TO BE CONFIRMED AT THE NEXT MEETING

AT A MEETING of the SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE held at the Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 16 December, 2003

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: Don Allen

Michael Cartwright
Brian Dash
Raymond Ellis

Jo Kelly

Mrs. Edith Randall

Dr. John Wall

Church of England

Brian Hay

Rob Wood

Canon Richard Lindley (Chairman)

School Governors

Jim Murray

Alan Fender

Apologies

Alex Young - Church of England

Simon Tong - Church of England

Ursula Topp - Roman Catholic Church

Veronica Roberts - Roman Catholic Church

Sheila Allen - Roman Catholic Church

Stephanie Quant - Learning and Skills Council

Tom Wickstead - School Governors

Sylvia Vyne - School Governors

Frank Rust - School Governors

101 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Tuesday 9 September, 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

102 DEPUTATIONS

The Committee received two deputations relating to Minute 103 below (Pages 45 and 55 of the School Organisation Plan):

Whiteley Parish Council:-


Mr. Patrick Wright representing Whiteley Parish Council addressed the Committee expressing the Parish Council's concerns about both primary and secondary school provision for the children of Whiteley. In relation to primary school provision it was explained that Whiteley had a three form entry primary school that was almost at capacity with some children being transported out of Whiteley to other schools in the Western wards of Fareham. Information from the Office for National Statistics indicated that there was an above average under 16 year old population in Whiteley and accordingly it was suggested that a suitable site for a minimum of two form entry primary school be identified as a matter of priority. In relation to secondary school provision it was considered that pupil numbers would increase given the growing primary sector and therefore a new secondary school was needed in the area. A copy of the deputation statement is attached as an appendix to these minutes.


Winchester City Councillor (Whiteley Ward)

Councillor Mrs. Brenda Hatch representing the Whiteley Ward addressed the committee adding her support to the deputation submitted by Whiteley Parish Council. In particular she emphasised the need for a new primary school in the Whiteley area to accommodate the projected housing figures. With regard to secondary school provision reference was made to Councillor Thornber's letter to Mark Oaten MP, dated 11 December, 2002, suggesting the possibility of shifting catchment areas within Fareham to accommodate more children from the Whiteley area. It was considered that this was not the answer for the residents of Whiteley and that an in-depth review of the infrastructure should be looked at as a matter of priority. A copy of the deputation statement is attached as an appendix to these minutes.

103 SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN 2003/04 - 2007/08

The Local Education Authority presented the draft School Organisation Plan covering the period 2003/04 - 2007/08 (Item 5 in the Minute Book refers). The County Education Officer outlined the plan and set out how Hampshire County Council intended to match the supply and demand for school places over the 5 year period.

Following publication of the plan, 6 formal comments and additional Local Education Authority (LEA) proposed amendments to clarify certain aspects of the plan had been received. A copy of the formal comments, together with the LEA's responses and minor amendments were set out in the committee papers.

The Committee considered the formal comments together with the Local Education Authority's responses but did not consider that any of these comments required alteration to the plan. The Committee did however consider that the minor alterations proposed by the Local Education Authority to clarify certain aspects of the plan were necessary. A copy of the Local Education Authority's responses and amended pages as approved by the Committee are appended to these minutes.

The County Education Officer also took this opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the schooling situation in the Whiteley area.

In relation to primary school provision it was explained that a report to the Executive Member for Education would be put forward in the New Year setting out possible options including either building a new primary school or extending existing infant and junior schools outside Whiteley. It was noted that consultations were underway with Fareham Borough Council, Winchester City Council and Portsmouth CE Diocese to identify suitable sites if a new primary school was considered to be the best option. It was however stressed that consultations were at a very early stage.


In relation to secondary school provision, the County Education Officer considered that there were sufficient places at Henry Cort Shool in Fareham to cover the requirements of Whiteley. It was also pointed out that the School Organisation Plan contained a policy stating that new secondary schools should not be provided for under 900 pupils.


The Chairman thanked the deputees for addressing the committee and pointed out that it was the role of the Committee to approve the School Organisation Plan to ensure that the supply and demand for school places was met over the 5 year period. He pointed out that the Committee could not make a decision to build a new school as it was constrained by funding, stressing that the DfES must be convinced of a case for building any new school. In particular he was pleased to hear that the Local Education Authority had made a clear commitment to alleviate the problems with primary school places in the Whiteley area.

In considering general issues concerning the School Organisation Plan and in particular trends concerning children with emotional and behavioural difficulties it was suggested that in future the Plan should identify future requirements in the pattern of special educational needs provision.

The Committee adjourned for approximately 5 minutes.

All Groups approved the School Organisation Plan subject to the Local Education Authority's amendments.

RESOLVED:

That the School Organisation Plan for the period 2003/04 - 2007/08 incorporating the Local Education Authority's amendments, be approved.

104 A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON CHANGES TO PLANS REQUIRED OF LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITIES

The Committee considered the joint report of the Secretary and Legal Advisor to the Committee (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the implication for the Committee in respect of the consultation document received from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) on a draft Regulatory Reform Order about the plans required of LEA's.

It was noted that the consultation period ended on Friday 6 February, 2004 and the School Organisation Committee was a statutory consultee.

RESOLVED:


(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That the Secretary to the Committee respond to the consultation document following consultation with representatives from the three groups in attendance.