Hampshire Governors' Representative Group
Notes of meeting
Date 23 May 2001
Time 6.00 pm
Venue The Professional Centre,
Winchester
Present Robin Gray Fleet
Cynthia Hicks Winchester
John Mason Winchester
Jim Watt New Forest
Glyn Wadey Havant
Vernon Petherick Havant
Ginny Assinder Parent Rep Education
Committee
John Brailsford Havant
Sylvia Vine Havant
Lynn Hodges Parent Rep Education
Committee
Ian Chrystie Fleet
Graham Ellicott Sixth form co-opt
Apologies Mrs C Barfoot Parent Rep Education
Committee
Martina Humber New Forest
Wendy Boyle Fleet
Linda Lawson Special School Co-opt
Action
1. Lynn Hodges (Parent Rep Education Committee)
was welcomed to her first meeting of HGRG.
A letter of resignation from HGRG had been
received from Linda Lawson. Agreed that JS/AD
clerk would write to Linda expressing thanks
of HGRG members for her contribution to its
work
2. Notes of 31 January 2001 were agreed as a
correct record.
3. Matters arising
31/1/01- Item 3 4/10/00 - The clerk
confirmed that the Representing Hampshire
Governors leaflet was being distributed with
the current mailing of Hampshire Governor.
The cost would fall in the 0102 financial
year.
31/1/01 - Item 6 - An analysis of
consultation responses to DfEE proposals on
school governing bodies had been received.
Surprise was expressed that the DfEE intended
to undertake further work.
4. Draft County Governor Forum Agenda
The clerk was asked to point out to the
department that the absence of papers with
the agenda makes it very difficult for HGRG
to debate the items.
Item 4 - LEA Ofsted - the report had not been
sent with the agenda.
Issues were raised in relation to the
re-organisation of EOTAS and the Phobic
Units. Concern amongst staff was reported
that the re-organisation is ill-advised and
will weaken provision. HGRG agreed that to
avoid conflicts of interest Ian Chrystie
should be briefed on the issues and would
raise at CGF if appropriate.
Item 5 - Education Capital Programme - if
this is an information only item and requires
no debate/input from HGRG circulate papers
and place as IFO item at end of agenda.
Item 6 - Service Level Agreements - absence
of papers makes it difficult to comment
Item 7 - Ofsted Inspection Hampshire Music JS
Service - the clerk indicated that HMS had
recently had its own ofsted Inspection and
this item referred to that (not the LEA
Ofsted).
Item 8 - National Governor Induction JS
Programme - the clerk outlined central
government intentions to produce national
materials. Hampshire would review current
provision against these and make any
adjustments which would improve current
practice. Paper for CGF
Item 9 - Best Value Review - Support for
Governors - the clerk outlined the timetable
and content of the best value review. Paper
for CGF.
Item 10 - Strategy for Consulting Governors-
This item arose from concerns in the New
Forest forum that Hampshire Governor Services
had not undertaken distribution of the School JW
Governing Bodies Consultation document when
the DfEE had decided to give it only limited
circulation. HGRG discussed the issues
surrounding DfEE and HCC communications with TW
schools and the role of HGRG and Local Forums
in consultation arrangements. The whole
issue of communication and the place of the
forum network needed to be discussed in the
light of the modernisation agenda. It was
agreed that item 10 should be removed from
the CGF agenda and modernisation should be
added. HGRG would like to know what is
planned by way of modernisation and when it
will happen.
Item 15 - Teacher Recruitment - HGRG would
like JW to cover the whole area of the
various "inducements" now available to aid
recruitment.
Item 16 - LMS Delegation Targets - If this is
information only TW need not attend. If he
does attend would he prefer a higher agenda
slot?
5 DfEE Consultation - School Prospectuses and
Governors' Annual Reports
The proposals had been discussed in some
local forums. There were concerns about the
pro-forma questions and the absence of a "GB"
box on the form. The general feeling was the
proposed amalgamation was silly and would
increase not decrease the circulation of
paper. The DfEE needed to be less IC
prescriptive about what information needs to
be published and abolish the Annual Meeting.
The Chairman would write a letter as the HGRG
response.
6. Communication with Area Fora - This had been
covered under CGF Agenda Item 10 (see 4
above)
7. Correspondence - The log had been circulated
Good Practice Group - The clerk thanked HGRG
members who had agreed to help. Hazel had
received offers of help from quite a few
governors. An attempt had been made to
involve governors not already committing
considerable time to HGS or county matters in
order not to overload HGRG. Consequently
Alison Winnik, Ian Cooke and Lynda Byrne
would be approached first. Other names would
be kept in reserve and called on if
necessary. HGRG endorsed this approach and
commented favourably on the strengths of
those on the list.
8. Chairman's Items
Nothing to report
9. Treasurer's Items
The 00/01 budget had outturned at £4608.
The 01/02 draft budget was tabled and agreed.
Updated mileage rates would be circulated
with these minutes. AD
10. HGRG Reps feedback from meetings
a) Education Committee - No feedback in
absence of Martina Humber
b) NGC - No-one had been able to attend the
last council meeting so nothing to report.
c) Numeracy Strategy - Meeting next month.
d) VT Southern Careers - This group seemed to
be in a state of flux. Vernon Petherick had
taken over from Martina Humber but the first
meeting he was due to attend was cancelled at
short notice. Meetings were held very early
in the morning and all over the county. This
was inconvenient for Vernon and he wished to
stand down. Before HGRG considered JS
replacement they would welcome clarification
of the future of this group. The clerk to
check with the CEO whether anything is known.
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e) Asset Management Plans - John Mason
reported that the DfEE had approved county
plan. There were problems with schools
recognising that the delegated capital budget
must fund priorities in the school's AMP.
HGRG considered that a plain guide to
delegated capital funds and their uses was
called for. The SE Forum had had a talk from
Shirley Turner about these matters which had
been very helpful. John Mason said that a
round of events for governors were being
planned for the Autumn.
11 Local Forum Items
Havant - Discussion re APT&C staff and terms
of service.
Fleet - Discussions re role of HGRG - CGF and
area forums displayed lack of understanding
of forum network.
Winchester - No forum item but issue raised
re locating Early Years Centre in the area
and concern about the proper involvement of
GBs in the decision.
Fareham & Gosport - Two local headteachers
had attended for discussion of issues with
forum. Worries were about KS3 and
prescriptiveness but in the main it had been
an optimistic and enthusiastic exchange.
-
high levels of frustration with
Education Welfare Services were
expressed locally including concerns
about the quality of EWOs. Delays in
the flow of money to support pupils
with SEN whilst assessment is delayed
is causing real concern and governors
are asking why SENCOs can't make the
assessments. Sheila Arney had been
invited next term.
The clerk advised-
Issues concerning individual EWOs
should be taken up using the
appropriate procedures - not a CGF
matter.
HGRG should raise at CGF a request for
a discussion with Robin Thomas re
funding and assessment issues. John
Brailsford, Jim Watt and Glyn Wadey
would be interested in meeting Robin.
12. Any Other Business
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Delays were reported to a planned
refurbishment due last October and HGRG was
asked whether others had problems with the
Property Department.
John Brailsford reported that following a HCC
press release on governor vacancies a
negative letter had appeared in Portsmouth
News. He had written in response to that
letter to redress the balance. AD
Jim Watt gave apologies for County Governor
Forum.
The clerk was asked to update HGRG membership
list including e-mails and circulate with the
minutes.
The meeting closed at 8.45 pm
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