Hampshire Governors' Representative Group
Notes of Meeting
22nd October 1997
Present: Hugh Deed (Chair); Terry Tillman, Sylvia Vine,
Eileen Bishop (Fleet LO), Vernon Petherick,
John Brailsford (Havant LO), Martina Powell,
Jim Watt (New Forest LO), Paddy Ryan, Peter High,
Cynthia Hicks (Winchester LO)
In Attendance: Janet Sheriton (Clerk)
1. Apologies: Ian Chrystie, David Hammersley, John Train,
D Richards
2. Notes of 11th June 1997 were agreed
Notes of 24th September 1997 Special Meeting were agreed.
3. Matters Arising from 11/6/97
11/6/97/1 Hugh Deed reported that following a visit to Oak
Farm, Andrew Smith will produce a paper explaining
the phases and management of building progress
which can be given to governors at the start of the
building project.
11/6/97/2 Inspection Services - The consultation on retaining
centrally £800k of HIAS management partnership had
raised concerns about the ability of schools to
meet their development needs with their HIAS budget
gone. It was agreed that the concerns should be fed
into CGF meeting.
11/6/97/6 The clerk to: send copies of HGRG constitution to
new members; reviews arrangements for keeping the
Hantsnet Governors page up-to-date with Jenny
Wennell; to check whether it had been suggested to
GBs that they add "Forum Rep" to list of officers
appointed in Autumn term; arrange for print of
HGRG leaflet "Representing Hampshire Governors".
JS
11/6/97/10 Hugh Deed had written to NGC about areas concerns
over capital funding but had received no response.
This was generally felt to damage the credibility
of NGC and the clerk was asked to resend the letter
asking for a response.
HD/JS
Matters Arising from 24/9/97
Hugh Deed had received a number of responses from
Hampshire MPs and others to the HGRG letters to
David Blunkett. Some GBs had sent copies of their
own White Paper comments. Clerk to provide copies
of correspondence with these minutes.
JS
4. Election of Officers
Chairman - Agreed that chairmanship would be on a rotating
basis for this year with Jim Watt, John Brailsford, Hugh Deed
covering Autumn, Spring and Summer terms respectively.
Vice-Chairman and NGC reps. were agreed as Hugh Deed and Peter
High.
Treasurer - agreed as John Brailsford
Education Committee Representative - agreed as Martina Powell.
The role was clarified as reporting back Education Committee
business to HGRG and being prepared to speak at Education
Committee on issues in which HGRG had a particular interest.
Clerk to get Martina sent dates and Agendas etc. Education
Committee Agendas had until recently been circulated for
information with County Forum Agenda. Clerk to arrange for the
practice to be re-instated.
JS
5. NGC Annual Conference (22/11/97 - London)
Hugh Deed and Peter High were nominated as the HGRG reps to
attend. Martina Powell and Janet Sheriton would also attend.
Clerk to arrange bookings.
JS
Reps would look for opportunities to raise our key concerns
about:
The White Paper;
Governors role in next 5 years
Communications with NGC
Content and usefulness of Annual Report & Parents Meetings.
and bring back to HGRG key issues and messages raised
elsewhere.
NGC to be notified that we now have a possible NCG council
member in Hugh Deed if vacancies arise.
It was also agreed that NGC correspondence should be via the
Clerk and logged.
NGC to be informed of address.
JS
6. Co-operation of governors to HGRG
The constitution allowed for 2 co-options to ensure all types
of school and phase were appropriately represented. It was
agreed that a letter would be sent to Chairmen of Governors of
Special schools (copies to heads) asking for nominations
JW/JS
Concern was expressed about the non-attendance of some HGRG
reps and it was agreed that "absence" as well as "apologies"
should be recorded in the minutes and that if absence was for
2 consecutive termly meetings (6 months) then the
representatives and the local Forum chairman should be
notified.
There was discussion about whether attendance at meetings would
be better if the membership was doubled to 4 reps from each
Education Area. It was decided to let the existing constitution
run for the rest of this academic year and review
representation again in the summer term.
7. HGRG Review of 86/7 and key objectives 97/8
96/7 - Because of LGR this had been a year with a lot of focus
on internal affairs and structures
97/8 - In the light of the above it must be a key objective to
be outward looking.
* HGRG members to indicate their main areas of interest to
increase involvement.
ALL
* HGRG could take a lead in providing advice/information to
GBs on consultations etc. in a digestible form enabling
governors to make informed responses more easily. Clerk to
advise on possibilities for this as they arise and decisions
on whether to proceed or not were delegated to Hugh Deed,
John Brailsford, Peter High and Jim Watt.
SJ/HD/JB/PH/JW
* Budget consultation: Where local forums had not yet met this
term reps could bring budget views to the December meeting.
Clerk to advise as soon as possible on the Education
Committee consultation date.
JS
* Conference - Whilst it was agreed that Local Area Conferences
meet most needs well. HGRG would be prepared to sponsor a
conference if the need arose.
It would be helpful if Local Forum Chairs were invited to
Conferences as a matter of course by Governor Services and
given an opportunity to promote the forum arrangements.
JS/LGSCs
8. Area Patch Items
Fareham & Gosport - There was concern at the Forum about both
lack of funds and lack of enough specific guidance from the
County on school security. Governors were finding it difficult
to decide what is adequate response from a GB in taking a
suitable line on security
During discussion examples of GB responses to this issue were
offered by representatives including how helpful the local
police had been in advising on "risk assessment". These
examples would be offered to the LEA for possible inclusion in
the next issue of Hampshire Governor. A point of contact for
further advice would be useful.
JB/DR/JS
Havant & Horndean - Concern had been expressed again at this
forum about Admission Appeal Panels and the apparently
arbitrary decisions they arrives at an that appeals are lodged
a long time after admission has been refused. Governors
questioned whether they receive enough training.
This issue had been discussed previously at HGRG and County
Governor Forum and these panels are independent and work within
a national legislative framework. They are trained. It was
agreed that whilst the concerns were shared across the county
this was not an LEA matter and would be taken up with NGC.
HD/PH
Odiham & Yateley - There had been anger at the Forum about the
non-circulation by the DfEE to schools of the "Technical
Paper". Governors would like to know how decisions on
allocation of funds under "New Deals for School" were made.
This would be asked at CGF.
Q. at CGF
Aldershot & Farnborough - Governors would like to see
considerable refinement of the regulations governing the Annual
Report and an end to the mandatory requirement to hold an
Annual Parents Meeting. HGRG agreed this should be pursued
through the NGC.
HD&PH
New Forest - Don Allen (Chair of Education Committee) had
attended the last meeting and his contribution had been very
well received. Governors would like assurance that the Able
Child project would continue to receive funding in the 1998/9
budget.
Q. at CGF
9. County Governor Forum - Draft Agenda
Item 3 - Jim Watt to replace Hugh Deed
Item 7 - School Improvement Strategy - There was general
support for the principle of what was being proposed
but concern about how it was being funded (See 3.2
above). Governors would want to see evaluation of
outcomes of funds managed centrally.
Item 11 - Personnel and Training - Governors were disturbed that
this initiative was taken without consultation with
partners in services covered by management partnership
agreements. Explanation would be sought at CGF:
Q. at CGF
of the rationale for change
the effects on SLAs
the effects on quality
This item should be moved up the CGF agenda.
Clerk
10. Chair's Items
HGRG members were reminded of the 98/9 budget meeting on
December 11th 1997 to which heads would be invited. The first
half of the meeting Special, Primary and Secondary Heads
conferences would share their Education Budget submissions with
HGRG. The second half of the meeting HGRG would debate and
agree its own submission on behalf of governors.
Early advice from the LEA of the budget meeting with Education
Committee was sought.
Clerk
[POST MEETING NOTE:
Education Committee Consultation on Budget - JANUARY 8th]
11. Treasurer's Items
Spending currently stood at £2200 but did not include:
£400 NGC subscription
£300 IT Services bill
The Clerk to check why the above were not appearing
Clerk
12. Review matters to communicate - item not taken
13. Any other business - none
The meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.
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