Agenda item

This report sets out the motions received for this meeting.

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.

• In the primary phase over 3500 primary school places have been created at schools and new build projects.
• There have been over 3000 mainstream secondary school places created through school expansions and two new secondary schools.
• Over 600 selective places have been created by expanding existing grammar schools.
• In the SEND sector, 586 additional school places have been provided with projects such as the Abbey Court new build and additional provision at Bradfields. This has been complimented by new resource provision units in mainstream schools.

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:

1. Continue to explore the options for grammar school annexe provision in Medway so the Council can continue to meet the local demand for school places across all phases, abilities and needs.
2. Write to the Government to seek formal approval, in principle, for grammar school annexe provision in Medway.
3. Write to all three Medway MPs requesting they raise the case for grammar school annexe provision in Medway with the Secretary of State for Education.”

Decision:

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.