Archived decisions
ITEM 2
AT A MEETING of the EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 21 January 2003.
PRESENT:
M.J. Kendal (Chairman); Mrs S.E. Allbright; Mrs V. Assinder; Mrs A.E. Bailey; D.J. Belfield; Carol Boulton; P.R. Brown; Mrs E.M. Byrom; M.F. Cartwright; K.G. Chapman; Ms P. Clarke; C. Connor; T. Coupland; B.D. Dash; J.J. Dawson; R.J. Ellis; Mrs J. Heron; Mrs M. Humber; S.W. Juniper; Jo Kelly; R. Kimber; Mrs P. Lerew; Mrs C.A. Leversha; Revd. R.A. Lindley; D. Mewes; Mrs P.G. Peskett; G.W. Porter; Mrs E.M.F. Randall; M.L. Sheehan; J.W. Stocks; Mrs U. Topp; Rev. D.M. Turner; J.G.L. Wall; Mrs P.A. West; D.F. Wright.
Also present: Councillor D.G. Allen, Executive Member for Education.
86. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
Mrs Assinder, Mr Coupland, Councillor Mrs Bailey, Councillor Jo Kelly and Councillor Mrs West declared an interest arising on Item 8 (Minute 94) in that they were also members of the Admissions Forum. Councillor Mrs Peskett declared an interest arising from Item 7 (Minute 92) in that she was a governor of St. Bede CE (Controlled) Primary School, Winchester. The Chief Executive confirmed that none of the above interests amounted to personal or personal prejudicial interests and that the members concerned could remain in the meeting and speak during the course of the relevant debates.
87. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 November 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
88. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported the resignation of Mrs Carol Barfoot as one of the parent governor representatives. He welcomed Mrs Urszula Topp to her first meeting as the representative of the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Diocese.
89. DEPUTATIONS
The Committee received deputations on behalf of parents and governors at Worting Junior School; and Worting Infant School, both relating to the item on the organisation of primary education in that area referred to in Minute 90 below.
90. ORGANISATION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN THE BUCKSKIN AREA OF BASINGSTOKE
The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of consultations on the future of Worting Infant and Worting Junior Schools. The County Education Officer amplified his report and stressed that both were good schools. The trend of declining pupil numbers in the area meant that they would become vulnerable as resources diminished; it was therefore necessary to take action now to reduce the over-supply of school places when measured against likely demand for children both now and projected into the future. In response to questions he confirmed that the option of a one-form entry school at Worting had been considered, but discounted since it gave little flexibility and did not leave adequate provision for early years, special needs, potential growth in demand and community facilities which were an important factor in the area. Leaving substantial numbers of surplus places in the area would mean that resources were not being used efficiently.
During the course of debate some Members felt that they would have liked to see more details on financial and building issues of the reorganisation as proposed. However most felt that the option to provide a 1.5 form entry primary school had many merits and was likely to be attractive to parents, their children and to the community more widely. They drew particular attention to the following:
· The fact that the school's infrastructure, and the design brief, left flexibility to extend from 1.5 form entry to 2 form entry in future if need be.
· The 1.5 form entry option still left an element of surplus places which gave ample scope for any more children who came from any new local housing development; it also left space for special needs and early years.
· Such a school could provide a focus for the social and community needs of the Buckskin area.
· The difficulties posed by mixed-age classes were acknowledged, but members accepted that declining numbers would inevitably mean mixed-age classes in the present schools in any event because of financial pressures.
· A strong, well resourced primary school was felt to be the best way forward as a means of further improving educational standards to the benefit of all children in the area.
It was therefore
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Education be advised to publish statutory notices to propose the closure of Worting Infant School and Worting Junior School and the establishment of a 1.5 form entry primary school, with funded nursery education provision, on the Worting Junior School site.
91. REVENUE BUDGET 2003/04
The Committee considered a report of the County Treasurer and County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the proposed Education revenue budget for 2003/04. The County Education Officer referred to the consultations undertaken with the Schools Forum and the Trade Unions; he also explained a last-minute announcement by the Department for Education and Skills on entitlements for free school meals with effect from April 2003, which was likely to mean an additional cost of £300,000. In considering the potential impact of 1% and 1½ % savings, members generally expressed disquiet at the prospect of having to make any reductions to front line services. Specific concerns were expressed at the prospect of any reduction in denominational transport or post-16 transport; anxieties at the prospect of holding staff vacancies; a general desire to extend the Behaviour Support Service more quickly to more areas of the County; and reluctance to see any potential reductions in teachers' premature retirement provision.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Education be advised as follows:
(i) That the Education Revenue Budget 2003/04 and Revised Budget for 2002/03 be approved for submission to the Cabinet as follows:
· virement to capital totalling £890,000 of which £190,000 is to fund adaptations at the Bridge Centre, Eastleigh and £700,000 to meet the Education Service's contribution to the rebuilding costs of St. Bede; CE (Controlled) Primary School, Winchester;
· the net forecast savings in 2002/03 totalling £1,284,000 be carried forward to 2003/04;
· the base budget (as set out in Appendix 1 and Annexes 1 and 4);
· the efficiency improvements and savings (as set out in Appendix 2);
· the proposals for new growth and redeployment of resources: Schools and LEA Blocks (Appendix 3);
· the review of charges (as set out in Appendix 4);
· the Education budget (as set out in Appendix 5);
· the summarised trading accounts for business units (as set out in Appendix 6);
· the implications of the new funding system for Education and, in particular, the extent to which the passported increase in schools' funding, both from the schools' formula spending share and from specific grants meets identified costs and pressures.
(ii) That the Executive Member for Education be advised that the Committee acknowledges the work of the Schools Forum in shaping the budget proposals; supports the funding arrangements summarised in paragraph 11.1 on page 15; and registers concern that any proposals to achieve up to 1.5% savings would force the County Council to remove all discretionary support especially on home to school transport.
92. CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2003/04 TO 2006/07
The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer and County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the proposed Education Capital Programme. An amendment sheet correcting some of the figures was circulated at the meeting. Members welcomed the enhanced level of capital programme achieved and endorsed the principle of a loan scheme to fund building developments where repayments were involved. They noted the need to show demonstrable community benefit in cases where it was proposed to dispose of surplus school playing fields.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Education be advised to approve:
(a) the capital programme for 2003/04 to 2006/07 as set out in Appendix 1 for submission to the Cabinet;
(b) the siting of a double temporary classroom accommodation at the Woodside Education Centre, Colden Common
(c) that the Executive Member, Policy and Resources be asked to approve:
(i) an allocation of £0.6m to Education capital programme resources for 2003/04, in respect of the receipts from the sale of the former sites of John Hanson Community School, Andover;
(ii) an allocation of £2.5m to Education capital programme resources for 2003/04 from the County Council's Insurance Fund in respect of the fire at Beech Down Primary School, Basingstoke in November 2000;
(iii) additions to the 2002/03 capital programme totalling £940,000 (subject to agreement on funding);
(iv) deferrals from the 2002/03 capital programme to 2003/04 totalling £4.866m;
(v) removal of LEA liability provision of £0.152m in the 2002/03 capital programme for projects at voluntary aided schools;
(vi) the application for temporary classroom accommodation at the Woodside Education Centre, Colden Common until 31 August 2006.
93. CHANGES TO "RELEVANT AREAS" FOR CONSULTATION ON ADMISSIONS ARRANGEMENTS
The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 8A in the Minute Book) on the determination of "relevant areas" for admissions purposes.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Education be advised as follows:
That the recommendations made by the Hampshire Admission Forum relating to a revised structure for "relevant areas" be adopted by the County Council and, as required by the legislation, implemented with effect from the consulting period leading up to September 2004 admissions.
94. RECONSTITUTION OF THE HAMPSHIRE ADMISSION FORUM
The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 8B in the Minute Book) on proposed changes to the membership of the Admission Forum. Whilst it was recognised that legislation left little flexibility, Members expressed their concern at the elimination of separate parent and governor representation on the Admission Forum; and the requirement instead that the elected parent governor representatives who served on the Education Committee should also be required to serve on the Admission Forum.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Education be advised as follows:
(i) That the Hampshire Admission Forum be established in accordance with the new statutory requirements;
(ii) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the County Council that delegated authority be given to the Executive Member for Education to make individual appointments to the Hampshire Admission Forum having regard to nominations and recommendations as required by legislation and in accordance with the existing Forum's recommendations concerning term of office.
95. PROJECT BRIEF OF THE BEST VALUE REVIEW FOR EDUCATION OTHER THAN AT SCHOOL(EOTAS) SERVICES
The Committee considered a report of the Best Value Team, together with a report of the County Education Officer (Items 9A and 9B respectively in the Minute Book) on the proposed scope of the review.
RESOLVED:
That the Best Value Review of the Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) Service proceed in accordance with the approach and timetable outlined in the project brief.
96. PROGRESS AGAINST THE OFSTED ACTION PLAN
The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) monitoring progress against the actions contained in the Ofsted Action Plan.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Education be advised.
That the Committee endorses the completion of the majority of the activities and success criteria in the Ofsted Action Plan and recommends that the Executive Member "signs off" the plan subject to further Education Department Management Team monitoring of those very few activities and success criteria not yet completed.
97. CHILDREN'S FUND
The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer and Director of Social Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the partnership arrangements being developed to further the County Council's corporate preventative work for children in need and on the draft Children's Fund Plan. The latter had been endorsed by the partnership and by the Executive Member for Social Care. Members drew attention to the importance of concentrating on areas of social deprivation; the establishment of effective links with schools and the local community; and the promotion of Positive Parenting.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee welcomes the opportunity afforded by the Children's Fund to develop further the County Council's corporate preventative work for children in need, through partnerships with key stakeholders in the County.
98. ADVANCED SCHOOLS
The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) setting out a proposed policy in respect of applications from schools for advanced school status. A revised policy statement was circulated in which criterion 1 had been amended by the addition of the words "compared with schools in similar circumstances" after the words "Hampshire secondary schools" in line 2.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Education be advised
To adopt the policy statement: Advanced Schools, as amended and set out in Appendix 1 of this report.
99. MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
Councillor D.G. Allen, Executive Member for Education, answered a question from Revd. R. Lindley concerning the statutory requirement for a daily act of collective worship in schools. He explained that he had taken the opportunity to write to the new Secretary of State for Education and Employment pointing out to him the inability of governors in many schools to meet their statutory duties relating to collective worship; he hoped that the outcome might be that the Secretary of State would consult all interested parties on any potential change in legislation.
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