Issue - meetings

Purpose

To update the Cabinet Member on the success of the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge, including participation statistics.

(TAKE IN INFORMATION REPORT)

The report was introduced by David Percival, Outreach and School Library Service Manager.  He explained that nearly 735,000 children took part nationally this year in the Summer Reading Challenge.  Portsmouth has had its highest number this year with just over 1,600 children completing the challenge and 3,000 children signing up.  This reflects the national trend.  

In response to a question from Councillor Symes, Mr Percival advised that feedback from schools has generally been anecdotal.  There is an issue nationally regarding evidence base of the challenge and this will be developed over the next few years.

In response to a question from Councillor Morgan, Mr Percival said the Reading Challenge is a universal offer and there were only three primary schools they did not get into this year.  Participants come from all over city to be at the winners' event.  The council does collate equalities information and there are high participation rates among the BME groups in the city.

The Cabinet Member and opposition spokespeople commended Mr Percival and his team for the successful event and were positive that the event would continue to grow next year.

The Cabinet Member noted the report.