Hampshire Governors' Representative Group
Notes of Meeting
Wellington Room, The Castle, Winchester
19th October 1995
Present: J Watt (SW) E Pryke (SE)
H Deed (NE) J Bailey (SW)
P Whitmarsh (NE) J Rowson (CE)
I Stemp (SE) J Patterson (CE)
J Brailsford(SE) C Mar-Molinero (SW)
C Bishop (NE) J Sheriton (Clerk)
In Attendance: A Seber
1. Apologies: V Petherick (SE); T Tillman (NE); J
Ashton (CE)
2. Local Government Re-organisation - Andrew Seber outlined
the issues and principles arising from the functional
analysis stage of the consultation. By the end of
November outlines of possible structures would be
presented to a meeting of education partners.
Recommendations for re-structuring education were
expected to go to Education Committee in January or
February 1996.
Joint arrangements between the three authorities are not
essential for HCC but are desirable. The main debate
concerns the future shape of the LEA in outlining
Hampshire.
STS units are not expected to change much.
CASS - issues for governors surrounding their links to
officers.
- headteachers suggest two broad options
a) Divisional structure
b) HQ by area structure
CAPS - re-organisation gives opportunities for addressing
issues of consistency in working practices and decision
making. There is currently uneven distribution of
tribunal and appeal work round the divisions.
In answer to questions AS gave the following
information:-
The CEO would recommend to committee a formal
consultation on proposals for change but the timescale
for this was likely to be short.
That a strong message suggested schools didn't want to
upset present patch and cluster arrangements.
That which staff moved where was largely covered by
statutory arrangements.
That the Greenwich judgement (i.e. distance from school
is sole criteria) means that catchment areas will be
unaffected by three authorities.
AS was thanked for his help and left the meeting.
Discussion followed and HGRG agreed the following key
points:
- a wish for Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire to
work in partnership
- that current patches should be changed as little as
possible
- that two year SLAs should guarantee service levels
post LGR
- three Divisions was the most appropriate post LGR
structure
3&4 Election of Officers and Representatives
Hugh Deed was elected chair. It was agreed to operate
with two Vice Chairs to spread the workload.
Peter Whitmarsh - Vice Chair & NGC rep
Jim Watt - Vice Chair & communications
John Brailsford - Treasurer & Budget lead
Eddie Pryke - Education Committee rep.
5. Notes of 13/6/95 were accepted.
6. Matters Arising
- Change to constitution to reflect second Vice Chair
- No further information had been received concerning
the SEN content of Initial Teacher Training. JS to
pursue.
HD
JS
7. Education Development Plan 96/7 - HGRG Input
Paper attached as Appendix 1 following refers to that
paper.
Item 3 - HD had received a draft from CEO 'Guidance on
school expenditure' which suggested a 3% balance. HGRG
to recommend 3% or £10,000 whichever is the larger. It
was also agreed that it would be advantageous for FMS to
overtly display balances held for agreed purposes.
HD
8. Draft HGRG Information Leaflet
It was suggested that the draft be edited to a maximum of
4 sides of A4; that it should start with Patch and work
upwards through structure; that its independence from the
LEA was necessary for NGC membership; that it
should record its two members of NGC; that it has a
representative on Education Committee.
It was agreed that the draft should be edited and amended
and circulated to all HGRG members for comment to a
deadline. It would then be produced.
Other Communication Matters
It was agreed that: Patch Forum Minutes could be
included on the Hantsnet Governors Screen if individual
patches so decided.
JW
All
Governors Internet addresses should be included on
Hantsnet if they wish.
HD
It was noted that NGC was to use the Internet and via
Hantsnet (or otherwise) individual Hampshire governors
would be able to access this information.
Felicity Roe to be asked to send Education Committee
Agendas with County Governor Forum papers. HGRG members
could request copies of papers if they wished.
JS
9. Governor Training Inspection - Action Plan Update
The contents of the paper were noted. HGRG would like to
receive the evaluation of the pilot clerking service when
it was available.
10. Hampshire Governors' - Code of Practice - Draft
The draft had been produced in the North East Division in
response to requests from governors. HGRG discussion
indicated little support in the group for publication of
the code. It was felt that any code either had to be
bland or to contain criteria against which performance
could be evaluated. The latter was considered to be
likely to lead to unnecessary contention - the former to
be purposeless. HGRG proposed to take no further action.
11. County Governors Forum - Draft Agenda
Item 4 - Certificates for Governors
After discussion it was agreed that:
- recognition of governor's service was a good idea in
principle
- that "long service" was not necessarily "quality
service"
- that "monitoring quality" for award purposes was
impractical
- that about 10 years service was an appropriate
length of service for certificate purposes
- that the scheme should allow for the recognition of
"outstanding service" on the nomination of the GB
and/or HT.
- that the school rather than the LEA is the
appropriate forum for presentation purposes
- that the scheme should be applied retrospectively
and schools asked to nominate recipients.
12. Patch Items
Southampton - 2 Resolutions (Appendix 2) were considered
on:
Nursery Vouchers; and Admission Appeals; and HGRG agreed
to pursue both through NGC.
JS
Health and Safety - Glazing Regulations - HGRG supported
the concern expressed by Southampton governors and this
item would be requested as an Agenda item at CGF.
JS
South East Division - concern expressed about internal
audits request for receipting procedures for
insignificant sums of money. To be Agenda item CGF.
JS
North East Division - concern about the Health Authority
proposed reduction in funding for school services and
identification of teachers as part of the primary core
team. There had been no discussion with education. Item
for CGF Agenda - Officers to be invited to comment and
suggest ways forward.
JS
13. National Governors Council
Peter Whitmarsh, Hugh Deed and Ian Stemp would attend the
Council meeting in London on 11/11/95. JS to arrange
bookings.
JS
14. Education Committee
- A new Policy Statement of the Curriculum had been
discussed and agreed.
- The balance of funding between Primary and Secondary
was considered difficult to address when budgets
were being cut.
- External exam results were improving in Hampshire in
line with national averages.
- School balances had been discussed.
15. Treasurer's Items
£2453.68 had been spent from the £10,000 budget.
16. Matters to Communicate to Patches etc.
- Action on Auditors
- Glazing
- NGC items
- New recruitment leaflet
All
17. Any Other Business
HD had written again to Secretary of State about
education funding for 96/7 and suggesting a visit to
examine HCC budget.
HD apologies for CGF. J Watt to present HGRG feedback.
HGRG 96/7 Budget Discussion Dec 13th
PC and HT and Chairman to be invited along with HT
Conference representatives
JS
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