Management team sponsors:

John Coughlan - Director of Children's Services; 01962 846400; [email protected]

John Clarke - Deputy Director of Children's Services; 01962 846459; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1) That the Executive Member note the provisions of the 2006 Education and Inspections Act, particularly those which have implications for Hampshire;

2) That the Executive Member authorise the Director of Children's Services to respond to consultations linked with the implementation of the Act on behalf of the County Council, after consultation with the Executive Member;

3) That the Executive Member authorise the Director of Children's Services to work with headteachers in the development of a draft policy in relation to the development of Trust schools and Academies and the County Council's role in offering appropriate advice to schools;

4) That the County Council's response to the consultations be made available to Members on request;

5) That this report, together with a brief summary paper, be placed on the agenda of a future Cabinet meeting.

2 Reason

2.1 The 2006 Act contains a number of new provisions which will have a significant impact on the work of the County Council, particularly in relation to the opening and closing of schools, changes to school admission arrangements, new responsibilities in relation to school travel and increased educational support for excluded pupils. All of these new provisions are likely to have a significant resource impact.

2.2 It is important, therefore, that the County Council is fully prepared both in terms of policy and resources to ensure compliance with the Act in accordance with the timetable set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

2.3 These decisions support the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Maximising well-being" - by ensuring that all pupils develop to their maximum potential and that pupils from disadvantaged families are given greater educational opportunities.

2.4 The decisions support the following Aims of the Children Act - Being healthy; Staying safe; Enjoying and achieving and Making a positive contribution - by enhancing pupil access to schools, offering wider curriculum choices at Key Stage 4 and improving the quality of school food.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Not applicable to this report.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 None.

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Member for Education