Minutes for Appeals Committee meeting, Sep 3 2009, 10.00AM official page

No apologies for absence were received.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor M. Fearn be appointed Chair for this meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 August 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interest were received.

To consider passing the following resolution:

That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph …. of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.  The Public Interest Test has been applied and favours exclusion of the information from the Press and Public.

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.  The Public Interest Test had been applied and favoured exclusion of the information to the press and public.

Report of the Head of Business and Support –

Children’s Services Department

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Children’s Services on the above appeal against the refusal of a Discretionary Major Award in respect of attendance at Phil Winston’s Theatre Works.

RESOLVED: That

(1)

in view of this student’s excellent academic progress to date, the appeal be allowed and a Discretionary Major Award be approved for her attendance on the second and third years of the course referred to, limited to a maximum tuition fee of £1,925 which is 50% of the actual tuition fee amount of £3,850; and a Maintenance Grant of up to £1,875 per annum to be means tested on parental income; and

(2)

the tuition fees be payable subject to the student passing the first year examinations for the course.

Report of the Head of Business and Support –

Children’s Services Department

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Children’s Services on the above appeal against the refusal of a Discretionary Major Award in respect of attendance at the Dolphin Dance Studios.

RESOLVED:

That in view of this student’s excellent academic progress to date, the appeal be allowed and a Discretionary Major Award be approved for her attendance on the second and third years of the course referred to, limited to a maximum tuition fee of £2,250, which is 50% of the actual tuition fee amount of £4,500; and a Maintenance Grant of up to £1,875, per annum to be means tested on parental income.

Report of the Head of Business and Support –

Children’s Services Department

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director - Children’s Services on the above appeal against the refusal of a Discretionary Major Award in respect of attendance at the Dolphin Dance Studios.

RESOLVED:

That in view of this student’s excellent academic progress to date, the appeal be allowed and a Discretionary Major Award be approved for her attendance on the second and third years of the course referred to, limited to a maximum tuition fee of £2,250, which is 50% of the actual tuition fee amount of £4,500; and a Maintenance Grant of up to £1,875, per annum to be means tested on parental income.

Further to Minute No. 45 of 7 August 2009 and Minute Nos. 52 and 53 above, the Committee discussed the implications of dance and drama students being allowed to bypass the first year of a course and be admitted directly on to the second year, based on ability.

The Committee indicated that if this practice became common policy by colleges, the Council might wish to review its policy on awarding 50% tuition fees to dance and drama students for the second and third years of their courses, subject to them having passed the first year of their course.

RESOLVED:

That the Children’s Services Director be requested to investigate this matter with the college concerned and review the Council’s policy for awarding discretionary grants in the light of the response received.