News and press releases
Range Of Issues Under The Microscope
Press release
Education reforms, helping older people to live more independently and reducing alcohol consumption are just some of the issues to come under the spotlight when a Council committee meets next week (Tuesday 13th December).
The Education Act 2011, which received Royal Assent last month, is the first major education reform to come from the current government. The Act covers changes in policy around discipline, qualifications, the curriculum and academies, as well as a reform to student fees and loans and the abolition of several quangos with more power given to the Secretary of State.
Only one of South Tyneside's nine secondary schools is an academy with other schools currently considering the advantages and disadvantages of having the status before applying to the government.
Members of the Select Committee Children and Young People, Independent and Healthy Lives will be considering the implications of the Education Act on South Tyneside and will also receive an update on academies and their impact on local schools, young people and the Council when they meet at South Shields Town Hall.
Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Ernest Gibson said: "We have a number of changes in education to discuss, from the reduction in the responsibilities and remit of the Council in schools with academy status to how the new Education Act will impact on our Borough.
"Committee members can play a part in helping to shape the way the Council best responds to government policies. I'm sure these issues will generate a lot of interesting discussion."
The Committee will also hear about the progress being made to develop an Intermediate Care and Reablement Strategy for South Tyneside and a joint model for delivering these services to improve and maximise the long-term independence of older people.
Councillor Gibson said: "The care of our older people is a very important and emotive issue. This new strategy is about providing care closer to home by offering the very best support for people to help them maintain their independence in their homes or within the community for as long as possible. I'm sure that committee members will be keen to comment on the progress being made on this."
There will also be a presentation from South Tyneside Primary Care Trust about the work underway to reduce the harm caused to people's health by excessive alcohol consumption. Members will get the opportunity to give their views on how the Council can work with its partners to influence people's drinking behaviours.
The meeting is taking place on Tuesday 13th December, at 10am, in the Council Chamber at South Shields Town Hall. Members of the press and public are welcome to attend.
