Scrutiny Committee for Development of Lifelong Learning

Membership

25 Non-Executive Members of the County Council, together with 2 voting Church representatives and 3 voting Parent Governor representatives and up to 6 non-voting Co-optees are members of the Scrutiny Committee for the Development of Lifelong Learning.

Chairman’s Welcome

Learning plays a pivotal role, not only in terms of individual personal development and providing greater employment opportunities, but also in the economic and social well being of our County. If we do not have the right people with the right skills, businesses will locate elsewhere.

The ever changing world in which we now live also means that we need to develop and enhance our own skills and knowledge throughout our lives, whether to equip us for new opportunities, or to provide personal fulfilment and satisfaction. The strong sense of identity and culture we have within County Durham also needs to be supported and cherished.

We keep these principles in mind in the work of this Committee.

Councillors

Chair - Jan Blakey

Vice-Chair - Christine Potts

Armstrong, Bailey, A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, Bowman, Brookes, Dixon, Holroyd, Iveson, Lethbridge, Maslin, Paylor, Potts, Savory, Shiell, Simmons, Strandling, Thompson, Wilson

Further information and a full list of all your councillors are available to view.

Co-optees

L Bailey (LSC), O Brown (CDA of Local Councils), Cllr Mrs M Robinson (Parish Council), Mrs E Hunter

Faith Representatives:

The Reverend Sheila Bamber and Peter Mackie.

Parent Governor Representatives

A Tallentire, S McDonnell

The role of a parent governor representative is to represent the views, not just of parent governors, but of all parents in the County. We try to act on behalf of parents and put forward their point of view on issues which arise at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Scrutiny Sub-Committee for the Development of Lifelong Learning. To email any of the parent governor representatives, please click on the relevant name(s) above.

Find out more about becoming a school governor in County Durham here.  

Co-optees

Linda Bailey (Learning and Skills Council), O Brown (CDA of Local Councils rep), Councillor M Robinson (Town and Parish Councils), E Hunter, and 2 vacancies.

Remit of the Committee

To fulfil the Overview and Scrutiny role in relation to:

• All of the functions of the Council as an education authority under relevant Education legislation.
• All functions of the Council insofar as they relate to the provision of opportunities for education, training and learning outside the school environment, including pre-school, adult and communitiy learning.
• All of the Council's functions in relation to the arts and sport to enhance the quality of life for local people.
• The provision and management of museums, art galleries, archives and local history activities, libraries and other like facilities.

The following strategic objectives -

• To improve provision of early learning for our children
• To improve educational attainment for all children in our schools and inspire them to enjoy learning throughout their lives
• To provide high quality learning opportunities for all to gain enjoyment, achievement, progression and enhanced employment projects.
• To support the development of an adaptable and skilled workforce.
• To improve recreational, creative and cultural opportunities and promote a sense of cultural identity.
• To consider relevant plans and strategies relating to the Committee's area of responsibility.

Calendar of Meetings

Papers for Meetings of the Sub-Committee

View reports and papers for previous meetings of the Scrutiny Committee for Lifelong Learning or view reports and papers for forthcoming meetings of the County Council (including the Scrutiny Committee for the Development of Lifelong Learning). Papers are normally available 4 - 5 working days before each meeting on the Forthcoming Papers Section of the County Council website.

Current Work Programme

Completed Projects and Reviews

*A Project is a new area of scrutiny being undertaken. A Review usually relates to a previous area of scrutiny which has concluded, but is being re-visited to ensure to what extent any previous recommendations or proposals have been implemented.

Suggest an Issue or Topic for us to Examine

Have your say and suggest an issue or topic you would like us to examine on the Development of Lifelong Learning. Whilst we cannot guarantee that an investigation into every suggestion will be undertaken, we do want to hear your views and all comments and suggestions will be fully considered.