Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 18 September 2001.
PRESENT:
M.J. Kendal (Chairman); Mrs S.E. Allbright; Mrs A.E. Bailey; Mrs E.M. Byrom; M.F. Cartwright; K.G. Chapman; Ms R. Clarke; C. Connor; B.D. Dash; Mrs P.M. Devereux; R.J. Ellis; J.K. Glen; Mrs D.R. Harrison; Jo Kelly; R. Kimber; Mrs P. Lerew; Revd. R. Lindley; Mrs P.G. Peskett; G.W. Porter; Mrs E.M.F. Randall; K.P.J. Searle; M.L. Sheehan; J.W. Stocks; Revd. D.M. Turner; J.G.L. Wall; Mrs P.A. West.
1. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
The Chairman reported that Hampshire's Education Department, and in particular the Deputy County Education Officer, John Clarke, had been invited to help Swindon Borough Council following the publication of their OFSTED inspection report. This assignment was likely to be on a part-time basis and was expected to last until Easter 2002. Members endorsed the arrangement to share Hampshire's good practice, to the benefit of Swindon and pupils in its schools. It was reported that the Education Department had received the Investors in People award, on which the County Education Officer and staff were warmly congratulated. It was further reported that the Government had published the White Paper "Schools - Achieving Success", which would be the subject of consultation with partners and report to a future meeting of the Education Policy Review Committee.
2. POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEES AND THE CONSTITUTION
The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive (Item 1 in the Minute Book) setting out the provisions of the Constitution in so far as they related to Policy Review Committees. Copies of the full Constitution were in the process of being circulated to all Members. The Chief Executive confirmed that the Free Churches representative, Revd D.M. Turner, was not entitled to a vote. Members noted their new role as set out in the report: policy development, scrutiny of Executive decisions and Best Value Reviews.
3. BEST VALUE ROLE AND PROGRAMME FOR THIS COMMITTEE
The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive (Item 2 in the Minute Book) outlining the County Council's approach to Best Value, the five year programme and the current review programme for the Education Policy Review Committee. In response to questions, it was explained that the Best Value Review of the Youth Service was being conducted as a cross-cutting review, with the ultimate outcomes being reported the Cabinet. There was discussion on arrangements for Members of the Education Policy Review Committee to participate in the Best Value Reviews for the current year, and it was suggested that in addition to elected Members, there was a useful contribution which could be made by Co-opted Members and also by non-education elected Members, and appropriate opportunities would be sought for such involvement to enable other interested Members to contribute. It was noted that Best Value Reviews did not apply to schools (87% of the Education budget), but only to the 13% of Local Education Authority services provided centrally.
RESOLVED:
That the Best Value Review timetable for this Committee be noted and endorsed, as set out in the Appendix to the report, in order to ensure that Members are aware of the opportunities to be involved in the reviews.
4. BEST VALUE REVIEWS - PROGRESS REPORT
The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) giving details of Best Value Reviews currently under way. These were Governor Services; the Music Service; the School Library Service; the Hampshire Inspection and Advisory Service; the Education Training Agency; and the Education Psychology Service. The Sub-Committee received and noted the report on progress with these reviews.
5. TARGETS FOR DELEGATION TO SCHOOLS FROM APRIL 2002 AND CONSULTATION PROPOSALS
The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer and County Treasurer (Item 4 in the Minute Book). Members endorsed the consultation
proposals for achieving targets for delegation to schools of 87% for 2002 and discussion of the possible target of 90% for 2003.
RESOLVED:
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education that
The governors and headteachers of every maintained school in Hampshire be consulted on the proposals to:
(i) Delegate Insurance, School Library Service, School Meals and Kitchens, maternity cover of teachers to all schools from 1 April 2002.
(ii) Amend the Scheme of Financial Management as in Appendix 2 to the report.
(iii) Amend the formula to reflect the new Learning Skills Council funding of sixth formers when discussions with heads of 11 to 18 schools are complete.
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