Issue - meetings

Review and Update of School Organisation Plan 2011-16

Meeting: 09/07/2013 - Cabinet (Item 10)

10 Review of School Organisation Plan 2011 - 2016 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report updated Members on the School Organisation Plan 2011-2016, which established a framework for school organisation decisions to ensure an appropriate supply of school places linked to school improvement. The report reviewed the plan and the actions taken so far, and set out what further actions would need to be included in the ongoing implementation programme.

 

It was noted that the Plan had included an Action Plan, which highlighted specific proposals for developing provision in Medway over the lifetime of the plan, and an updated action plan was attached at Appendix 2 to the report. This showed the achievements in school planning and organisation, how each action had been approached and the status of any resultant actions.

 

Members were advised how situations had changed since Cabinet approved the School Organisation Plan in November 2011, and the impact these changes have had and would have on expected pupil numbers in the future. This included details of forecast figures for primary and secondary school places, schools that had converted to academy and early years provision.

 

It was noted that the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered this report on 4 June 2013, details of which were set out in the report. The Committee had recommended that the Cabinet approve the revised action plan taking into account the demographic changes to the population.

 

Decision number:

Decision:

112/2013

The Cabinet noted the progress made so far to actions flowing from the School Organisation Plan 2011-16 and approved the revised Action Plan.

113/2013

The Cabinet instructed the Director of Children and Adults to commence the options appraisals required to assess the options for providing the additional provision required in the Hoo St Werburgh area, and the Cuxton and Halling area. Proposals developed from the options appraisal would be presented to Cabinet at the appropriate time for approval and consent to progress with the necessary statutory processes.

114/2013

The Cabinet instructed the Director of Children and Adults to commence an options appraisal at the appropriate time to assess the options for providing additional primary provision in the Chatham and Rochester area, should the forecasts continue to indicate the need.

Reasons:

  

By approving the recommendations the Cabinet are ensuring that the Council meets its statutory duty to ensure sufficient good school places.

 

Approval in advance to commence the necessary options appraisals and statutory processes will ensure the Council complies with its statutory duty to follow the full consultation process when proposing changes to school organisation.