An opportunity to question the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Elin Weston, on developments within her portfolio.
Minutes:
Councillor Elin Weston, the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, reported on recent developments within her portfolio. She stated that the Council’s action plan in response to the recent OFSTED inspection had been agreed by Cabinet in the previous week and had now been submitted to OFSTED. A report on progress with its implementation would be submitted to Cabinet on an annual basis. Two briefing sessions were also being arranged for all Councillors.
She was pleased to report that planning permission had been granted for a new school building at Earlham School, which had been needed for some time. The funding for it had come from the Department for Education and there had been no cost to the Council. Construction of the new building was not expected to cause any disruption to the work of the school and no decant would be necessary. Work was also being undertaken to develop other capital schemes to improve school buildings.
In answer to a question regarding Coleridge School and the closure of part of its playground, Councillor Weston stated that she was not aware of this but would write to the Headteacher and Chair of Governors when she had more information. Eveleen Riordan, Assistant Director for Schools and Learning, reported that she was aware of the issue and work to remedy the situation was being prioritised.
In respect of tackling childhood obesity, the Council’s Public Health Service had a Healthy Schools programme and she was happy to provide a written update on the progress of this. In addition, two schools in the borough had been selected as Super Zones, which was a project to improve the environment around schools. A number of schools had also begun the Daily Mile initiative. In addition, the Mayor of London had banned the advertising of junk food on the transport network and Haringey had now become the first London borough to mirror this on the advertising sites that it owned. The ban also covered advertisements that presented an unhealthy body image. She suggested that the Panel may wish to make childhood obesity an agenda item for a future meeting of the Panel.
In answer to a question regarding improving access to Russell Group universities, the Cabinet Member stated that she was very happy to look at action that had been taken in Newham and, in particular, support provided to young people. There was not only one route to success though and support also needed to be made available for those who wished to take a different path, such as an apprenticeship. Attainment meant different things to different groups of young people.
In respect of the financial deficit at Duke’s Aldridge Academy, the Cabinet Member reported the issue was a concern but was due, in a large part, to the funding formula for schools not keeping pace with inflation. In addition, income fell when the number of pupils on school rolls fell. Audits of schools were undertaken every year and training was offered to governors.
In answer to a question regarding plans for education, these were outlined in the Borough Plan and the strategic objectives of Haringey Education Partnerships. It was intended to work to ensure as many schools as possible were rated as outstanding and all were at least rated as good. Specific performance measures would be included in the new Plan. Ms Graham commented that it was an overall strategic plan for the borough to be achieved with partners.
AGREED:
That an item on action to address childhood obesity be added to the work plan for the Panel.