Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee Clerk led proceedings to elect a Chair for the School Organisation Committee (SOC) 2006/7 and sought nominations from amongst the members for the position of Chair. Nominations were received from Councillor Meehan for Michael Pittendreigh, and seconded by Ms Simon. The Board unanimously voted for Mr Pittendreigh to be the Chair.

The Chair led proceedings to confirm the  Vice-Chair for the SOC 2006/7 as Mr Fyles.

Apologies were received from Ms C Andrews and Ms M Fakyer, and from Mary Vine-Morris’ representative, Yolande Burgess.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at item 11 below).

None.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgement of the public interest.

None.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the School Organisation Committee meeting held on 11 July 2006.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the SOC meeting held on 11 July 2006 be confirmed and signed as a correct record by the Chair.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

None.

To consider a modification to the date of the conditional approval on planning permission being granted.

Ian Bailey, Deputy Director, The Children and Young People’s Service gave a summary of the processes behind the expansion  of Coleridge School and the SOC’s involvement in the process. He informed the Committee that a planning application would be submitted for the expansion on 14 November 2006. Mr Bailey explained that there would have to be a town planning process. If planning were to be refused, the Committee would have to reconsider the scheduling for the expanded school.

RESOLVED

That the Committee unanimously agreed that the date by which planning permission had to be obtained be deferred until 30 March 2007.

That the Deputy Director’s Report be noted.

To receive the consultation timeframe for the primary and secondary inclusive learning campuses.

Ian Bailey, Deputy Director, The Children and Young People’s Service informed the Committee that despite a change to statute, the SOC would need to continue its life in order to finalise the Inclusive Learning Campuses Consultation. This process would begin  at a meeting of the Council’s Executive Committee on 21 November 2006 for a consultation period to run between March and May 2007 where it would be brought back to the Committee to decide on issues such as age ranges, and the nature of the specialisms to be taught at each of the two schools.

RESOLVED:

That the Deputy Director’s update be noted.

To receive an update on the progress of the new secondary school consultation and competition.

Ian Bailey, Deputy Director, The Children and Young People’s Service gave an update to the Committee on the development of the new secondary school proposals and process. He stated that the Committee would be asked to consider it in detail in March 2007 after a public meeting on 16 January 2007 with promoters. Mr Bailey stated that there had been no indication as yet as to any potential promoters but that Haringey was the first authority to deal with a  new school proposal following this new process. It was agreed that the Committee would meet with candidate promoters before a decision was made on which one would be chosen to take on the project. Given this, the Committee discussed where it would receive impartial advice from. Mr Bailey stated that he would be able to give advice on the process because this would be detached from a likely Haringey Council candidacy – and that lawyers from the Authority would be on hand too. The DfES would also be able to offer advice, although there would be concerns over the impartiality of this. Nonetheless, the Committee agreed that it would need assistance in its responsibilities during this process.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee is to explore help and advice options on dealing with the new school promoters competition, possibly from another CYP Service.

To receive changes to School Organisation provisions effective from 1 September 2006.

Ian Bailey, Deputy Director, The Children and Young People’s Service drew the Committee’s attention to the plans submitted by the DfES relating to the role of the Committee (SOC) in the new Secondary School Competition process and the subsequent changes to legislation and guidance issued to SOCs. Access to all of the information relating to the new competition arrangements could be obtained by the Lead Officer in the CYP Service, Corrine Hilton. It was also re-emphasised that the Authority would need to maintain objectivity over its support for its own candidacy in the competition, whilst adhering to its responsibilities to the Committee itself.

Referring to a PowerPoint presentation, Mr Bailey set out some of the key issues that will arise during the competition process including a revised timetable for the process as follows:

Further information can be obtained from the School Organisation website: www.dfes.gov.uk/schoolorg

Mr Bailey also touched on other changes contained within the DfES guidance, namely changes to school categories and nursery school closures.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the information provided by the Deputy Director relating the School Organisation legislation and guidance.

To consider any items admitted at item 3 above.

None.

Tuesday, 23 January 2007 at 6pm.

RESOLVED:

The Committee agreed to cancel its next scheduled meeting on 23 January 2007, and to call for a new meeting to be held at 6pm on Wednesday 14 March 2007.

THE MEETING FINISHED AT 19:45