposals.

Minutes:

Purpose:

1. To consider the dissolution of the Gwent Outdoor Education Service partnership for which the Council is the lead partner, working with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC), Newport City Council (NCC) and Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC) further to the withdrawal of partner subsidy.

2. To consider the closure of the Talybont Site, returning the site to Newport City Council for disposal, and subsequently to consider the associated staff redundancies if suitable redeployment cannot be found.

3. To engage Select Committee Members in initial ideas on future opportunities for service delivery and to receive a presentation from the Service with a view to return when detailed plans are complete.

 

Key Issues:

1. Gwent Outdoor Education Service (GOES) has three residential centres at Hilston Park near Monmouth, Gilwern and Talybont (in Powys). The Council operates and manages GOES on behalf of the partner authorities i.e. BGCBC, NCC and TCBC, the Council own the Hilston Park and Gilwern sites whilst NCC own the Talybont centre.  The service currently provides around 20,000 visitor days annually, the vast majority being residential school groups from South East Wales.

2. Post local government reorganisation in 1996, the joint service was supported by annual subsidies from the four Local Authority partners. NCC, in 2013 withdrew from the Shared Service Agreement and subsidy arrangements due to financial reasons. In 2016, TCBC decided to apply a tapering reduction in subsidy for 2016/17 reducing to nil subsidy in 2017/18. BGCBC also reduced their subsidy and are considering withdrawal.

3.  Since 2013/14 the Service made a small profit until 2017/18 when income levels dropped slightly. This does not include the cost of building maintenance, grounds maintenance or insurances.  If included in the costs of delivering the service, it has operated at a deficit for four of the last five years. A net overspend of £50,000 is predicted for 2018/19.  Reasonable income has been maintained and future operation needs to be reviewed.  The Shared Service Agreement needs to be ended and subject to approval, this will be terminated from 31st March 2019.

4. Hilston and Gilwern sites are owned by the Council and will remain with the Authority. Talybont will be returned to NCC. The return of the Talybont site to NCC will result in the loss of two posts at Talybont and subsequently, redundancy costs. The Agreement states that if the host authority has to make a redundancy payment, the Authorities should make a fair and reasonable contribution but it is anticipated that this be met from the service budget.

5. There will be new possibilities for service design and delivery particularly if the proposed new Alternative Delivery Model, MonLife, is approved by Council in 2019.  Efforts will be concentrated on two Council owned sites by reviewing staff structures, improving efficiency, increasing income and identifying potential new markets.

 

Member Scrutiny

 

Following a presentation from the Head of Tourism, Leisure, Culture and Youth and Gwent Outdoor Education Centre Officers, questions were invited from Select Committee Members:

 

-       Given the regional drive for educational achievement and innovative curriculum, regional working on health and social care and the pressures on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), it was asked why partner authorities wished to withdraw.  It was responded that the reasons are mainly financial and reflect many years of budget cuts.  The service has continued due to schools’ and/or parents’ funding for what is viewed as a valued service.

-       Other similar facilities are available at Storey Arms, Swansea and Carmarthen.  All Powys CC facilities have been closed.  6 authorities in North Wales funds a shared service.

-       A Member asked why the Talybont site is being closed.  It was explained that prices have risen and it is the most difficult site to fill.  Schools tend to choose 2 ½ day visits instead of 5 day visits; there is a drop off in winter bookings. A large extension provided new accommodation but the money was not available to complete the project to upgrade the Grade 2 listed building and consequently there are lower standard facilities there albeit in a great location.  It was confirmed that it is owned by Newport CC and administered by Monmouthshire CC. Both Gilwern and Hilston Park sites cater for larger numbers.

-       It is unclear if Monmouthshire would have any portion of the capital receipt if the site was sold.

-       A Member shared his very positive experience of a visit with a school commenting on the impressive quality of instruction and the contribution to the health and wellbeing agenda but also recognised that school budgets are under huge pressure.  Opportunities exist but with cross border schools and diversification e.g. for Management training.  Officers confirmed that the priority is to provide services for Monmouthshire schools.

-       A Member asked if there are any unique features at Talybont and it was responded that the location is the best aspect.  Lack of investment, however, has meant operating the service from steel containers, additionally there are licenses for basic activities only.

-       Regarding leadership, the Head of Tourism, Leisure, Culture and Youth confirmed that there are excellent, well qualified staff capable of providing the skills and leadership for the other two sites going forward.

-       Regarding bookings in the school holidays, it was explained that there is work all year round with e.g. the National Citizen Service

-       Regarding diversification, it was confirmed that any new markets would not take precedence over schools.

-       Sales and Marketing posts have been added to publicise and sell services throughout Tourism, Leisure, Culture and Youth. Partnership with students of video marketing was offered.  The importance of careful research was emphasised.

-       A Member supported opportunities to improve outcomes for children especially those from a deprived background.  Work with the international student and schools market was suggested.  Investment and working better together was also supported e.g. making better use of underused facilities like Clydach Village Hall for persons caving and walking in Clydach Gorge.  A question was raised about surplus S106 money for Gilwern and plans for its expenditure.  It was explained that £12,000 will be used by the Youth Service, the remainder is for improvements to Gilwern Village Hall and an update on progress was provided.

-       A Member supported that other facilities in the County could complement future services.  It was strongly suggested that the Select Committee scrutinises proposals going forward.

-       In response to a question about parental contribution, it was explained that the highest charge is £286 per 5 days with reductions in winter and for Free School Meals pupils.  Subsidised places are not offered to pupils from the other authorities that have withdrawn funding. A Member stressed that the main purpose should be confirmed as providing better education for young people.

Text Box: Committee Conclusions: The Chair, on behalf of the Economy and Development Select Committee, summarised views as follows: 1. The Select Committee explored some of the reasons why the other authorities had disinvested in the service and recognised the pressure this placed on the Council. 2. The Select Committee fully explored the issues pertaining to the Talybont Centre. 3. The Committee considered the opportunities for diversification at the Hilston Park and Gilwern Centres including accessing the private sector market for example in respect of business management training and development. In doing so, the Select Committee was clear that research must be robust and welcomed future opportunities for scrutiny. The Committee advocated the use of key data to ensure a good response to the commercial market and to shape future services. 4. The Select Committee were pleased to hear the praise of the leadership and management team; Members shared personal and positive feedback. 5. The Committee considered staffing levels and particularly recognised the importance of sales and marketing going forward to ensure information is efficiently promulgated throughout South Wales, the South West and West Midlands. 6. Whilst seeking new funding streams, the Select Committee wished to ensure that the improved services mainly benefitted children from this and other authorities. 7. The Select Committee questioned use of Section 106 funding and noted that it will be used to double glaze a community facility – more information was to be sought. The Select Committee voted on the recommendations to Cabinet contained in the report and unanimously supported: 1. The approval of the dissolution of the Gwent Outdoor Education Service Partnership with effect from 31st March 2019. 2. The formal closure of the Talybont site on 1st Feb 2019 returning the site to Newport City Council with effect from 28th Feb 2019. 3. The approval of the deletion of two posts i.e. Talybont Site Co-ordinator – Staffing and Environment Education and the site Cook and to approve corresponding redundancy payments, if suitable redeployment cannot be found. The Officers were thanked for their attendance at the meeting.

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