Contact: Ian Lawson, School Organisation Officer; telephone 01962 846350; e-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1. That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) approves the publication of the School Places Plan 2008.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities "Maximising well-being" and "Enhancing our quality of place" - by proposing policies for the effective management of the supply of school places.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

· being healthy (enjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle) :- by considering options which will maximise opportunities for children to walk to school, thus increasing opportunities for exercise and reducing car dependence;

· staying safe (being protected from harm and neglect) :- by having access to a secure learning environment;

· enjoying and achieving (getting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood) :- by providing a high standard of education for children in suitable buildings, where possible within their own community;

· making a positive contribution (being involved with the community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour) :- by safeguarding friendship and neighbourhood groups by allowing for primary education to be provided as close to pupils' homes as reasonably practicable;

· economic well-being (not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential in life) :- by ensuring that proposals will not disadvantage children and will protect equality of opportunity

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Although there is no statutory requirement, the publication of a School Places Plan is a valuable tool to guide forward planning and contributes to the County Council's performance ratings.

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 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

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

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)