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Minutes of a meeting held on 9th December, 2013.
Present: Councillor N.P. Hodges (Chairman); Councillors: Mrs. M.E.J. Birch, Ms. K. Edmunds, H.C. Hamilton, F.T. Johnson, A. Parker, R.A. Penrose and E. Williams.
Co-opted Members: Mr. P. Burke (Roman Catholic Church); Dr. C. Brown (Parent Governor - Secondary Sector) and Mr. L. Kellaway (Parent Governor - Primary Sector).
Non-Voting Observer: Ms. T. Young (Secondary).
Also present: Councillor C.P.J. Elmore, Dr. I.J. Johnson, N. Moore and S.T. Wiliam.
These were received from Councillor Ms. R. Birch (Vice-Chairman) and Councillor T.H. Jarvie.
RECOMMENDED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 11th November, 2013 be approved as a correct record.
The following declarations were received :-
Councillor N.P. Hodges (Chairman) – Agenda Item No. 11 – he was a school governor at Ysgol Gwaun y Nant.
Mr. L. Kellaway – Agenda Item No. 10 – a family member worked at the library; and
Ms. T. Young – Agenda Item Nos. 6 and 8 – she was a teacher at Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School.
Representatives from the Central South Consortium Joint Education Service were in attendance and advised the Committee on the role of school improvement within the Consortium.
Tabled at the meeting was a copy of the presentation for Members' information. Mr. Robert Hopkins, Head of Service for School Improvement, commenced by advising that the statement of ambition and intent was to ensure the best for all our learners, strong partnerships and that every child in every school had the potential to do as well in school as any other in Wales and beyond. There were three key priorities: excellence in teaching, excellence in leadership and excellence in challenge and support.
With regard to the Vale of Glamorgan the Vale inspection outcomes were reported as follows:
All schools had been categorised in one of four categories of effectiveness i.e. A to D, the reasons for the category indicated what needed to be the focus for improvement with improving standards being at the heart of the process.
Mr. Hopkins introduced Mr. Paul Wolstenholme, who was one of five senior system leaders across the Consortium whose role was to focus on the relationship between the Vale and to work with senior officers within the Authority, for example the Head of Service for School Improvement. System leaders were also attached to each school. Members were advised standards were higher in many Vale schools when compared with others in the rest of the region. However, there were variations and overall expectations in pupils' achievements were not as high as they should be. The categorisation system had identified that there had been some improvement in primary schools but not in the secondary schools. Mr. Hopkins stated that half of the primary schools were in category A, a fifth in category C, none in category D, whereas for the secondary sector fewer schools were in categories A and B and two thirds were in categories C and D.
One of the aims of the Consortium was to ensure that best practice throughout the Consortium was established to build capacity across all schools and one of the benefits of working regionally was that it provided greater scale, access to school-to-school support and programmes with strong track records of success. In advising how the Consortium worked with all local authorities it was noted that local authorities commissioned the part of the school improvement service involving challenge and support, a system leader provided guidance to each school, the senior system leader oversees and quality assures the work of the system leaders and there was an established framework that guided the challenge, support, monitoring and intervention work of system leaders. An annual report on schools' progress would be provided by the Consortium. Every school receives an annual performance review report.
In referring to the support that was currently in place for both under performing and high performing schools, Mr. Hopkins referred to the outstanding teacher programme, the improving teacher programme and achievement for all. There were also national initiatives that were currently being rolled out in partnership with the CSC, which included the literacy and numeracy framework. The Consortium also provided training to support the implementation of national programmes. Bespoke support for individual schools was provided in response to the commission from the Vale. The Education London model focused on improving outcomes at Level 2 including English and Maths, and was currently working with two schools in the Vale i.e. Llantwit Major and St. Cyres. Support was provided by specialists with experience of working with the London Challenge. The support commissioned by schools from Links was available for all schools to buy in or could be provided following the identification of need by the system leader, the focus being on building capacity not on one off events or courses. There were also long term programmes of support in literacy, numeracy, reducing low achievement, leadership, teaching, Welsh and emerging technologies. The schools contact Links, the service facilities support and commission other expertise or supports schools to work with one another.
At this point Mr. Hopkins introduced Jayne Edwards, the Head of Service for Links to the Committee, who proceeded to advise the Committee in relation to the graph which identified the percentage of Vale schools that were using Links to provide support between April 2013 and to date. Reference was also made to the issue of improving attendance with it being noted that guidance had been provided to schools, the provision of audit tools to assist schools in identifying strengths and aspects that needed to be improved, the evaluation of attendance in an annual report on performance and making the link between attendance and achievement. Mr. Hopkins advised that throughout the process there would be half termly progress reporting which would be shared with senior officers within the local authority.
In response to concerns from Members regarding how progress can be maintained, it was noted that the data collection of information was now more timely and was being reported earlier. There was now a collation of the schools expected outcomes which was based on pupils' current performance that allowed the system leaders to see what the school was doing in respect of the current position. All schools would have to have in place a system of monitoring for each term, some schools were also entering pupils earlier than normal for exams which had assisted in the data collection. As a result of all these measures snap shots were being taken at regular intervals throughout the year while reasonable progress was being made.
Further work was also to be undertaken in relation to the reliability of teacher assessments to try and strengthen and assist the process. An important element here was how teachers responded to needs when they were identified. Catch up programmes had also been established.
With regard to a query as to 'what if a school did not wish to engage in the process', the Head of Service for the JES advised that this would be an issue that would be taken back to the relevant local authority for it to consider statutory intervention if necessary. To date that has not been an issue.
Reference was also made to the role of governors in the process and the need for that role to hold the school to account. It was accepted that some governors may not like to ask probing questions and that more training should be provided to governors to assist them. The Chairman stated that he hoped that any issues in connection with the role of Governors would be referred to the Council for consideration. Mr. Hopkins advised that it was in the interest of the JES to be open and transparent with all the local authorities.
In referring to the spreadsheet that had been tabled at the meeting Members requested that more detailed information in relation to the projects be provided in due course and e-mailed to all Members of the Committee together with Llantwit Major and its support programmes being included in the list.
The Chairman queried the capacity of the Links service to provide extra support if required by schools with the Head of Service for Links advising that funding would be carefully monitored to ensure that the funds were being directed into the right areas. It was important that the service developed as schools improved, with schools being stretched and monitored for improvement. The Consortium needed to be in a position to have outstanding schools in order that good practice could be cascaded throughout the region.
In response to a question regarding why the Consortium was only considering benchmarking with Wales and whether England benchmarking or even beyond the UK should take place, the Head of Service for the JES concurred that benchmarking with the rest of the UK was relevant and that schools should be ambitious. The Senior System Leader also in response stated that he had recently benchmarked against another local authority namely Birmingham and good practice would be shared.
The level of attendance at schools was also raised with it being noted that the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to consider the issue at future meeting, This was welcomed by the Consortium representatives who although aware that the matter was the responsibility of the governing bodies, suggested that direction and leadership from the Council itself would assist.
Members queried how the JES was going to be held to account, aware that the joint scrutiny arrangements that were intended had not reached fruition. In response Mr. Hopkins advised that a number of regulators would inspect the service however, he would be more than happy to meet with the Committee on a regular basis to apprise on progress.
Following the discussion the Chairman thanked the representatives from the JES for their attendance and presentation and stated that with Committee approval a programme would be developed to invite representatives from the JES to future meetings of the Committee. All Members concurred with this suggestion in order that they could be assured of progress, improvements and to hold the JES to account in view of their scrutinising role.
The Cabinet Member for Children's Services, in presenting the report, advised that the Wales Audit Office had made the following four proposals:
The Council should establish and refine a performance management regime which will formally and systematically test the extent to which the Joint Education Service (JES) was providing a service that delivers to its expectations.
The Council should undertake a risk assessment of the impact of the JES and update it on a regular basis. It should include any high scoring strategic risks in its corporate risk register. The Education and Skills Directorate should regularly and formally monitor and manage the remainder.
The Council should ensure that there is sufficient investment in the development of the scrutiny function (in the Council and within the collaborative structure), including regular reviews of its success and challenges, as it becomes a feature of the performance management regime.
The Council should consider how the value of the service can be increased during the period of the contract, to justify the fixed contribution to the service.
It was further noted that work to address the four proposals had been taken forward as follows:
Members in referring to progress of the Joint Scrutiny Committee were advised by the Chief Learning and Skills officer that the current position was not known although there had been some suggestion that joint scrutiny of this nature may not be the way forward.
Notwithstanding the above, work remained to be completed and put in place in regard to robust arrangements to demonstrate an increased value for money in relation to the Joint Education Service. From April 2014 the Welsh Government, on the basis of a national model for regional working, was expected to stipulate the level of funding that the Council must provide to the JES by way of a ring fencing agreement as well as the services that must be provided.
The Chairman in conclusion referred to the earlier approval in the meeting that a work programme schedule be established where representatives of the CSC would be invited to Committee meetings and noting that an annual report would be presented to the Scrutiny Committee in due course.
Having considered the report it was subsequently
(1) T H A T the actions taken in response to the proposals in the Wales Audit Office report be endorsed.
(2) T H A T the Scrutiny Committee establishes a programme of work to scrutinise the Joint Education Service.
(3) T H A T the report and the above recommendation be referred to Cabinet in order to advise of the intention of the Scrutiny Committee to hold the Joint Education Service to account.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) In recognition of the actions taken and proposed.
(2) In respect of the Scrutiny Committee's monitoring role.
(3) In order to advise Cabinet of the Scrutiny Committee's intention.
Similarly to the Scrutiny Committee Cabinet had received a report on school performance at its meeting on 18th November, 2013. Included in that report to Cabinet was also reference to the school progress meetings that had been set up to consider schools performance. The report suggested that similar panels be also convened for St. Cyres, Bryn Hafren and Barry Comprehensive Schools following which it was subsequently
RECOMMENDED – T H A T individual school progress meetings be set up with St. Cyres, Bryn Hafren and Barry Comprehensive Schools be set up as soon as possible.
Reason for recommendation
To ensure processes were in place for performance improvement..
N.B. Ms. T. Young vacated the room whilst this item was being considered.
The Council was required, under statute, to fix the level of Council Tax for 2014/15 by 11th March 2014 and in order to do so would have to agree a balanced Revenue Budget by the same date. To be in a position to meet the statutory deadlines and requirements for consultation as set out within the Council's Constitution, much of the work on quantifying the resource requirements of individual services needed to be carried out before the final Revenue Support Grant (RSG) settlement was notified to the Council. The Council's provisional settlement was announced on 16th October, 2013. The Council's Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) represented the Welsh Government's (WG) view of the relative resources required to provide a standard level of service in each local authority in Wales and its primary use was to allocate RSG to these authorities. For 2014/15 the Council's provisional SSA was £214.384m.
The Council had also been advised by the WG of its 2014/15 allocation in relation to RSG (£118.834m) and NNDR (£38.941m). Together, these sums constituted the Council's Aggregate External Finance (AEF). This represented a cash reduction of 4.5% (£7.4m) for 2014/15 and was a larger reduction than the 4% projected in the Council's Medium Term Financial Plan.
The Council would also receive a sum provisionally set at £1.236m via the Outcome Agreement Grant (OAG) for 2014/15. This grant was an unhypothecated grant (i.e. not earmarked for particular services). It was noted that the Council was not necessarily guaranteed to receive the full amount of the OAG. The amount for 2014/15 would be determined by a rating score of the Council's performance in achieving its 2013/14 Outcome Agreement targets.
There were transfers into the RSG settlement for 2014/15 as follows:
Council Tax Reduction Scheme Administration Subsidy - £177k. This was previously received as a direct grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.
It was the Council's contention that WG had not included all the required adjustments to make the AEF comparative between years and that there was an actual cash reduction to the Council of 4.9%. As part of the consultation process on the provisional settlement, the Leader of the Council was responding to WG on this issue. Pay and price inflation results in a much higher decrease in real terms. The September Consumer Price Index stood at 2.7%.
WG had provided an indicative settlement figure for 2015/16 which showed a further cash reduction of 1.63% (£2.6m). The MTFP was based on a cash reduction of 4%. WG had not given any indication as to the level of settlement for 2016/17, however the MTFP was based on a further 4% cash reduction. The assumptions made in the MTFP would, therefore, be reconsidered by the Budget Working Group (BWG) as part of the final budget proposals.
With regard to the revised budget for 2013/14, Appendix 1 to the report set out the necessary adjustments to the original estimate for this period.
The following table compared the amended budget with the projected outturn for 2013/14:
(-) Adverse
Learning and Skills
Education and Schools
Lifelong Learning
Youth Service
Grand Total
The Cabinet approved the Budget Strategy for 2014/15 on 29th July 2013 and, as in previous years, required all Directors to make the following provisions:
Supplementary estimates would only increase the base budget if Council had given specific approval to this effect. Increases met by virement within a year would not be treated as committed growth.
Directors should find the cost of increments and staff changes from their base budget unless the relevant specific approval had been given for additional funding.
The effect of replacing grant from outside bodies that had discontinued would not be treated as committed growth. In addition, before any project or initiative that was to be met either wholly or partly by way of grant may proceed, the exit strategy must be approved.
Certain items of unavoidable committed growth would continue and these include the effect of interest changes and the financing cost of the Capital Programme, increases in taxes, increases in levies and precepts charged by outside bodies and changes to housing benefits net expenditure.
Services would be expected to identify and achieve recurrent efficiency and other savings, including (but not restricted to) those identified in the Interim Medium Term Financial Plan.
It was envisaged that the costs of service development would need to be met from within the respective Directorates.
Having regard to the above, it was, therefore, proposed in respect of the 2014/15 Budget Strategy that Directors be instructed to prepare initial revenue budgets for 2014/15, in accordance with a timetable agreed by the Director of Resources. Preparation should be on the following basis:
As a result of the reduction in the provisional settlement, the Authority would now have to identify additional savings to those originally approved for 2014/15. It had also been necessary to revisit the cost pressures facing services in order to build up a complete and up to date picture of the financial position of the Council. The updated list of cost pressures for this Committee was shown in Appendix 2 to the report. These were not shown in any order of priority.
When approving the Budget Strategy for 2014/15, Directors had been asked to consider bringing forward the implementation of future years' savings ahead of the scheduled date. This message was reinforced by Cabinet when approving the MTFP, where Directors were also asked to identify additional areas for savings.
The 2013/14 budget included approved savings targets for the years 2014/15 to 2016/17. Directors had assessed future year savings in order to establish those that can be brought forward to supplement the 2014/15 savings. In doing so, regard had been given to those savings which are time bound and cannot be accelerated. Details of the approved areas for savings for 2014/15 for this Committee, together with proposals for savings to be brought forward were attached at Appendix 3 to the report. The savings did not include the cost of potential redundancies.
A summary of the overall base budget for 2014/15 was attached at Appendix 4 to the report. This had been arrived at by adjusting the 2013/14 budget for items such as inflation and unavoidable growth, but did not include identified cost pressures or savings. These were shown as a note to the table and were further detailed in Appendices 2 and 3 respectively. The total cost pressures for 2014/15 for the services within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee were noted at £1,988.
Once the base budget for 2014/15 for the Council as a whole had been established, it would then be compared to the funding available to identify the extent of any shortfall. With a provisional AEF of £157.775m and Council Tax at a current level of £53.567m, total available funding would be £211.342m. When compared to a base budget of £221.196m, this would result in a funding shortfall for 2014/15 of £9.854m. This shortfall was mainly attributable to the reduction in funding from WG, an increase in pay and price inflation and the requirement to fund committed growth.
If all identified cost pressures were funded for the whole of the Council, this would increase the shortfall to £15.838m. If all proposed savings were achieved for the whole of the Council, the shortfall would be reduced to £8.539m as shown in the table below.
Projected Budget Shortfall 2014/15
Funding Available
Provisional AEF
Council Tax
Provisional Funding Available
Base Budget
Provisional Shortfall Against Base Budget
Assume all Cost Pressures funded
Provisional Shortfall with Cost Pressures funded
Assume all Savings Achieved
Provisional Projected Shortfall for 2014/15
This level of shortfall was unprecedented.
Further work would be undertaken by the BWG when formulating the final budget proposals for 2014/15, which would include a review of the use of reserves, a possible increase in Council Tax, a review of all cost pressures, possible savings and the current financial strategies, in order to achieve a balanced budget. The BWG would also look at the impact on the 2015/16 budget.
It would be extremely difficult in the short term to meet all of the budget shortfall through further savings next year. This may require consideration of the use of substantial levels of reserves in 2014/15, thus allowing a more thorough review of options for savings and their implications, alternative methods of service delivery and collaborative ventures.
The General Fund Reserve as at 31st March 2014 was projected to stand at £11.858m. The 2014/15 base budget proposal included the use of £1.5m from the General Fund reserve. Cost pressures for 2014/15 include £500k for a reduction in the use of reserves, in line with the existing financial strategy. A further reduction of £500k was also scheduled for 2015/16. In light of the unprecedented funding shortfall, this strategy needed to be reviewed. At this stage, it was proposed that a use of reserves to a maximum of £3.5m could be used in 2014/15. The Section 151 Officer believed that the minimum balance on the General Fund Reserve should be no less than £7m.
The use of reserves to fund recurring expenditure can only be countenanced as part of a specific strategy to achieve a balanced budget in future years. The consequence of such actions will be to increase the level of savings required in 2015/16 onwards.
In terms of the role of the Cabinet Budget Working Group, this Group would be holding a series of meetings with the relevant Cabinet Members and officers to consider the budget proposals. Any recommendations from this Group would be submitted so that the Cabinet could make its final budget proposal by no later than 24th February 2014; before making its recommendation the Cabinet Budget Working Group would consider the comments made by all the Council's Scrutiny Committees.
The Cabinet's final budget proposals would be considered by Council on 5th March 2014.
Members in considering the report reflected on the position with regard to the budget pressures facing the Council, agreed that the Budget Working Group would have a difficult task and with regret subsequently
(1) T H A T the amended budget for 2013/14 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted.
(2) T H A T the initial Revenue Budget proposals for 2014/15 be noted.
(1) In acknowledgement of the Scrutiny Committee's responsibility for monitoring the budget.
(2) With regard to the budget constraints facing the Authority.
Set out at Appendix A to the report were full details of the progress on the Capital Programme as at 30th September 2013.
The report also referred to a carry forward of £146,000 for Oakfield Primary school that had been requested from the Oakfield new entrance and reception area scheme to 2014/15, when the funding would be used for pitches, external play and woodland school facilities as part of the 21st Century Schools funded proposals for Ysgol Gwaun y Nant and Oakfield Primary School. Cabinet had also agreed that further information would be provided where schemes had a value of over £500,000 and showed a variance of 20% or more. The following schemes met this criteria -
Learning in Digital (Wales) Grant - A large order £470,000 had been placed during September which would rectify the discrepancy between the profile and actual expenditure and ensure the grant was fully spent by the grant deadline in December 2013.
Ysgol Nant Talwg, Barry - The variance between actuals to date at the end of September and profiled budget had been due to a delay in issuing a certificate of payment. All required information was now in place and a payment made in October which brought the actuals to date in line with the profiled expenditure.
The Welsh Government (WG) had announced the provisional 2014/15 General Capital Funding on 16th October 2013. The 2014/15 capital settlement represented a £246,000 (4.7%) increase in funding over the previous year's allocation; however because this amount included the reinstatement of £280,000 transferred to supported borrowing for the Housing Revenue Account in 2013/14, the actual position for the Council was a reduction of £34,000 which represents a 0.61% cut. The indicative amount provided by WG suggested that capital funding will be maintained at this level for 2015/16. This has been reflected in the proposed Capital Programme 2014/15 to 2018/19.
Whilst the indicative amounts had been utilised in 2014/15 and 2015/16, for the purposes of this programme, the assumption of a 10% cut each year had been assumed in 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19. In line with the financial strategy, the Council would mitigate the deteriorating situation by looking to progress only those schemes which were deemed to be a key corporate priority, whilst also seeking to gain assurance that such schemes were delivered on time and within budget.
In addition to funding from the WG, the Council would finance part of the Capital Programme from its own resources, e.g. Capital Receipts and Reserves. Set out in Appendix B was the proposed 2014/15 to 2018/19 Capital Programme for services under the Committee's remit.
Analysis of Net Funding Required for the Indicative 2014/15 Capital Programme
Welsh Government Resources
Supported Borrowing
General Capital Grant
Council Resources
Capital Receipts
Unsupported Borrowing
Net Capital Resources
Housing Reserves
Housing Capital Receipts
Housing Unsupported Borrowing
Capital bids had been invited for return by 30th September 2013 and the number of bids received was reduced from the high volume in the previous year. This reduction reflected that the Capital Programme had been set to 2017/18 following the budget review that took place as part of the 2013/14 budget process. Departments were requested to rank their own bids in order of importance before submission, and bids from each Department were forwarded to the Corporate Asset Management Group (CAMG) for evaluation.
The Budget Working Group had prioritised bids based upon the recommendations of the CAMG and were shown in Appendix B. The method of prioritisation used in the Council's Capital Investment Strategy was set out in the report for information. Only those schemes assessed as corporate priority 1 or medium risk and above were included.
In addition to bids meeting the criteria for inclusion in the Capital Programme, there had been a number of changes approved by Cabinet since the final budget proposals in February 2013 that impacted on the Capital Programme, such as, amendments to the budgets carried forward and these changes were included. Also reflected in Appendix B were proposed changes to the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan.
As in the case of the consideration of the Initial Revenue Budget Proposals, similar arrangements were in place for the Scrutiny Committees to pass their comments to the Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) who would, on behalf of all the Council's Scrutiny Committees, formally respond to Cabinet by no later than 13th December 2013. However, Scrutiny Committees were being asked to first consider the indicative Capital Proposals as set out in Appendix B. If a change to the initial proposals was desired, the Scrutiny Committee was required to provide a reason for this need in order to assist the Cabinet and the CBWG in their deliberation when drawing up the final proposals. The total net capital expenditure of the proposed programme for the whole of the Council over the five years was over £102m.
Managers would be asked to revisit the schemes listed in Appendix B and to confirm final cost and spend profiles prior to the final proposals being considered by Cabinet by no later than 24th February, 2014. Cabinet's final Capital Programme proposals would be considered by Council no later than 5th March, 2013.
If the schemes proposed for the whole of the Council were approved, the effects on General Fund useable capital receipts were as follows:
General Fund Capital Receipts
Anticipated Balance as at 1st April 2014
Anticipated Requirements – 2014/15
Anticipated Receipts – 2014/15
Balance as at 31st March 2015
Anticipated Requirements – 2015/16
Anticipated Receipts – 2015/16
Balance as at 31st March 2016
Anticipated Requirements – 2016/17
Anticipated Receipts – 2016/17
Balance as at 31st March 2017
Anticipated Requirements – 2017/18
Anticipated Receipts – 2017/18
Balance as at 31st March 2018
Anticipated Requirements – 2018/19
Anticipated Receipts – 2018/19
Balance as at 31st March 2019
In line with the overall strategy and specific suggestions proposed by the Budget Working Group (BWG), in order to resource the Capital Programme, reserves will be utilised over the period of the Capital Programme 2014/15 to 2018/19.
The Project Fund would be used to fund schemes assessed on an invest to save basis, and in certain circumstances business critical schemes may also be funded from this reserve with the prior approval of the Director of Resources. A balance of £2m would be retained as a balance on this fund. The projected usage of this reserve, for the whole of the Council, over the period of the Capital Programme was shown below:
Project Fund
The above forecast balances needed to be seen in the context of significant pressures for spending which were not yet included in the Capital Programme. These pressures included the backlog of school, highways and buildings improvements.
(1) T H A T the position with regard to the 2013/14 Capital Programme be noted.
(2) T H A T the proposed Capital Programme for 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix B to the report be endorsed.
(1&2) In acknowledgement of the budget proposals contained within the report and the budget constraints of the Authority.
Under the Local Government Act 1999 the Wales Programme for Improvement and the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 the Council was required to secure continuous improvement across the full range of local services for which it was responsible and to collect a range of performance data to be submitted to the Welsh Government and the Local Government Data Unit. The report highlighted that a total of 40 indicators were relevant to the Scrutiny Committee in the following areas: education (11), Children's Services (Education Related) (2) and Libraries (1).
CMT received a report on 20 November 2013 providing information about each performance indicator not in the top quartile and any improvement work being undertaken. The following bullet points provide the background to each indicator not in the top quartile and encompass: whether indicators were seen as a useful representation of performance, whether the Council could be confident that indicators were being reported in line with the definitions across Wales, where improvements had already been made and where further improvements could be made.
EDU016a Percentage of pupil attendance in primary schools –
Performance for 2012/13 (2011/12 academic year) was in the second quartile. Attendance in primary schools improved by 0.8% to 94.5% in 2011-12 and was ranked =6th highest in Wales LAs. FSM benchmarking comparisons placed the Vale 2nd for primary school attendance. Analysis of absence distribution within primary schools in 2011-12 indicated that a higher proportion of pupils had high levels of attendance (94%+) and a lower proportion had low levels of attendance (<90%) compared with the all-Wales means. Unauthorised absence reduced to 1.1% in 2012 but was above the Welsh average (0.7%). A significant proportion of unauthorised absences (0.4%) were attributable to family holidays being taken in term time. Vale primary schools do not award attendance marks for holidays taken in term time as a strategy to deter absence which may not be a common approach nationally.
EDU016b Percentage of pupil attendance in secondary schools –
Performance for 2012/13 (2011/12 academic year) was in the second quartile. Attendance in secondary schools improved by 1.4% to 92.7% in 2011-12, this was the highest percentage increase in Wales. This level was above the Welsh average and was the 7th highest in Wales LAs. Analysis of absence distribution within secondary schools in 2011-12 indicated that a similar proportion of pupils had high levels of attendance (94%+) and low levels of attendance (<90%) compared to the all-Wales means. Unauthorised absences fell to 1% in 2011-12 and ranked the Vale 9th against the other LAs. This was a significant improvement and was below the Welsh mean of 1.4%.
EDU004A The percentage of pupils assessed at the end of Key Stage 3, in schools maintained by the local authority, achieving the Core Subject Indicator, as determined by Teacher Assessment –
Performance for 2012/13 (2011/12 academic year) was in the third quartile. The NSI performance was based on the performance achieved in the 2011/12 academic year. As a result of this underperformance, the Council made significant steps to improve during the 2012/13 academic year. As a result the Council's performance for the 2012/13 academic year was 83%. This was a 14% increase in our performance and placed the Council in the top quartile for 2012/13, ranked 4th in Wales. Further improvement work was planned as part of the Council's Improvement Plan 2013/14.
EDU006ii The percentage of pupils assessed, in schools maintained by the local authority, receiving a Teacher Assessment in Welsh (first language) at the end of Key Stage 3 –
Performance for 2012/13 (2011/12 academic year) was in the third quartile. 8.4% of pupils received a teacher assessment in Welsh at the end of Key Stage 4 in 2012/13 (academic year 2011/12). This placed the Council in the third quartile, in 16th place for Wales. This was not something the Council was contemplating taking action to improve considerably; we would expect our figures to be considerably lower in this area than, for example, the authorities in North Wales. The Council would continue to expand Welsh provision according to need. Our performance is roughly equivalent to the South East Wales average.
EDU015a The percentage of final statements of special education need issued within 26 weeks, including exceptions –
Performance for 2012/13 (2011/12 academic year) was in the bottom quartile. The figure for 2012/13 was 48%. The implementation of the action plan had resulted in significant improvements in this measure. The current figure for 2013/14 was 100%.
EDU015b The percentage of final statements of special education need issued within 26 weeks, excluding exceptions –
Performance for 2012/13 (2011/12 academic year) was in the bottom quartile. The figure for 2012/13 was 95.7%. The implementation of the action plan had resulted in maintaining this high level of performance. The current figure for 2013/14 was 100%.
Appendix 2 to the report detailed the improvement actions that were currently being undertaken with the aim of improving the Council's performance by the end of the current financial year.
RECOMMENDED – T H A T the performance results and areas identified for improvement be noted.
(1) To report on service performance in line with statutory requirements and the council's Performance Management Framework and monitoring arrangements.
(2) To consider the end of year performance results to identify service areas for improvement work.
(3) To ensure the continuous improvement of council services
The Scrutiny Committee had been made aware at its meeting on 13th November of the reasons for the fundamental review of the library and information service, with it being noted that the review group would take the opportunity to consult with the Scrutiny Committee during December 2013. The Review Group was therefore asking a number of questions for the Committee to consider which were detailed as follows:
What should the library service of the future look like?
How can our communities help deliver services in the future and how can libraries better support our communities?
How can our partners help deliver services and how can libraries better support our partners?
How can we reduce costs?
How can we increase income?
A questionnaire was attached at Appendix A to the report and also available online. It was noted that Members could respond on an individual basis but also the views of the Scrutiny Committee were being sought.
In considering the report reference was made to the five questions contained within the report and the following discussion took place:-
Members considered that it was important that the buildings were utilised in various ways although it was the consensus that any business ventures would need careful consideration as to not be a direct competition with other businesses in the locality. It was accepted that libraries were an integral part of the community and the possibility of other Council services being provided at these premises could be looked at. Revisions could also be made to the costs of hiring rooms and facilities at the libraries, in particular the possibility of increasing costs for photocopying and the possibility of charging for computer usage. It was suggested that the first two hours of computer use could be free and any time after that charged for.
In response to a suggestion that volunteers could be used to run library services, the Head of Service advised that similar courses of action had been taken in many English local authorities with many different models being considered. Reference was also made to the role the library service had in developing literacy in the community and that this could be considered further in the future.
Members were informed that to date the responses to the consultation had been considerable and that these would be analysed with a further report being presented to the Committee in due course. The Head of Service stated that although there were significant financial challenges facing the Authority the need to consider ways to sustain the library service was the aim of the review in order to prevent closure and achieve sustainability. Officers were also asked to consider providing child friendly questionnaires as young people often had very good ideas that could be utilised. The Youth Service had been utilised in this regard but any further consultation was limited at this stage due to the limited timescale for the review but this could be considered for the future.
Having fully considered the report the Chairman took the opportunity to encourage all Members to engage in the process following which it was subsequently
(1) T H A T the comments of the Scrutiny Committee as outlined above be included in the consultation being undertaken.
(2) T H A T the Committee receives a further report on the outcome of the review in March 2014.
(1) To allow Members the opportunity to take part in the review.
(2) To monitor the outcomes.
N.B. Mr. L. Kellaway vacated the room whilst this item was being discussed.
In view of his declaration of interest the Chairman vacated the Chair and Councillor E. Williams was appointed Chairman for the duration of the consideration of the item.
Following the report to the Scrutiny Committee on 14th October 2013, the Committee had recommended to receive additional information and supporting data in relation to the proposal to expand Ysgol Gwaun y Nant to meet increasing parental demand. In May 2013 a reassessment of pupil projections including potential LDP housing allocation sites had been carried out, the data for which was included in Appendix A to the report. The report highlighted that it was not known when homes on the allocated housing sites would be built and occupied as it was wholly dependent upon the developers for each site. However, in order to consider the full impact of the allocated housing sites on schools, the pupil projections assumed that all developments would be completed by 2018.
The reduction in surplus capacity arising from population growth alone demonstrated the need to retain all existing schools and expand Welsh Medium provision in Barry as approved by Cabinet
The pupil projections included within Appendix A showed that an additional 73 places (25 At Ysgol Gwaun y Nant, 4 at Ysgol Sant Baruc, 34 at Ysgol Sant Curig and 10 at Ysgol Nant Talwg) would be required in the existing Welsh medium schools by 2018 if all potential housing developments were included within the projection. The pupil projections for Welsh Medium schools were calculated using the current percentage of parents expressing a preference for Welsh Medium reception places. In 2013 16% of parents expressed a preference for Welsh Medium education at reception level; this had increased from 10.2% in 2006. This growth in the popularity of Welsh Medium was anticipated to continue which could result in a higher number of children attending Welsh Medium education than was currently forecast.
In order to meet this increased demand in Barry a number of different options had been considered before arriving at the preferred option. A new 210 place school could be built in Barry on a new site but no suitable sites were identified under the remit of Learning and Skills. An alternative approach used by other Local Authorities had been to utilise surplus capacity within existing schools, however the pupil projections demonstrate that this was not a long term option in Barry. The expansion of Ysgol St Baruc to 420 places was not achievable due to the confined school site which could not be increased in size due to surrounding buildings. Ysgol St. Curig had capacity for 420 children but had insufficient grounds to provide sports provision to meet the needs of 630 children. Ysgol Nant Talwg was located on the same site as Ysgol Bro Morgannwg; building work on a 210 place school started in November 2013 and the new school was due to open in September 2014. The further expansion on Ysgol Nant Talwg was not favoured as this could jeopardise the possible future expansion of Ysgol Bro Morgannwg to meet increased numbers of Welsh Medium secondary school pupils. Ysgol Gwaun y Nant and Oak Field Primary occupied a joint site totalling 29,300m2 which exceeded current area guidelines and had sufficient area to accommodate the expansion of Ysgol Gwaun y Nant to 420 from 210 places.
Research suggested that the quality of where pupils learn affected the quality of how they learn. To have the greatest impact the learning environment should support and enhance the learning process, encourage innovation and be a tool for learning. Improvements to the learning environment of both Ysgol Gwaun y Nant and Oak Field Primary school would be delivered through the preferred option.
The location of the new Oak Field Primary school would be determined following consultation with both Ysgol Gwaun y Nant and Oak Field Primary to fully consider the educational needs and aspirations of both schools and the local community. At present no decision had been made regarding the location of the new school on site.
The expansion of Welsh Medium education was being proposed to meet increasing parental demand in the Barry area. The Authority had a legal duty to meet this demand and would need to find alternative schools to meet this demand if Ysgol Gwaun y Nant was not expanded. Ysgol Gwaun y Nant and Oak Field Primary have occupied the same site since 2000 and the Authority had no evidence that this co-location had had a detrimental effect on either school.
In noting the preferred option to build a new pattern book design school for Oak Field Primary and remodel the existing school to increase capacity to 420 places for Ysgol Gwaun y Nant this had been estimated to cost £3,645,000 which had been met from the existing funding available within the Capital Programme. It was noted that this would be approximately £430,000 less than the cost to remodel and extend Ysgol Gwaun y Nant.
A Member raised a concern as to whether establishing a new building would exacerbate school surplus places. In response the Head of Service advised that having regard to the draft Local Development Plan it had been considered necessary that these places would assist and plan had provided a basis for the school projections that had to be established. It was also noted that the Welsh Government had requested that the Authority should not have more than 10% school surplus places and that the projections showed that even if fewer houses were built than envisaged in the draft LDP and allowing for the planned new school and the proposed expansion, any surplus places would be significantly below that level. There also needed to be some flexibility with school surplus places and the Cabinet Member, with permission to speak, advised that in relation to Barry there were at least 1,700 houses that were to be built in the area that had recently been approved at Planning Committee meetings. In his view the projections were fair and the need for Welsh Medium within the area had been identified.
Councillor Dr. I.J. Johnson, with permission to speak, also stated that even though the Council may not have 3,000 houses by 2008 it had to have regard to Welsh Medium requirements and the projection showed that this would fill the gap.
Following the consultation process, Members were informed that the responses would be assessed at the end of February with plans to report to Cabinet soon thereafter. The Committee also requested to receive the details of that feedback in due course.
Having fully considered the report it was
RECOMMENDED – T H A T the decision to expand Ysgol Gwaun y Nant to meet increasing parental demand for Welsh Medium education in Barry be supported.
Having considered the detailed information contained within the report.
It was noted that Learning and Skills was well on track to achieve the objectives contributing to its service outcomes with 88% of actions currently either completed or on track. The contribution to the Corporate Plan was also on course with 90% of the actions on track for completion and of the 51 actions within the service plan 5 had been completed, 41 were on track with 5 having slipped. The Department was also 100% on track to achieving the actions contributing to its Improvement Objectives where, of the 12 actions, 2 had been completed and 10 were on track.
RECOMMENDED – T H A T the performance monitoring report for Learning and Skills Directorate for Quarter 2 be noted.
Having regard to the progress contained within the report.


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Homewood-Flossmoor Area
Homewood-Flossmoor Area
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
A Message From Our President
On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Homewood-Flossmoor Area, I encourage each of you in these important times to fight even harder for our causes, including social justice, civil rights, criminal justice reform, voting rights, and increased access to the ballot box. We can do something about the system, the deeply flawed, unjust, and racist system under which we live. We have to act!! We have a moral and ethical obligation to listen to what the people need, to educate ourselves, to pay attention to our state and national League's issues briefings, to roll up our sleeves and do what is necessary and just. When the dust settles, and decades have gone by, our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will ask what you did during this most recent Civil Rights movement in our nation. What will your answer entail? I surmise that the League Members will be able to say, "Here is how I fought for justice and a better future for you."
I encourage each of you to read the statement that the League of Women Voters U.S. issued regarding the Murder of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement.
You can find at LWV.org.
I want to acknowledge the state legislators, mayors, trustees, aldermen and other elected officials who are able to effect change. We are counting on you.
Thank you to our supporters and donors. We could not do the work we do without your participation, support, and resources. We truly appreciate you.
Thank You,
Barbara A. Hayes, President
League of Women Homewood-Flossmoor Area
Important Information
LWV-HF Area Annual Meeting!
The LWV-HF Area board has been working hard on plans for our annual meeting, where we will present a new budget and a slate of candidates for open positions on the board.
The LWV-HF area annual meeting will be held virtually on the evening of Thursday, June 11th at 6:00 p.m . Registration for the meeting is required in order to ensure we will have a quorum and will only have members voting.
REGISTER HERE and you will then receive an email with a link to join the annual meeting. The email will include a link to join by laptop, PC, or smartphone. It will also contain a phone number with meeting id # if you need to do call in only. Using a device instead of calling in only is highly encouraged if possible for voting purposes! Please plan to log in a few minutes before 6 to be sure any technical issues are cleared up for our 6pm start time.
Deadline: Registration deadline is Tuesday, June 9th.
We are using the Zoom webinar platform for the meeting. That means that those attending will be able to see and hear those who are leading the meeting but will not be on the screen or have the ability to speak using a microphone. The webinar allows for everyone to participate in voting and there is a chat tool that will be used for participants to ask questions or participate in discussion of motions by typing in the chat. Motions and seconds will be made by those who are on the screen and helping in some way to lead the meeting. We will do a short tutorial at the beginning of the meeting so attendees are comfortable with the technology. If you aren't familiar with Zoom, check out this Zoom article for further information.
Annual Meeting Booklet 2020 & By-Laws
You are welcome to download this year's meeting booklet.
Click here to download the booklet. Click here to download the by-laws.
|Health clinics. Fire departments. Schools. Even roads and highways. The census can shape many different aspects of your community. Be counted TODAY! And if you have already completed your 2020 Census, urge your friends and family to be counted at 2020census.gov.

subset: commoncrawl


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Testing can be a crucial portion of any successful program undertaking. Thus , software testing turns into an fundamental portion of getting rid of every one of those germs that might have seemed. It is deemed to become a rather essential component of applications engineering life cycle nonetheless it will not get over with evolution. So far as software testing can be involved, after you do course, there would be a monumental demand for you personally in the work market place. It's the procedure of evaluating a strategy to check if it fulfills its enterprise requirements. It is a process of executing a program or system together with the aim of finding errors or mistakes. Construct your foundation in the earth up significance be certain you know manual software testing because to be in a position to automate an activity you first have to know the manual training. You'd be finding out the best way you can accomplish screening in actual moment. Also, you would certainly be understanding how you can complete testing at real instant. Testing is critical in virtually any applications undertaking. In the same moment, automated testing can be accomplished quickly with the help of special applications testing programs. Guide testing would be the task of manually testing software because of defects. Irregular or incomplete testing could result in the launching of the program that whose grade contributes to non evaluations and negative reviews, a situation that might be really hard to recover from. S O mobile program screening is currently critical for organizations to earn a mobile application successful. A professional should be in a posture to expect complicated dilemmas, along with imagining and articulating them. As a means to produce test cases it's essential the software tester knows numerous analyzing tactics and also which approach is well suited for a particular process. Pc software testers ought to truly have the ability to spot and tackle unfamiliar difficulties and ought to build up a new strategy to validate them. The applications goes undetected in a clear better part of the improvement projects. For the exact first time, applications testers were required to learn how exactly to code. To be profitable, but you need gifted applications testers. Testers will need to appear with and utilize skills throughout their careers and should learn to convey effectively with the stakeholders as a way to avoid ambiguities and inconsistencies. In just a twelve months, most of the manual testers were all gone. Black-box testers don't have accessibility into this origin code. In the event that you genuinely are interested in being an automation tester never let yourself get stuck into a manual tester box as it can be difficult to escape out. A tester should have an all-inclusive strategy and need to build up a fast-track evaluation plan and tactic. It is crucial see that programmers and developers have a typical purpose of generating high-performance software. Thus, testers must test the program performance and action thoroughly to be sure it matches an assortment of cellular devices challenges. A fantastic assurance tester is somebody who works with software or hardware to ensure it works nicely before it is going to get available towards the overall populace. The testing will further help the users to make certain that the mobile app doesn't impact the cell device and alternative tools. Functionality testing is done manually. Memory leakage testing grows more significant along with users ultimately possess option to appraise the performance of i-OS along with Android mobile apps.
Employers adore the discipline, technical abilities along with can-do-attitude of veterans. The employee could explain to the company how much coaching he's had at every single work skill also it is going to assist the firm to choose at which to place the employee. Job expertise And Prerequisites the majority of the organizations prefer skilled pupils to keep their firm while in the appropriate manner, certain requirements and vary based on the region. Ordinarily, the crucial businesses have long lines. In the instance of these businesses given under, the company and also AI are co-evolving. Technical writing is really a terrific occupation selection. Writers write because they don't have an alternative choice. Fully being a technical writer is over just word wizardrythere are various capabilities necessary to become more effective within the region. A work summary is like a work description other than that it doesn't have as much depth around your outline. A job description assists the worker know exactly what is due to these. To begin with, you have to record down each one of the important details you need to include on your own resume. When you've gotten your level, you have the capacity to to decide to obtain a certificate from a few of those many technical writing certificate programs that are offered on line. Some college students seem to believe that because they're applying to internshipsthey don't really needs to be very professional making use of their restart but that's surely not correct. The good thing concerning applying for internships is the company will not not fully anticipate you to own any prior experience. The perfect occupation doesn't cause you to the perfect candidate, or provide you with an ideal daily life. If you prefer to find a fine career, focus about it, work like it truly is the most important thing on earth. Even in case you search for employment having nominal experience. In case your resume was written with no trace of acceptable important phrases, there is quite a slim probability that it will be referred to businesses' staffing personnel. If you are excited about learning, they are likely to assist you. In the event that you research, you're going to blow people away with your knowing. You get familiarity using an internship that you'll not have the ability to learn at a classroom. Owning a self respecting business, you will certainly gain new wisdom and methods which can include value into your resume. Weekly it has a remarkable experience that I dreamed of when I had been a youngster, Zuzek explained. In lots of ways, it has their aggressive advantage. A lot has been mentioned about the method that you cannot receive a internship possibility with BHEL should you not own a powerful contact inside the slightest. To start with, it supplies your resume a far better chance to get recognized by a resume filtering software used by job seeker sites. Once you've uploaded your resume and left with your opportunity to online job seekers, it is going to be stored in a data-bank alongside other thousands of technologies software. Contractors work in numerous fields to analyze, grow along with evaluate large-scale procedures. Thus that the engineers also have to be able to think creatively as well as they have to request the appropriate inquiries. Whether you are a civil, mechanical, or chemical engineer, you should check at the subsequent list if you may like to fortify your resume.
A whole lot of people lose as they don't keep a careful own record. Yes, finding a grave criminal list unquestionably dampens the extent of accomplishing a more specific project. Regardless of what kind of business you are run, no one would prefer to employ some one having a violent criminal record. Using a great record in place, there should be no obstructions on your path and you are certain to acquire the task which you've been planning to get. The majority are working in minimum wage jobs, jobs that do not offer ample to cover standard bills in many regions of the nation. So, it's a hard endeavor but when you should be passionate about working persons, then it isn't difficult to control most of the obligations. Medical office assistant projects are among the alluring occupation options between many chances in the health care discipline. A records clerk typically will not have direct connection with all the general public. Your healthcare assistant resume is the exact first issue a future employer will appear at closely. A health helper at an orthopedic office should possess comprehension about reconstructive systems because that is the principal focus of a orthopedist. Health care providers might maintain control of a facility including a nursing home, or else they can be able a specific section in a facility. Employment delivers not merely financial aid but oftentimes defines a person. If you should be a seasoned candidate, then you must present a company along side most of the specifics of your earlier job and accomplishments. If an employee is laid off temporarily, usually times their company doesn't desire them to hunt for a different endeavor. Numerous employees find yourself feeling their current employers cannot offer what they want to know more about and proceed to scan the marketplace. Beyond wanting to make certain your new employee isn't likely to steal funds from your own small business, it's important to hire someone of integrity. Not only will it be essential to be convinced that a potential worker is competent for your circumstance, but it's also your responsibility to become certain the security of one's current workers. You are not alone if you are reluctant to depart from work and start away at a complete other way. The occupation of a patient access representative is crucial from the health care sector. An occupation for a patient entry agent can be rather interesting for folks who desire to be a section of the health care area, yet needing in order to avoid the intricacies of carrying an individual's own life in their hands. This really is one among the absolute most crucial areas of almost any person and family. So in place of writing a single restart, it's preferable to tailor each individual to get a certain helper medical task. Many businesses desire records clerks to become at least one to a few years of experience that is related. If you opt to go with an outsourced staffing organization when trying to employ personnel, many possess a restart searching services available on the market. Most folks begin their organization since they have been good at something. Be certain that you not merely incorporate the companies you worked for, but likewise the products which you have offered. Insurance organizations and healthcare providers want to do the job economically to supply the maximum quality of patient attention.


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Effingham selectmen award ambulance contract
by Mellisa Ferland
write the author
January 06, 2011
EFFINGHAM — At their Dec. 21 meeting, Effingham selectmen voted to award the three-year ambulance service contract to Ossipee Valley EMS.
The board had received two proposals at their Dec. 14 meeting, one from Ossipee Valley EMS and the other from North Conway Ambulance (a subsidiary of CarePlus). They took the week to review the proposals.
At the Dec. 21 meeting, Selectmen Tim Eldridge raised discussion on the ambulance proposals and noted that Ossipee Valley EMS appeared to have the best proposal. Selectman Susan Slack noted that financial considerations must be given but she thought the North Conway proposal better met the selectmen's request.
According to the meeting minutes, Selectman John Meisner asked soon-to-be confirmed Effingham Fire Chief Randy Burbank for his opinion with regards to Ossipee Valley EMS and patient care.
Chief Burbank had no questions or concerns with regard to Ossipee Valley EMS and patient care. Selectmen Eldridge made a motion to accept the Ossipee Valley EMS alternate proposal for a 3 year contract at $25,020 per year totaling $75,060.
This will provide the town with no changes to ambulance service. The motion was seconded by Susan Slack and passed unanimously.
In other recent selectmen's meeting news, selectmen have offered to publish an advertisement seeking members for the town's Historic District Commission due to dwindling membership. Longtime members Arlene Gertsen and Grace Applei attended the Dec. 14 meeting and were thanked for their years of service.
Resident Theresa Swanick presented a proposal to selectmen asking that cable franchise fees collected that currently go to the town's general fund be redirected to a fund for expanding broadband in Effingham. The goal is to bring high speed internet access to homes in Effingham that do not have access. Selectmen decided at their Dec. 21 meeting they will not put this idea on the town's warrant. Rather, those interested in bringing it to town meeting for a vote should submit a petition with the necessary signatures to have it placed on the warrant.
Burbank announced that he was able to acquire 16 old lockers for the fire station from the Kingswood Regional High School construction project.
Carroll County Independent
Mountain View Community gets the all clear
GWRSD Reopening Task Force plans ahead
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Give away medical masks when you place an order. learn more
LSR offers the industry-first flexible PIFA antenna, design delivers strong performance in challenging environments, providing you unmatched flexibility to solve your real-world antenna design challenges.
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India Golden Triangle tour with heritage Toy Train to Shimla
Discover colonial history and important mountain views on board India's heritage Toy Train to Shimla, and see the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and additional on journeys in city, metropolis and Jaipur - travel consisted of.
A riot of color, sound and activity, there ar few additional energising destinations within the world than Republic of India. From royal palaces to chaotic fairs and wild, inexperienced jungles, this kaleidoscopical nation has the potential to overwhelm even the foremost seasoned soul - and on this glorious 10-night journey you will find the Golden Triangle's staple sights, in conjunction with lead off a super-scenic heritage 'Toy' Train journey up to the chain foothills.
You'll begin this escape with a pair of nights in phrenetic city, wherever a town tour can decide you in no time as you are taking within the finest of each previous and capital of India - from the Red Fort through to the Qutb Minar. you will stick with it to metropolis next, wherever you will attend the red-sandstone metropolis Fort before taking within the Taj Mahal at its most wizard. on the way to Jaipur, you will visit Fatehpur Sikri - another sensational red arenaceous rock structure that dates back to 1569 - before creating a itinerary for Hawa Mahal, Jai Singh's Observatory and also the town Palace.
With this windstorm of attractions still recent in your mind, and once a night's rest in city, you will begin what's perhaps the foremost unforgettable a part of your expertise, as you board the gauge Heritage Toy Train - one among the foremost gorgeous railways on the world, raised quite a pair of,000 meters on top of water level and providing a glimpse of the country's colonial past at the side of, obviously, endless broad views of wealthy mountains.
Making tracks on board this train from Kalka to Shimla, you'll need a chance to search out the latter, embedded within the chain foothills and providing masses to please history buffs, because the former summer capital of British Republic of India. Here, you will discover yourself enchanted by The Mall - a active pedestrian avenue - and Lakkar Bazaar, wherever you'll even get a wood toy or handicraft to require home with you. Your final stop is back in city, wherever you will invest an evening before reluctantly grabbing your flight back home.
Great to understand
Please recognize that guests may favor to take pride within the full Toy Train journeyHealth Fitness Articles, that covers five hours and ten minutes. This should be confirmed with our provider directly once reserving.


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This highly sought after luxury home is located in the Village of Aviano. Built by Toll Brothers, this home has a spacious Venado split floor plan with a separate entrance Guest Casita. To start the home has a Grand Entrance that leads into the formal entertaining room and the kitchen/great room. Large open space to entertain with fireplace. Master quarters are split to the west of the home, and the guest quarters to the east. Large 5 bedroom and 5.5 bathrooms are sure to provide enough space for family and guests. Out back you will have tons of shade under the massive, covered patio. Cool off in the pebble tech pool or heat up in the heated spa! Back to the front where you'll find split garages with 3 spacious bays. Aviano has multiple parks, walking trails and the location is second to none. Shopping, dining, entertainment is all within walking distance. All of this plus Aviano community amenities which include a beautiful clubhouse, fitness center, pool/spa, events and more. Welcome home!
Listing courtesy of Offerpad. Selling Office: A.Z. & Associates.
All information should be verified by the recipient and none is guaranteed as accurate by ARMLS. Copyright 2020 Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.


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There is no doubt that the DCEU has faced much criticism from film critics and fanboys over the past few years. While Wonder Woman and Aquaman have received amazing praise from viewers and brought in a lot of money for Warner Bros, other films such as: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Man of Steel took a beating from critics yet drew very well at the box office; and then we had Justice League.
Now Warner Bros and DC Entertainment have called upon the powers of the old gods and yelled their new magic word…
And with that a new hero has emerged and a new take on superhero movies comes to us on April 5th as the DCEU brings Shazam! to theaters.
Now to answer the big question, "Is Shazam! set in the DC Films Universe?" The answer is, yes. Shazam! takes place inside the shared cinematic universe that currently houses Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Flash, The Green Lantern Corps and all of the bad guys that come with them.
Shazam! star, Zachary Levi (yes, Captain Marvel himself) recently shed some light on this major question:
"We are definitely within the DCEU world, I think since the Man of Steel, all of that has really happened in our world. All of that stuff, theoretically, we could have been watching on the news as it was going down."
When asked what comic influences inspired this film, director David F Sandberg responded:
"I wanted to incorporate a little bit of everything, not just in New 52, but the older stuff as well. The suit is one part of that where it's like, 'Yeah, I want the shorter cape of like the Golden Age comics', but then, 'Let's try the hood from the New 52.' And little things like that, and trying to balance it. So we have things and references from the old comics, but a lot of the story takes inspiration from the New 52"
Mark Strong who plays the films main villain, Dr. Sivana, had this to say about playing the iconic DC super villain:
"Well as you all know this is the New 52 version in which he's much more robust and much more powerful," Strong said. "He is a proper super villain. He gets to fly, he can create electric fields in his hands and fire electricity."
Shazam! will no doubt be lighter story with more humor but that needs to be expected in a story surrounding a 14-year-old boy who gets amazing superpowers from a wizard and channels them by yelling a magic word but don't be surprised when some of that humor disappears with some serious life lessons and amazing fights between Shazam and the antagonists in this film.
There is no doubt that Shazam! is going to be an amazing film.


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6 Common Obstacles in Couples Therapy
Couples therapy can help couples improve their relationship in many ways.
For instance, it helps couples resolve conflict, learn how to communicate effectively, better understand each other, enhance their emotional connection and strengthen their bond.
Naturally, couples may face obstacles in therapy that stall their progress. They may have inaccurate assumptions about how therapy works, which can keep them stuck. Or they may delay seeing a therapist in the first place, which only deepens their problems.
We asked two relationship experts to share the most common obstacles along with what couples can do to overcome them. Below you'll find six obstacles and solutions.
1. Wanting the other partner to change."When clients come in for couple therapy they want a change," said Mudita Rastogi, Ph.D, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Arlington Heights, Ill. "However, sometimes what they really want is for the therapy to change their partner's behavior."
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Gayle fails to score
Chris Gayle's controversial remarks to female Australian sports reporter Mel McLaughlin, on live television, have elicited a global response of tsunami-scale proportions, sparking a raging debate concerning sexism, professionalism, double standards, culture, political correctness, and sexual harassment.
While being interviewed by McLaughlin for Network TEN, during a Big Bash League (BBL) game, Gayle remarked: "I wanted to have an interview with you as well, that's why I'm here. I get to see your eyes for the first time, it's nice. Hopefully we can win and go for a drink after. Don't blush, baby."
The BBL blasted his comments as being "disrespectful and simply inappropriate", and he was fined AUS$10,000 (US$7,200) by his club, the Melbourne Renegades.
Reactions to Gayle's remarks have ranged from disgust with him to wondering what the big deal is all about. But it is a big deal, with comments in social media exposing not only the chauvinistic attitudes of many Jamaican men, but also the tolerance of some of our women regarding such behaviour.
For example, Jamaican sports commentator Oral Tracey defended Gayle, emphatically stating that a man has a right to "look" a woman "anytime, anywhere". Tracey's proclamation is irresponsible and provides warped ground rules for our young men regarding pursuing women. If one subscribes to Tracey's notion, it is acceptable for a judge to "look" a female defendant on the witness stand during a court case, a policeman to "look" a female suspect at a crime scene, and a doctor to "look" an injured female patient on a gurney in an emergency room.
Some may argue that all is fair in love and war, and that many persons in successful marriages and common-law relationships met their spouses on the job. This is true, and there would not have been an issue if Gayle had approached Ms McLaughlin respectfully after the cameras had stopped rolling and the microphones had been switched off. The point is that there must be boundaries, and failure to recognise and respect them will lead to discomfort, as was the case with Ms McLaughlin.
But an inconvenient truth has also come to light during this brouhaha, and it is that Gayle is a serial offender. While playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in Antigua in 2014, a female reporter asked Gayle, "How does the pitch feel so far in terms of the training, the weather?" Gayle responded by saying, "Well I haven't touched yours yet so I don't know how it feels." Australian cricket legend Ian Chappell reported, "Every woman I spoke to [about Gayle] who's working at the cricket, you got the same answer from. They were quite adamant about it."
Indeed, Fox Sports' Neroli Meadows claims that Gayle is a "repeat offender", well known for making inappropriate remarks to female journalists. She claimed that "he has done it before, he's done it to me, he's done it to several women", "he does this constantly" and that "he is a creep". ESPNCricinfo's Melinda Farrell also reports that Gayle made inappropriate remarks to her before a press conference. Two female friends of mine who work in the Jamaican media have also shared stories with me of encounters that they had with Gayle, including some while on the job, that left them feeling uncomfortable.
So, what was Chris Gayle's response to the recent backlash? At a press conference, his arrogance was unfortunately on display for all to see as he offered a half-hearted apology. He referred to his remarks as "a simple joke", and when someone remarked that the reporter was upset, Gayle, obviously irritated, bluntly retorted, "Can you be quiet and let me finish?"
A woman then asked, "Why should she have to feel uncomfortable while she is at work?", to which Gayle responded by dismissively asking, "Did she tell you that she was uncomfortable?" When the woman replied that McLaughlin had told her boss that she was, Gayle reacted by saying, "All right, have a good day," and walked away, terminating the interview.
His unrepentant behaviour during the meeting clearly demonstrated his unwillingness to accept that McLaughlin took exception his comments, and acknowledge that his behaviour was unacceptable. In her own words, McLaughlin said that Gayle's comments were "unexpected" and "disappointing", and that she would have preferred to have been talking about cricket instead.
To add insult to injury, Gayle then took to Instagram and posted a photograph of himself, with teammate Dwayne Bravo, wearing a T-shirt featuring a gold Playboy bunny reading '$EXSELLS', and mocking his fine, stating, "Pockets are empty so @djbravo47 paying the dinner bill tonight."
Gayle is a first-class cricketer, but, unfortunately, his class appears to be confined to the pitch. He needs to appreciate boundaries apart from those encircling his playing area. Those of us who know better must teach our young men that members of the opposite sex are human beings with feelings, deserving of respect and not just vehicles for female genitalia, placed on the planet for our pleasure.
- Michael Abrahams is a gynaecologist and obstetrician, comedian and poet. Email feedback to firstname.lastname@example.com and email@example.com, or tweet @mikeyabrahams.


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The Reality Tests Vienna In Seed (June 2008), the Vienna experimental group discusses physical and philosophical implications of new correlations between entangled photons, which violate an inequality proposed by Leggett for nonlocal realistic theories. This new series of experiments invalidates macrorealism in quantum mechanics by more than 80 orders of magnitude. Preliminary coverage of the experimental results was first presented in Nature 446 (871) and PhysicsWorld, 20 April 2007. According to Časlav Brukner: "Quantum mechanics does not always wash itself out – but to observe its effects for larger and larger objects, we would need more and more accurate measurement devices. We just do not have the sensitivity to observe the quantum effects around us. In essence, we do create the classical world we perceive. There could be other classical worlds completely different from ours."
Quantum networks: Entanglement of distant atoms by projective measurement University of Barcelona | ICFO | Spain Quantum cryptography is rapidly developing into a mature and robust technology for secure data transactions in financial, government and military sector applications. In arXiv 0806.1052, Zippilli et al. quantify the role of photon detector efficiency in quantum repeaters, which will be necessary to scale beyond the point-to-point networks currently employed for secure communications.
Presently, state-of-the-art systems employ atom-photon interaction to generate entanglement between distant nodes across a quantum network through projective measurement. "We assess proposals for entangling two distant atoms by measurement of emitted photons, analyzing how their performance depends on the photon detection efficiency – we believe that these concepts are generally applicable to all systems that may be considered for the creation of distant entanglement, including atomic-ensemble, photonic, and solid state implementations."
The groups's objectives are to quantify the importance of detector efficiency as applied to generating remote entanglement across quantum networks. With minor modifications, these results can be extended to the efficiency of quantum teleportation protocols that are also based on projective quantum measurement. "In all such systems, the detection efficiency will have a similar, important role for the use of the entanglement as a resource in quantum technologies."
Space-QUEST: Experiments with quantum entanglement in space Vienna | ESA | ISS In a recent submission to the arXiv, Zeilinger's group at University of Vienna, Austria has proposed an experiment – Space-QUEST, Quantum Entanglement Science and Technology – for space-to-ground, entangled-photon Bell Inequality violation measurements to verify quantum nonlocality at distances over thousands of kilometers, in a joint operation between the International Space Station and a ground observatory in the European Union.
Entanglement and nonlocality have been pivotal controversies since the birth of quantum mechanics – Einstein's "spooky action at a distance" implies simultaneous, nonlocal correlations between separate entangled particles. J. S. Bell was the first to confirm the phenomenon experimentally in 1964.
Further refinements and increasing precision in succeeding experiments have consistently shown quantum mechanics to be an explicitly nonlocal theory – the outcome Einstein was most averse to accept. However, long-distance relativistic experiments, such as between orbiting satellites, have been technologically cost-prohibitive to date. The paper will be presented at the 2008 IAC Microgravity Sciences and Processes Symposium, under a proposed joint initiative between the European Space Agency and the International Space Station.
"Testing quantum correlations over distances achievable with systems placed in the Earth orbit, or even beyond, would allow to verify both the validity of quantum physics and the preservation of entanglement over distances impossible to achieve on the ground. Using the large relative velocity of two orbiting satellites, one can perform experiments on entanglement where – due to special relativity – both observers can claim that they have performed the measurement on their system prior to the measurement of the other observer. In such an experiment, it is not possible anymore to think of any local realistic mechanisms that potentially influence one measurement outcome according to the other one."
Zeilinger's group has previously conducted proof-of-principle experiments in the Canary Islands with a 144 km free-space link, using an ESA receiver telescope to receive single entangled photons [Nature Physics, 3:481-486 (2007)]. A more recent experiment in Italy has demonstrated single-photon downlink communications viability from a near-earth orbit satellite [New Journal of Physics, 10:033038 (2008)].


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Michelle Forman – Voice
Composer. Vocalist. Poet. Musician. Born and raised in Miami into a family of accomplished musicians, it is no surprise Michelle spends most of her time in front of a microphone. Over the course of roughly 10 years her accomplishments include collaborations, live performances, touring, and recording alongside of Miami's most talented musicians. Since embarking on her musical journey nearly 10 years ago, Michelle has either shared the stage or recorded with over 30 musical acts, including Grammy/Premio Nuestro nominated artist and various unsigned solo artist. Back in 2004, she organized/directed a one of a kind, multicultural 16pc women's ensemble called "She Said," a project involving women who shared different calibers of musical experience and played a variety of instruments, including some of Miami's best front women. In 2009, Michelle accepted a permanent position as a vocalist in one of Miami's most recognized and respected bands, Suenalo. Aside from performing both in and out of Miami regularly with Suenalo, Michelle is currently focused on recording an album consisting of original compositions while mentoring inner city children through the power of music as a proud member of the Guitars Over Guns Organization.


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KFnet in T-Town
Apr. 2, 2008 at 7:21am
Biodiesel Coming to Central Tacoma
Larry's Shell station on the corner of 19th and S. Stevens [ map ] will start selling biodiesel soon. A sign out front reads:
Simple enough. Thrice All American noted back in December that springtime would bring this change and it's nice to see signs that this is going to happen. I talked to someone over at the station and they're going to start getting an above ground tank installed in the next couple weeks and start serving up fuel from it in a couple months.
I'm sure for any biodiesel users out there it'll be great to have another option in town. It's a bummer that drums like the one below outside Infinite Soups and City Lights won't be showing up in local pumps here since Standard Biodiesel, according to this comment, supplies Portland based SeQuential who has no stations north of Vancouver, WA. Still, it seems like definite progress in a great direction.
More "biodiesel" via FeedTacoma
comments [6] | posted under biodiesel, propel, sequential, standard biodiesel, tacomaComments
by fredo on 4/2/2008 @ 9:06am
|I'm going to wait until we can get cars like the one in Back to the Future that run on nothing more than garbage.
by thriceallamerican on 4/2/2008 @ 9:24am
|One brief clarification:
I think you misunderstood the comment re: Standard Biodiesel. It was saying that they are a (relatively) local operation–they are north of Seattle–that has an operation similar to SeQuential. So the Standard fuel isn't all going down to Portland, it is staying in our general area. Unfortunately no one is selling their fuel in Tacoma, though.
by thriceallamerican on 4/2/2008 @ 9:26am
|Propel's fuel is made from "virgin" oils, for what it's worth. Vegetable oil prices for soy, canola, etc., are through the roof right now, so biodiesel prices suck.
by KevinFreitas on 4/2/2008 @ 9:32am
|Good to know. Where does Standard get to the pumps? It's a shame if local businesses are selling their grease to them that it isn't able to be used here in town.
by thriceallamerican on 4/2/2008 @ 9:37am
|I don't know where all they sell their fuel. They are based in Arlington, and it appears that they MAY have a pump onsite. The also advertise that they will do deliveries throughout the region.
With prices rising so high for commercial biodiesel (seriously, well over $4/gallon–after a ~$1 tax credit taken by the "fuel blender" to mix in a wee bit of petroleum diesel), I'm thinking of getting into a bit of homebrewing. I need to get on the stick to find some restaurants that might want to hook me up with waste oil...
by michael g. on 4/2/2008 @ 1:41pm
|The environmental benefits of using waste oil for biofuel are a lot less ambiguous than using "virgin" biofuels. Those oils compete with food crops (or encourage plowing under more natural land, which releases CO2), use lots more water than petroleum products in the growing and production process, and some oils, like palm oil, are imported thousands of miles after being harvested from former rainforest areas. See query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=...
Although I have another home on the web I thought it might be nice to lead by example a bit and put this blog system up to the test myself.
So far, so good... Funny how I build web tools for other people that are far better than the one's I have setup over on KFnet.
Hey Clear Channel, Clean Up Your Crap!
Advantage: Tacoma
Quick Bites


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Giving my life to God, accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, was the single most important decision I have ever made in my life. It did not make me perfect or make all my troubles go away, but it changed my life forever. I could not imagine trying to face life's challenges without God in my life.
God has offered His hand out to you…
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." ~John 3:16
Our sin, our disobedience to God, has separated us from God.
"For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." ~Romans 3:23
That separation leads to death.. But because of His love for us, God provided a way for us to be saved from our sins – through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 6:23
"But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." ~Romans 5:8
Jesus is the only way back into a relationship with our Heavenly Father because He lived a life free of sin. He lived in total obedience to God while here on earth. .
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." ~2 Corinthians 5:21
If we repent, turn away from, our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will have eternal life.
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." ~*Romans 10:9-10
"For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." ~Romans 10:13
Are you ready to give your life to God, to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
Pray to God from your heart. Tell Him how you feel….
God, I know that I have not followed You. I know that I have disobeyed Your laws and that my sin has separated me from You. I am so sorry. I want to turn away from all of that junk, the sins that pull me farther away from You. Please forgive me and help me to avoid sinning against You again. I believe that Jesus is Lord, that He died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead. I want Jesus to be the Lord of my life, to control my heart forever. Teach me by Your Holy Spirit to obey You and do Your will. In Jesus' Name, amen.
If you have made the decision to become a Christian please let me know. I would love to pray for you. Email me at email@example.com