This report sets out the motions received for this meeting.
Minutes:
Motion A – proposed by Councillor Potter and supported by Councillor Mrs Josie Iles
“Support for Grammar Schools in Medway
Medway Council has a proud record of delivering quality school places to meet the needs and abilities of all children in Medway.
The Council notes that despite the challenge of a growing school age population we are joint first, nationally, as a provider of good and outstanding school places. This has been delivered with combined investment in school capital projects totalling over £140m from Council funding and directly through Department for Education led projects.
The Council also notes the continuing programme of capital projects that are underway and scheduled across all phases, including the expansion of Hundred of Hoo Primary to 2 form entry, further SEND resource provision units at various mainstream schools, and the construction of the Maritime Academy and the Inspire Special School.
Medway Council recognises the importance for education provision to meet the needs and abilities of all of our children and young people. This includes the provision of selective education in Medway and this Council recognises the excellent role Medway grammar schools play for our most academically gifted children regardless of income or background, especially when it comes to narrowing the attainment gap.
The Council further notes the work that has been undertaken with our grammar schools to change admission policies to prioritise grammar assessed children on distance, not on score, in order to better prioritise local children within the remit of the Admissions Code. The Council also approved the proposals for three Medway Grammar schools to change from single sex to co-educational, these proposals are now awaiting approval by the Regional Director. If approved, this will provide greater flexibility in the school admissions process and will better enable the use of school places for local children.
This Council acknowledges the challenge to maintain a minimum of 25% grammar provision in Medway against the prospect of future population growth, in particular that coming forward and proposed in Hoo. As stated above, significant work has already been undertaken in order to address this increase in population, including through the expansion of existing grammar schools. However, this Council also acknowledges there are concerns amongst grammar school heads that existing schools are now reaching or are close to ideal capacity. As there is no grammar provision west of the river, most children living there who attend a grammar school in Medway will travel to the schools in Rochester and Chatham.
In light of the above this Council commits to:
Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.
Motion B – proposed by Councillor Maple and supported by Councillor Khan
“Council notes that for the first time at a Medway Council election voters will be required to produce photographic identification to be able to participate on 4 May. Council encourages all residents without photographic identification to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on 25 April 2023.
Council further notes Medway Council, like all English councils holding elections on 4 May, will be collecting statistics on how many voters are rejected at polling stations for not having photographic identification. Currently the only people allowed access to that information is the Electoral Commission and the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
No person in Medway will currently be allowed to know how many people in Medway have been stopped from voting due to not having photographic identification.
Council agrees to write to Michael Gove MP & Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE to change Rule 40B(7), Schedule 1 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 to allow councils to publish the figure from each ward of voters who are rejected for not having photographic identification.”
Decision:
Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.
Supporting documents: