SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL Cabinet Report 9 Report of: Sonia Sharp ______________________________________________________________ Date: 22 December 2010 ______________________________________________________________ Subject: Strategy update: Our Schools as Community Hubs – The Wider Community use of School Sites ______________________________________________________________ Author of Report: Mark Sheikh 0114 2813768 ______________________________________________________________ Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide an update on progress made to implement the recommendations outlined in the “Our Schools as Community Hubs – The Wider Community Use of School Sites” cabinet paper. ______________________________________________________________ Reasons for Recommendations: Schools and Community Buildings at the centre of community engagement, supported by multi agency teams will not only engage delivery of a better life for children and young people, but will also support development of stronger and more cohesive communities. Schools will be able to provide and host a range of services and activities beyond the school day, making best use of facilities and placing the school at the heart of its community . Recommendations: • To inform Cabinet of the progress so far in the implementation of Our Schools as Community Hubs’ vision for all schools and community buildings to be at the heart of their communities offering wider community services. • To agree to set up a council wide governance framework co-chaired by the Director of Property & Facilities Management Services and the Director of Neighbourhood Renewal and Partnership, to oversee development and delivery of this policy. • To receive an update and an action plan in March 2011 to demonstrate the progress in implementing this policy. 1 ______________________________________________________________ Background Papers: Our schools As Community Hubs – The Wider Community Use of School Sites Category of Report: OPEN 2 Statutory and Council Policy Checklist Financial Implications Yes Cleared by: Allan Rainford Legal Implications Yes Cleared by: Nadine Wynter Equality of Opportunity Implications NO Cleared by: Tackling Health Inequalities Implications NO Human rights Implications NO: Enviro nmental and Sustainability implications NO Economic impact NO Community safety implications NO Human resources implications NO Property implications YES Cleared by: Nalin Seneviratne NTS/043/081010 Area(s) affected All Relevant Cabi net Portfolio Leader Councillor Colin Ross Relevant Scrutiny Committee if decision called in Is the item a matter which is reserved for approval by the City Council? NO Press release YES/NO 3 STRATEGY UPDATE – OUR SCHOOLS AS COMMUNITY HUBS – THE WIDER COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL SITES 1. SUMMARY 1.1. The purpose of this report is to provide an update on progress made to implement the recommendations outlined in the “Our Schools as Community Hubs – The Wider Community Use of Schools Sites” 10 February 2010, cabinet paper. 2. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SHEFFIELD PEOPLE 2.1. This policy envisages the creation of opportunities for local communities to have greater access to school and community buildings. Wider use of school sites for purposes beyond teaching and learning, at times beyond the traditional school day and term, and for people beyond the ages of 3- 18, can help more people achieve and aspire. It can also benefit other local residents by offering more convenient services located together, and bringing people together from various age groups, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds. This policy allows schools to be at the heart of local communities, delivering more services to a wider range of people, and at times which suit them. 3. OUTCOME AND SUSTAINABILITY 3.1. At the heart of this policy lies a clear vision which focuses on both the educational benefits for children and young people, and the wider benefits for adults and community. This vision is endorsed by the schools in the city and will continue to form part of our plans to co-construct a long-term strategic partnership in response to government’s school reforms. 3.2. This policy recognises the primary function of a school building as hosting teaching and learning activities for children and young people, but seeks greater emphasis on the potential for the school to be a community building. In the fullness of time, this policy will enable schools to become centres of learning for everyone in the community, enhanced by a range of complementary services available on site to enable every member of the community to access what they need and when they need it. 3.3. This policy actively seeks opportunities for wider community use of school sites, including the co-location of services, and aims to empower residents in neighbourhoods through community assemblies to set out ideas for how they would like to use their local schools sites. Wherever possible, schools will be part of a viable local centre where people can access basic facilities such as local shops, medical centres, libraries, post offices, job centres and community centres. 4 3.4. The policy will enable delivery of the City of Opportunity priorities of raising aspirations and attainment through increasing parental engagement in their children’s education; vibrant, safe and strong communities through increasing activities which promote strong relationships including between people of different ages and ethnic background; thriving district and local centres through access to basic facilities such as medical centres, libraries and community centres and supporting people to be healthy and independent through use of school sports facilities by the wider local population . 3.5. Schools as community hubs can provide a focus for a stronger sense of community life in localities, with potential to break down inter-generational barriers with greater interaction between young and old, and to promote community cohesion by greater social interaction between people of different social, ethnic and religious backgrounds. 3.6. It allows specific benefits to the community by having access to a wide variety of facilities, which in some case are only available on a school site e.g. sports facilities, performance space, halls and meeting rooms. More Schools and community buildings could be centres for adult learning, enhancing adult qualifications and employability, and provide community sports and leisure services, improving health, fitness and well-being. 3.7. Wider use of schools sites supports improvement to children’s attainment and aspiration by engaging their parents more in school, and by making it easier and more attractive for them to visit school through co-location of other services, especially services for parents. In some locations, schools as community hubs can support and reinforce thriving district centres through bringing more people into an area where retail and commercial premises are also located; e.g. libraries, health facilities, housing offices. 3.8. Cost savings can be achieved from shared common services using the same buildings or sites. Anecdotal evidence suggests that schools are less likely to be vandalised when these sites are used by or host local community groups. 4. Progress since February 2010 4.1 On 10 February 2010, Cabinet agreed to endorse a vision for all schools and community buildings that sees them at the heart of their communities offering wider community services. Over the last six months a number of specific actions have been taken to achieve this vision and to deliver these outcomes. 4.2 The objective of achieving wider community access on school sites has become a key consideration in all capital investment since the policy was adopted. The CYPS capital strategy when presented to Cabinet in 2011, will reflect the Council’s wider community use strategy and future plans for investment across all areas of Children & Young People’s Services, (including extended schools, youth and adult learning) will be coordinated 5 within the strategy and will support this aim. The main achievement to date has been to direct more investment within the current capital programme towards the provision of sports and play facilities on school sites. Other schemes funded through extended schools and other capital schemes are also contributing to the policy. The following is a brief overview of these developments: 4.3 Since the first report in February, we have received confirmation of continued Building Schools for Future funding and agreement on reinvestment of the capital receipt from the Chaucer Business and Enterprise College. Discussion is currently taking place with Partnership for Schools in response to an announcement on the 22 nd of October 2010 by Central Government suggesting that savings would need to be found from BSF schemes. We have been asked to identify potential savings that could be made in the currently planned expenditure of both the construction and ICT funding for all schemes that have yet to reach financial close. Sports and Play Facilities 4.4 Sheffield has created a new local policy whereby all Building Schools for the Future projects that are providing new sports facilities, both indoor and outdoor, will be required to enter into a community use agreement and a facilities management plan, to secure community use of the facilities. 4.5 The proposal for reinvestment of the capital receipt from the disposal of land at Chaucer Business and Enterprise College gives due consideration to wider community use. By the end of