Archived decisions

                      ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 25 March 2003.

PRESENT:

M.J. Kendal (Chairman); Mrs V. Assinder; Mrs A.E. Bailey; F. Bright; K.G. Chapman; Ms P. Clarke; Ms R. Clarke; C. Connor; T. Coupland; B.D. Dash; J.J. Dawson; Mrs P.M. Devereux; R.J. Ellis; Mrs K. Heron; Mrs M. Humber; Mrs R. Jenkins; S.W. Juniper; Jo Kelly; R. Kimber; Mrs P. Lerew; Mrs C.A. Leversha; Mrs A. McNair Scott; Mrs P.G. Peskett; G.W. Porter; M.L. Sheehan; J.W. Stocks; Mrs U. Topp; Revd. D.M. Turner; D.F. Wright.

Also present: Councillor D.G. Allen, Executive Member for Education.

Councillor A. Dowden, local Member for Minute 104.

100. 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 and Councillor Jo Kelly declared an interest arising on Item 6 (Minute 105) in that they were also members of the Admissions Forum. 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.

101. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 January 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minute 98: Advanced Schools

The County Education Officer reported that the advanced schools scheme had been withdrawn by the Government.

102. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported with sadness on the death in a road accident of a pupil from Bransgore travelling to Arnewood School, New Milton; he extended sympathy to the school, family and friends of the victim and outlined the support given by the Local Education Authority to help schools and their pupils in such circumstances. The Chairman, together with several other Members, paid tribute to the long and distinguished service by George Heller, who would be retiring in April. As this was his last meeting of the Education Policy Review Committee, Members wished him a long and happy retirement and expressed their thanks for his contribution to Education in Hampshire.

103. DEPUTATIONS

The Committee received deputations from Mr G. Lane and Mrs S. Eshraghi, both parents of children in the class at Toynbee School referred to in Minute 104 below.
They also received a deputation from Mr G. Hamilton, Chairman of Governors, Lankhills School.

104. LANKHILLS (OSBORNE) SCHOOL: CLOSURE OF OFF-SITE CLASS AT TOYNBEE SCHOOL

The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on proposals for the permanent closure of the off-site class at Toynbee School. The County Education Officer gave a detailed explanation of the reasoning behind the proposal, in the light of the reorganisation of special education in the Eastleigh/Winchester area. During discussion attention was drawn to the recruitment problems faced by Lankhills School, with particular regard to logistical, managerial and educational difficulties. Many Members stressed the importance of making proper individual provision for the educational and social needs of each of the children currently in the Toynbee class who would be affected by any change. They referred to the programme of Outreach work which would be undertaken by Lankhills School, with particular reference to its development of close links with mainstream secondary schools in its immediate vicinity. Members generally felt that there would be a wide range of options for secondary education which could be discussed in detail with the parents of the children, and that every effort would be made to avoid unnecessary disruption to their educational and social development.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised that the approval of the Secretary of State for Education and Skills be requested to the closure of Lankhills (Osborne) School's off-site class at Toynbee School.

105. DETERMINATION OF SCHOOL ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS 2004/05

The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to admissions policies and other related admission arrangements for the year 2004/05. It was explained that there was little flexibility as the arrangements amounted to a national admissions framework with standard dates and co-ordinated arrangements. For September 2004 admissions, the decisions and their notification would remain devolved to schools under the arrangements which were tried and tested in Hampshire. It was explained that under the co-ordinated arrangements, it appeared that the task of notification could not be devolved. Therefore, for 2005 admissions, the decisions and their notification would be undertaken by the County Council centrally (notification on the specified national date of 15 March). It was indicated that this additional work would have resource implications. Attention was drawn to the work of the Admissions Forum and to the effective liaison established with the nine adjoining local admissions authorities. An explanation was given of turbulence and its effects on admissions.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised that the Education Policy Review Committee supports the following recommendations in relation to admission arrangements for 2004 admissions:

    (i) That the revised admissions policies for community and voluntary controlled schools set out in appendices 1 and 2 be adopted by the County Council.

    (ii) That a separate published admission number for boarding pupils be published on behalf of The Kings' and The Westgate Schools for 2004 admissions.

    (iii) That the County Education Officer, on behalf of the County Council, and having regard to any advice from the Admission Forum, be empowered:

      · to approve PANs by 15 April where decisions remain outstanding after the Executive Member decisions day (27 March)

      · to lodge an objection to the Adjudicator to any PAN set by an admission authority school which is felt to be inappropriate,

      taking into account factors at the school, the possible effect on admissions to other schools and the results of consultations.

    (iv) That the County Education Officer be empowered on behalf of the County Council, to authorise the publication of local notices, as required by legislation, in those instances where there is agreement with governors of community and voluntary controlled schools that a lower PAN should be published.

    (v) That the scheme for coordination of admission to secondary schools in September 2004 be approved for further consultation with schools and neighbouring LEAs and that, after consultation with the Executive Member for Education, the County Education Officer be empowered to approve the final scheme after final consideration by the Admission Forum on 18 June 2003.

106. DEVELOPERS' CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS EDUCATION FACILITIES

The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the Policy Statement "Developers' Contributions towards Education Facilities".

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised to approve the Policy Statement "Developers' Contributions towards Education Facilities - March 2003", as set out in the appendix to Item 7 in the Minute Book, and that the principles be included in the proposed Supplementary Planning Guidance relating to contributions towards County Council services.

107. BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT PLAN - MONITORING

The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on progress with the various activities contained within the behaviour support plan. Particular attention was drawn to the good progress made in extending behaviour support teams throughout the County, ahead of schedule. Concerns were expressed at the numbers of permanent exclusions and at the resultant pressure on staff and space in Education Centres.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised to note the contents of the report and to endorse the progress made on each activity set out therein.

108. OPTIONS REPORT OF THE EDUCATION WELFARE SERVICE BEST VALUE REVIEW

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive together with report of the project team (both set out at Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the Best Value Review of the Education Welfare Service.

RESOLVED:

That the Best Value Review Team for the Education Welfare Service develops an improvement plan based on:

    · Option 4 - Retaining a centrally funded and managed service, but undertaking a pilot study locating Education Welfare Officers in schools.

    · The service improvements listed in paragraph 10.1 of the Review Team's report.

109. FIRST AND SECOND YEAR BEST VALUE REVIEWS

The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on progress with the action plans arising from the 13 Best Value Reviews already completed.

RESOLVED:

That Executive Member for Education be advised:

    (i) To agree that satisfactory progress has been made in implementing the action plans of the year 1 and year 2 Best Value Reviews.

    (ii) To accept that the future development of these year 1 and year 2 services reviewed under Best Value be monitored through the arrangements for business and service planning.

110. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING 2002/03

The Committee considered a report of the County Treasurer and County Education Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the current year's revenue budget for the Education Service.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised to note the contents of the report.

111. REVISION TO HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL'S SCHEME OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR SCHOOLS AND FORMULA FUNDING CHANGES

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and County Education Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on proposed changes to the scheme and formula funding for schools.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised:

    (i) That approval be given to the proposed revisions to the Hampshire County Council scheme for Financial Management of Schools as they have been supported by schools and the revised text be submitted to the Department for Education and Skills for formal approval.

    (ii) That the changes to the funding formulae for schools, or supported by schools, be reflected in school budget shares.

112. REVIEW OF THE OUTDOOR EDUCATION SERVICE

The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on progress with the implementation plan for the Outdoor Education Service and on health and safety in outdoor pursuits.

RESOLVED:

That the Education Policy Review Committee:

    (i) Recognises that Hampshire County Council provision in this area of its work, provided through the Outdoor Education Unit, is a good service at the forefront of practice nationally.

    (ii) Recognises that the Outdoor Service provided through the Outdoor Education Unit, Education Department and the Recreation and Heritage Department, is able to demonstrate that inter-departmental working can provide clear and effective corporate leadership and successful practice in this area of work.

113. MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

There were no questions submitted by Members.

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