Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Santry welcomed everyone to meeting and reminded members that at a previous meeting of the committee it was agreed to rotate the Chair and Vice-Chair on an annual basis.   Members were advised that due to the absence of the majority of school governors it was prudent to defer the election of the Chair and Vice-Chair for the municipal year 2006-2007, to give all Members the opportunity to recommend nominations for the next meeting. 

Members agreed that Cllr Engert Chair this meeting only.

Ian Bailey, Assistant Director, Children’s Services advised that it was likely that the SOC would continue until April 2007, as it was proposed that The Education Bill 2006, would enable the Council to take on the necessary decision making powers currently with the SOC.

RESOLVED

            That the election of Chair and Vice-Chair be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee.  Members are invited to put forward nominations for the vacant positions.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Mr J Connerty and Mr T Fyles.  Members were advised that Yolande Burgess, Partnership Director would be replacing Philippa Langton as the LSC representative.

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 9 below).

There were no items of urgent business.

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 received.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2006 were approved.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders

None received.

To report on demand for pupil places in Haringey Primary, Secondary and Special schools, and to update on action to respond to this demand (Report of the Deputy Director, The Children’s Service)(attached)

Ian Bailey, Assistant Director, Children’s Services, presented the 2006 School Place Planning Annual Report and advised that this was the third report to the SOC.    The report updates on progress to ensure sufficient school places are available to meet local demand and summarises recent school rolls projections.  These figures are available and in the public domain.  Further data had been added on mobility and special school places.  All data will be available on Haringey’s website for interested parties.

In previous years proposals had brought together infant and junior schools through amalgamation.  There were currently four schools in Haringey going through amalgamation.

In future with the passing of the 2006 Education Bill, the SOC would probably cease.  Therefore it was proposed that new reporting arrangements for statutory consultations be referred to the Executive member for Children and Young People after the initial consultation with interested parties.  A diagram on page 6 of the report sets out the arrangements.

Mr Bailey also advised Members that developments were taking place around Haringey.  Particularly in Tottenham Hale where it was proposed to develop 1250 units of housing.  There was also a lot of work taking place in the Heartlands Area which could have an impact on school places in the next few years.    There were no significant changes since last year for secondary schools.  Members raised concern as there was scarce detail on secondary schools in the report.  The Deputy Director agreed to provide further details on individual secondary schools as provision was tight and it was announced there was a need for a new secondary school in Haringey being planned to open in 2010.  

The Committee also noted the falling numbers in admissions particularly for Blanche Neville School and had observed there would be financial implications.   A comprehensive review was being undertaken. 

It was reported that the main focus for the coming year would be:

• School rolls and surplus situations in Seven Sisters and Noel Park wards.
• The impact of the Heartlands building developments.
• Developing a greater understanding of the reasons for and impact of mobility in junior years
• Continued monitoring of pupil place demand.

RESOLVED:  

1. That the deputy director provide further details on secondary school place planning.
2. That Members note the 2006 school place planning report.

To update on the new sconedary school, and to provide an overview of the new 2006 regulations governing additional school competitions (Report of the Deputy Director, The Children’s Service) (attached).

Ian Bailey, Deputy Director, Children’s Service updated Members on the new secondary school proposals.   The Executive had agreed to begin the process of consultation on 26 June 2006,  on the need for a new secondary school in Haringey.  The consultation process would continue until 24 April 2007, when the SOC would take the decision under the new regulations which would come into force by the end of the current year.    The consultation is on the principle of opening a new secondary school.

The timetable for the consultation had been constructed to comply with the new regulations:

Start of consultation                                                                          26 June 2006

Public meeting                                                                                  13 July 2006

End of consultation                                                                           11 August 2006

Publication of invitation to bid to promote new school.                 4 September 2006

Proposal to go to the Executive                                                      October 2006

Public Meeting to discuss bids                                                       16 January 2007

Statutory notice period ends                                                            13 February 2007

Deadline for decision by SOC                                                        24 April 2007

The timetable is consistent with the development of a school for September 2010 opening.

Following further discussions and the enormity of the decision the SOC would be required to take in April 2007, Members felt there was a need for further legal advice and training.  Members requested that a legal officer be invited to attend the next meeting of the Committee to discuss this item.

RESOLVED: 

1.            That members note the report and recommendations.

2.            That a Legal officer be invited to attend the next meeting of the Committee to provide further advice on Member’s decision making role.

To consider any items admitted at item 2 above

None received.

12 October 2006 at 6:00pm

Provisional date: 30 October 2006 at 6:00pm.

THE MEETING WAS DECLARED CLOSED AT 19:15PM