Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/089

Contacts: Vicky Field, Operational HR Manager Tel: (01865) 797196/Mike Bardsley, Interim Head of Adult Learning Tel: (01865) 428013

Report by Interim Deputy Director (Oxfordshire Customer Services) (CMDSSC4).

Adult Learning fees, discounts and fee remissions have not changed for some time. This report looks at the reasons why change is now required and gives detailed recommendations for establishing a new fee structure and making changes to the current arrangements for fee discounts and remissions. The recommendations take account of changes in Skills Funding Agency policy and seek to anticipate changes that will be introduced as a result of a current consultation process. The report also indicates how Adult Learning could strengthen its Equalities practice by adopting a more differentiated fee structure.

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)               approve the fees schedule for 2011/12 as set out in paragraph 2 above and in Annex 1;

(b)               approve the programme-specific fees for 2011/12 as set out in paragraph 3 above and in Annex 1;

(c)               approve the changes to discounts policy for 2011/12 as set out in paragraph 4 above; and

(d)               approve the changes to fee remission policy for 2011/12 as set out in paragraph 5 above.

The Cabinet Member AGREED  to (revisions to officer recommendations in bold italics):

(a)               approve the fees schedule for 2011/12, as set out in paragraph 2 above and in Annex 1;

(b)               approve the programme-specific fees for 2011/12, as set out in paragraph 3 above and in Annex 1;

(c)               approve the changes to discounts policy for 2011/12, as set out in paragraph 4 above;

(d)               approve the changes to fee remission policy for 2011/12, as set out in paragraph 5 above;

(e)              instruct the officers to carry out a regular annual review of the Fees Policy in the future; and

(f)                instruct the Head of Strategy & Communications to carry out good media coverage to ensure that that the public are aware that it is a fairer system and that it reaches those learners who need financial support.