AT A MEETING of the SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE held at Falcon House, Romsey Road, Winchester on Friday, 23 May, 2003

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: Don Allen

Brian Dash
Raymond Ellis

Jo Kelly

Roger Kimber (alternate Member for Councillor Michael Cartwright)
Mrs. Edith Randall

Dr. John Wall

Church of England

Alex Young
Rev. Canon David Issac

Rev. Canon Richard Lindley

Roman Catholic Church

Mrs. Ursula Topp

Mrs Sheila Allen

School Governors

Geoffrey Newsome

Jack Carruthers

Tom Wickstead
Rev. John Buxton

Mrs. Sylvia Vine

Frank Rust

Apologies

Councillor Michael Cartwright - Hampshire County Council

Simon Tong - Church of England

Rob Wood - Church of England

Stephanie Quant - Learning and Skills Council

Alan Fender - School Governors

Veronica Roberts - Roman Catholic Church

74 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Richard Lindley be appointed Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.


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RICHARD LINDLEY IN THE CHAIR

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75 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Tom Wickstead be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

76 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chairman welcomed those in attendance and in particular welcomed Councillor Roger Kimber, who was substituting for Councillor Michael Cartwright of Hampshire County Council. The Chairman also informed the Committee that this would be Geoffrey Newsome's last meeting as he was stepping down as a governor of Ringwood School after many years service. The Committee wished him well and thanked him for his time and commitment.


77 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Friday 18 October, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.


78 DEPUTATIONS

The Committee received seven deputations in the following order relating to Minute No. 79 below:

Supporting:

(i) Worting Junior School - Jenny Barker (SEN Governor), Lesley Gray (Parent Governor, Chairman of Friends of Worting Junior School and parent in both schools) and Mrs. Sarah Hamill (Headteacher of Worting Junior School).

Objecting:

(ii) Mrs. E. Warner - parent (letter G).

(iii) Mrs. G. Eagle (for Mrs. Walke) - parent (letter B).

(iv) Mrs. L. Jordan - Worting Infant Environment Committee.

(v) On behalf of Worting Infant School, Mrs. Jane Ballard (Headteacher) (letter C).

(vi) Star Play School - Mrs. Caroline Candy (letter F).

(vii) Worting Infant School Governing Body - Mr. Paul Bailey (Governor) (letter A).


(Councillor Mrs. Jo Kelly declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item as local ward member)


79 WORTING INFANT AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS, BASINGSTOKE - CLOSURE AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL

The Committee gave consideration to the statement of case of the County Education Officer for the discontinuation of Worting County Infant School and the Worting Junior School with effect from 31 August, 2004 and the statement of case for the establishment of a new community primary school, in the premises of Worting Junior School, with effect from 1 September, 2004. The Committee also considered the letters of objection received to the proposals following publication of notices. (Item 5 in the Minute Book refers).

The County Education Officer was invited to present the Local Education Authority's case. He outlined the procedure and consultations that had taken place and informed the Committee that the proposal to amalgamate the infant and junior schools was designed to remove surplus places at the schools, and at the same time provide a stable base for the education of primary age children in the Buckskin area.

The Committee was referred to the forecast pupil numbers set out on page 44 of the committee papers. The forecast model was considered to be both robust and reliable and took into account all new housing for which planning permission had been approved. It was also based upon small area population forecasts which detailed the number of four year olds in an area.

In response to queries from the Committee it was confirmed that the Old Kempshott Lane site had not been included in the forecast because planning permission for housing development had not been approved. The site had been identified in Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's first deposit local plan review as a "reserve site", along with several others. It was anticipated that the site would not be released for development until after 2005/06, and then only if Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's local plan monitoring showed that reserve sites were required to meet housing targets by 2011.

The Committee was also advised that the remodelling of the junior school to provide an up-to-date building equipped to deliver the primary curriculum represented county council investment of £1.8m. The schools infrastructure, and the design brief, left flexibility to extend from 1.5 form entry to 2 form entry if the need arose in the future. The 1.5 form entry option still left an element of surplus places which gave ample scope for any more children who may came from any new local housing development; it also left space for special needs and early years. It was anticipated that such a school could provide a focus for the social and community needs of the Buckskin area.


In considering the proposal, the Committee sought clarification about early years provision. The County Education Officer advised that there was a clear commitment to the provision of funded nursery education . At the date of the meeting the details of the numbers and types of places was unknown but following any approval consultations with partner agencies would be undertaken to ascertain demand.


In conclusion the County Education Officer considered, taking into account all factors, that an all through primary school was the best option as a means of further improving educational standards to the benefit of all the children in the Buckskin area.

Members adjourned in their respective groups to consider the proposals.

All groups in attendance made the following unanimous decision, subject to the necessary planning consent being granted:


· The discontinuation of Worting County Infant School and Worting Junior School with effect from 31 August, 2004.


· The establishment of a new community primary school, in the premises of Worting Junior School with effect from 1 September, 2004.

RESOLVED:


That subject to the necessary planning consent being granted:


(i) Worting County Infant School and Worting Junior School be discontinued with effect from 31 August, 2004.


(ii) a new community primary school, in the premises of Worting Junior School be established with effect from 1 September, 2004.


80 REORGANISATION OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES IN EAST HAMPSHIRE

The Committee gave consideration to the statement of case of the County Education Officer for the discontinuation of Whitedown School and the Meadow School with effect from 31 March, 2006 and the statement of case for the establishment of a new community special school for 120 boys and girls with complex learning difficulties, between the ages of 2 and 19, with effect from 1 April, 2006. The Committee also considered the objections received following the advertisement of the proposals (Item 6(a) in the Minute Book refers).

The County Education Officer advised that the reorganisation of the two special schools for children with learning difficulties would involve the amalgamation of the Meadow and Whitedown Schools into a new school on the site of the Meadow School. The new school would cater for children with a range of learning difficulties including moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).

The Committee was informed that the proposals would result in improved resources and specialist facilities, a wider range of staff expertise, opportunities for more children to be included in mainstream school, and minimisation of inappropriate placement of some children who previously fell on the borderline between levels of specialist provision.

The total cost of the project was estimated at £7.654m. A bid submitted to the DfES Targeted Capital Fund for £5m had been successful and the balance of the funding would be found from the County Council's own resources in terms of capital receipts as well as contributions from formulaic grants and allocations from the DfES under the NDS Modernisation and Condition allocations. It was also noted that as the majority of revenue funding was formula based, there would be no specific revenue costs or savings. The Whitedown site would be sold, with an estimated receipt in the order of £500,000. This would be used to meet part of the cost of the new school buildings.

In response to queries from the Committee about flooding on the site of the Meadow School, it was confirmed that the necessary adaptations to the new school would be undertaken as a matter of course and that there was sufficient insurance cover.


Members adjourned in their respective groups to consider the proposals.

All groups voted to discontinue Whitedown School and the Meadow School with effect from 31 March, 2006 and to the establishment of a new community special school for 120 boys and girls with complex learning difficulties, between the ages of 2 and 19, with effect from 1 April, 2006, subject to the necessary planning consent being obtained.

RESOLVED:


That subject to the necessary planning consent being granted:


(i) Whitedown School and the Meadow School be discontinued with effect from 31 March, 2006.


(ii) a new community special school be established for 120 boys and girls with complex learning difficulties, between the ages of 2 and 19, with effect from 1 April, 2006.


81 MILL CHASE SCHOOL, BORDON - ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIT FOR PUPILS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

The Committee gave consideration to the Statement of Case of the County Education Officer for a prescribed alteration to Mill Chase School by establishing a unit for children with learning difficulties, with effect from 1 April, 2006. (Item 6(b) in the Minute Book refers).

The Committee was advised that no objections had been received to this proposal but because it was linked with the reorganisation of special schools in Hampshire, (Minute No. 80 above refers) the proposal required approval by the committee.

Members adjourned in their respective groups to consider the proposal.

All groups voted for the establishment of a unit for children with learning difficulties at Mill chase School, with effect from 1 April, 2006, subject to the necessary planning consent being obtained.



RESOLVED:

That a unit for children with learning difficulties be established at Mill Chase school, with effect from 1 April, 2006, subject to the necessary planning consent being obtained.


82 MANOR FIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL, BASINGSTOKE - APPLICATION FOR A REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD NUMBER FOR ADMISSIONS

The Committee gave consideration to the proposal of the Local Education Authority for a reduction in the standard number applying to Manor Field Junior School for pupils aged 7+, in the school year 2003/04 and any subsequent school year, from 68 to 60. (Item 7 in the Minute Book refers).

The Secretary to the Committee confirmed that no objections had been received to the proposal following the expiry of public notices.

All groups voted to reduce the standard number at the school for pupils aged 7+, in the school year 2003/04 and any subsequent school year, from 68 to 60.

RESOLVED:

That the standard number applying to Manor Field Junior School for pupils aged 7+, in the school year 2003/04 and any subsequent school year, be reduced from 68 to 60.

83 ELVETHAM HEATH PRIMARY SCHOOL - ENLARGEMENT

The Secretary to the Committee confirmed that no objections had been received in response to the public notices published on 14 February, 2003 and accordingly the Local Education Authority had determined to implement the proposals as set out in the notice. (Item 8 in the Minute Book refers).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the action taken by the Local Education Authority.


84 GLENWOOD SCHOOL, EMSWORTH - ENLARGEMENT

The Secretary to the Committee confirmed that no objections had been received in response to the public notices published on 7 February, 2003 and accordingly the Local Education Authority had determined to implement the proposal as set out in the notice. (Item 9 in the Minute Book refers).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the action taken by the Local Education Authority.

85 THE WILDERN SCHOOL, HEDGE END, ENLARGEMENT

The Secretary to the Committee confirmed that no objections had been received in response to the public notices published on 22 November, 2002 and accordingly the Local Education Authority had determined the implement the proposal as set out in the notice. (Item10 in the Minute Book refers).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the action taken by the Local Education Authority.


86 SWANMORE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY - ENLARGEMENT

The Secretary to the Committee confirmed that no objection had been received in response to the public notices published on 22 November, 2002 and accordingly the Local Education Authority had determined to implement the proposal as set out in the notice. (Item 11 in the Minute Book refers).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the action taken by the Local Education Authority.


87 BALKSBURY JUNIOR SCHOOL, ANDOVER - ENLARGEMENT

The Secretary to the Committee confirmed that no objection and been received in response to the public notices published on 22 November, 2002 and accordingly the Local Education Authority had determined to implement the proposal as set out in the notice. (Item 12 in the Minute Book refers).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the action taken by the Local Education Authority.


88 HOOK JUNIOR SCHOOL - ENLARGEMENT

The Secretary to the Committee confirmed that no objection had been received in response to the public notices published on 27 September, 2002 and accordingly the Local Education Authority had determined to implement the proposal as set out in the notice. (Item 13 in the Minute Book refers).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the action taken by the Local Education Authority.

89 BRIDGEMARY SCHOOL, GOSPORT - ENLARGEMENT

The Committee on 9 April, 2002 approved the enlargement of this school, subject to the necessary planning consent being obtained. The Local Education Authority confirmed on 31 January, 2003 that planning permission had been granted and therefore that the condition attached to the approval had been fulfilled. (Item 14 in the Minute Book refers).


RESOLVED:

That the Committee note that the condition attached to the approval has now been fulfilled.


90 KINGS' SCHOOL, WINCHESTER - ENLARGEMENT

The Committee on 9 April, 2002 approved the enlargement of this school, subject to the necessary planning consent being obtained. The Local Education Authority on 31 January, 2003 confirmed that planning permission had been granted and therefore that the condition attached to the approval had been fulfilled. (Item 15 in the Minute Book refers).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee note the condition attached to the approval has now been fulfilled.


91 SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE BUDGET

The Committee considered a report of the County Treasurer and Chief Executive (Item 16 in the Minute Book) setting out the budget of the committee as required by the School Standards and Framework Act 1988.

RESOLVED:

That the budget of the Committee be submitted to the County Council for approval.


92 DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS (DFES) CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS

School Organisation Planning and Decision Making Consultation

In accordance with Minute No. 71 of the Minutes of the last meeting, it was reported that the Chairman and legal advisor to the Committee had prepared a detailed response to the DfES consultation paper. The new regulations would come into effect from 1 June, 2003 and it was reported that one the main changes would relate to the publication of the School Organisation Plan. Draft plans for 2003-04 to 2007-08 must now be published by 1 August 2003 and not 1 July 2003 as proposed in the consultation exercise. This would enable authorities more time to prepare plans in line with revised guidance. The period for comments and objections had also been changed from 2 months to 11 weeks to take account of the school summer holiday period and hence allow more time for people to respond. Accordingly, the Committee were advised that the September meeting may not be necessary. The Secretary to the Committee would keep Members informed.


Draft Hampshire Local Education Authority Accessibility Strategy

The Committee were asked to note that the Chairman had been invited to respond to this strategy document but felt unable to do so as he had no delegation approved by the committee.


93 DATES, TIMES AND VENUES OF FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE


· Tuesday 9 September, 2003 at 2.15 p.m. at Falcon House, Romsey Road, Winchester


· Tuesday 16 December, 2003 at 2.15 p.m. at Conference Room, Ashburton Court, The Castle, Winchester