Archived decisions
ITEM 2
AT A MEETING of the EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 15 July 2003.
PRESENT:
M.J. Kendal (Chairman); Mrs V. Assinder; Mrs A.E. Bailey; I.F.E. Beagley; D.J. Belfield; Carol Boulton; F.J. Bright; Mrs E.M. Byrom; M.F. Cartwright; K.G. Chapman; Ms P. Clarke; Ms R. Clarke; C. Connor; J.J. Dawson; Mrs P.M. Devereux; R. Ellis; Mrs J.K. Frankum; Mrs K. Heron; Mrs R. Jenkins; Jo Kelly; R. Kimber; Mrs C.A. Leversha; Revd. R.A. Lindley; Mrs A.M. McNair Scott; D. Mayer; Mrs P.G. Peskett; G.W. Porter; Mrs E.M.F. Randall; J.W. Stocks; Revd. D.M. Turner; J.G.L. Wall; Mrs P.A. West; D. White; D.F. Wright.
Also present: Councillor D.G. Allen, Executive Member for Education.
125 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. All Members declared an interest in the item relating to the School Organisation Plan because of their involvement, many as governors, in schools within their local communities. Mr Mayer declared an interest in the item on South East Hampshire schools on the grounds that he was a parent governor representing the special schools category. The Chief Executive advised that these did not amount to prejudicial interests and that the Members concerned could remain in the meeting and speak during the course of the relevant debate.
126 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 20 May 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the addition of Revd. R. Lindley to the list of those present.
127 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported that Pat Lerew had resigned from membership of the Education Policy Review Committee as one of the teachers' representatives, because of her national commitments with NASUWT. It was agreed that a letter of appreciation should be sent in recognition of her contribution to the work of this Committee and the former Education Committee. The Teachers' Liaison Panel had appointed Mr David White from Yateley School as her successor, and the Chairman welcomed him to the meeting.
The Chairman expressed thanks to PC Mark Smith of Twyford Police Station for the prompt action he had taken and which had prevented serious fire damage at Shepherds Down School. He congratulated four secondary schools: Hounsdown, Purbrook Park, Neville Lovett and Westgate on their achievement in being designated as specialist schools. He welcomed the recent lottery award made to the Countryside Education Trust at Beaulieu. He went on to report on the Local Government Association conference and referred in particular to the budgetary problems affecting schools this year. He mentioned the prospect of a three-year pay deal for teachers being agreed and on the need for early announcements and effective arrangements to be made in order to enable schools and local education authorities to plan ahead. Statements on this aspect, and on the role of local education authorities in funding schools, were expected from the Secretary of State for Education and Skills later in the week. In response to questions, it was explained that some teacher jobs had been lost in Hampshire, mostly as a consequence of falling school rolls, but there had been 6 whose posts had been lost because of school funding problems. In conclusion the Chairman notified the Committee that a follow up report on racial incidents in schools would be submitted to them at their October meeting.
128 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations notified on this occasion.
129 SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE - SCHOOL FOR PUPILS WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DIFFICULTIES AND REPLACEMENT OF WOODLANDS EDUCATION CENTRE
The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of consultations relating to these proposed developments. In response to questions, it was explained that there was continuing close liaison with Havant Borough Council on planning issues, particularly planning permission for residential development which was an essential part of the funding package; the mix of social/key worker housing; and the need for open space, recreational and community provision within the area. Members of the Committee were convinced of the urgent need to replace both Sundridge and Woodlands on educational grounds, and were confident that suitable agreements would be reached with Havant Borough Council on the various outstanding issues. The close involvement of local County Councillors was welcomed and would continue.
RESOLVED:
That the following advice be offered to the Executive Member for Education:
(i) That the responses from consultations as summarised in the report be noted.
(ii) That Sundridge School be transferred to the Woolston Road site which should be developed as replacement premises for the school; in addition that the school be enlarged to cater for 49 secondary aged boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties; both proposals being subject to the availability of capital funding.
(iii) That the replacement premises for Woodlands Education Centre be built on part of the former Park House Primary School site in Park House Farm Way, Havant.
130 DRAFT SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN 2003/04 - 2007/08
The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on arrangements for the publication of the plan. The main trends were demographic, in particular a further 10% drop in numbers of primary school pupils, followed by a drop of 7% in numbers of secondary school pupils after a peak of numbers was reached next year. This trend of falling school rolls inevitably meant that proposals for rationalisation, removal of surplus capacity and improvements to provide specialist facilities such as early years would continue to be brought forward in order to remove or re-use surplus accommodation. During the course of debate Members made reference to numerous local issues and suggested amendments as follows:
(i) Clarify page 20 (EOTAS) to explain the educational provision made for excluded pupils and to elucidate the reference to "5 hours".
(ii) Amend section B, paragraph 4 so that the heading reads "proposals where public notices have been published but decisions have not yet been taken by the School Organisation Committee".
(iii) Concerns at the impact in terms of pupil numbers on further housing developments for which planning permission might be granted - it was explained that the plan incorporated provision for likely pupil numbers emerging from all residential development for which planning permission had been granted, but not for any other sites where such permission remained speculative.
These and other points of detail would be corrected in the final draft of the plan, which would ultimately be forwarded for approval to the School Organisation Committee in December.
RESOLVED:
That the following advice be offered to the Executive Member for Education:
That the draft School Organisation Plan 2003/04 - 2007/08 be approved for publication and consultation, on the basis of the amendments summarised above and to other minor points of detail and presentation.
131 FINAL ACCOUNTS 2002/03
The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the final accounts of the Education Service for the year ended 31 March 2003. Questions were asked on the need for and costs of upgrades to recently installed computer systems at schools, to which the officers would respond in writing. Reference was also made to the costs of EOTAS provision for excluded pupils and it was noted that there had been a substantial rise in the numbers of permanent exclusions from schools. The financial and organisational effects of this would be taken into account in the course of the best value review of the EOTAS service.
RESOLVED:
That the following advice be offered to the Executive Member for Education:
(i) That the final accounts for 2002/03 be approved.
(ii) That the Cabinet be requested to approve the carry-forward of £8,000 representing the Education Service's 50% share of the net underspending for 2002/03.
132 RECYCLING SERVICE FOR SCHOOLS
The Committee considered a report of the County Education Officer and Directors of Environment/Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the proposal to provide a source-separated recycling service to all Hampshire schools as part of a wider project to encourage schools to adopt sustainable practices. Members strongly supported the principle of recycling as part of the County Council's sustainability policy. They drew attention to the following points:
· The need for care in the location of bin storage at schools, in order to minimise the possibility of vandalism or arson.
· Some doubts as to whether schools, given their financial difficulties, would be able to afford investment in recycling.
· The suggestion that the County Council might need to offer some form of financial incentive in order to induce schools to participate in the waste recycling initiative.
RESOLVED:
That the proposed source-separated recycling service for schools as
summarised in the report be strongly supported, and that the Executive
Member for Education be asked to advise the Cabinet to bear in mind the
three specific points referred to above in order to ensure the successful
implementation of the scheme by schools.
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