Issue - meetings

The Adult Learning Service has moved from the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee to this Committee’s terms of reference. The Strategy Manager will give the Committee a presentation giving Members an outline of this service.

Discussion:

The Assistant Director of Organisational Services introduced the report advising that the Medway Adult and Community Learning Services (MACLS) had been added to her service’s remit and was now within the terms of reference of this committee.

The Service Manager gave a presentation outlining: the variety of over 1,000 courses; 72 locations across Medway; specific wards that were being targeted; enrolment statistics; participation by the public and employers and a 99% satisfaction rate from the service users. The committee was also advised that the adult learning service was breaking even financially with £2.5 million each year received in grants from the government and other income generated to provide the services.

The committee asked about:

·        courses for English as a foreign language and English as a first language

·        concessions for users on low incomes or for people over 60 years of age

·        all children’s centres used as a location for services

·        provision in Luton and Wayfield and Chatham Central wards

·        consideration of providing licensing courses and a request for officers to contact the Licensing Department to discuss this further

·        Ofsted ratings.

Decision:

The committee noted the work of the Medway Adult and Community Learning Service.

The Adult Learning Service has moved from the Children and Adults Overview and Scrutiny Committee to this committee’s terms of reference. The Strategy Manager will give the Committee a presentation giving Members an outline of this service.