Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor David Wisinger declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item as he was a school governor at John Summers High School. 

Agenda item 4 – School Modernisation – School Standards and Organisation Act 2013 – John Summers High School – Statutory Proposals.

The Member Engagement Manager explained that Councillor Wisinger, local Member for the Ward, had been granted the right to speak at the start of the meeting and then withdraw. 

The Chairman invited members of the Committee to make a declaration if they were school governors and a number of members so indicated. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2015.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 June 2015 had been

circulated to Members with the agenda.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

(a)       That the Committee requests that Flintshire County Council's Planning department negotiates with developers of the Northern Gateway site, the inclusion of a new high school as part of the infrastructure and provision needed for the allocation of houses if a trigger point is reached, perhaps linking with the new Technology facility; and

(b)       That the issues which had been raised during the meeting on pupil transfer and transition, transport, redeployment of teaching staff and teaching and support expertise, and support for new uniform provision, be fed back to Cabinet as part of their consideration of the report on 6 August 2015

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) introduced a report to inform the Committee of the responses from the statutory consultation period on the sustainability of John Summers High School, and options for future education provision.  He advised that comments from the Committee were invited in advance of the Cabinet being requested to conclude on a formal proposal.

The Chief Officer provided background information and referred to the key considerations as detailed in the report concerning the sustainability of John Summers High School, and transitional issues.  He explained that whilst the concerns and anxieties of the local community were recognised, the Authority had a duty to provide high quality secondary education which was sustainable and affordable for pupils in the future.  He advised that due to the low annual intake of pupils in year seven and financial pressures,  John Summers High School was not sustainable and would not be able to meet the breadth of curriculum required by the Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure going forward. 

The Chief Officer commented on historical pupil data and the long term trend of low numbers at post 16 at John Summers which had led to the work around transformation. He explained that there was a downward trend of pupils in neighbouring primary schools transferring into the School and that the average transfer rate over the past two years was only 60% from the closest schools.  He reported on the projections for housing yield for the Northern Gateway project which was to be developed between 2017-2028 and advised that the total ‘yield’ of secondary school age child numbers eligible for admission to John Summers was 199.  If the full cohort of children were assumed to be admitted the number of pupils on roll at John Summers would be in the region of 504 when all projections were combined, which was below the four form entry of 600 places required at 11-16 age range.    The housing yield figures did not take into account parental choice or pupil movement.   The Chief Officer also commented on the prediction for future admission numbers based on birth rates in Flintshire and the Shotton/Queensferry areas in particular.

The Chief Officer went on to report on the implications around funding, sustainability, and staffing.  He referred to a reduction in funding for schools of around 2% due to nationally agreed pay awards and employers pension contribution increases.  He advised that in 2016/17, these costs/pressures wold increase again with the national implementation of the Single Tier Pension being a major factor.  To provide John Summers with a budget which enabled the school to meet its curriculum requirements, a considerable subsidy would be required and he cited an example which demonstrated the differential per pupil funding between John Summers and another high school in the County.  The Chief Officer stated that the Council would not be able to continue to subsidise John Summers High School without adversely impacting on other schools which were comparatively low funded.  The School would also need to address further challenges  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

That the responses on the proposal to secure improved learner choice and outcomes be endorsed.

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) introduced a report to inform of the responses from the statutory consultation period for the proposal to change the age range at St. David’s High School, Saltney.  He provided background information and referred to the key considerations in the report. 

The Chief Officer advised that following the recent judicial review of a contested school reorganisation decision in South Wales, Flintshire had re-run the consultation exercise for post 16 arrangements at St. David’s, Saltney. The Council had again received only two responses to the proposal to change the age range from 11-18 to 11-16 at St. David’s High School.   He explained that as part of the transition to a new post 16 centre, governors and schools would be ensuring continuity of education for post 16 education students.  As such they would be continuing to implement organisational change plans given that transition was planned for September 2016.  It was not possible for St. David’s to offer post 16 Education independently and meet the requirements of the Learning Measure.   

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank Kevin Grandfield, Secondary Phase Officer, for his hard work and valuable contribution over the years.  The Committee expressed their best wishes to him for a happy retirement.  

RESOLVED:

That the responses on the proposal to secure improved learner choice and outcomes be endorsed.

That the proposals be agreed.

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced a report to inform the Committee of the results of consultation with schools on reconfiguring the Education ICT Service which were approved by Cabinet on 16 June 2015.

                        The Chief Officer provided background information and referred to the key considerations.  He advised that the proposed model worked on the principle that schools should be given as much autonomy as possible and that the County Council should retain control of only those services which were absolutely necessary.  The model  requires several Service Level Agreements to be drawn up by the Council and by schools.  The Chief Officer reported that the proposals were agreed at Cabinet on 16 June 2015 with discretion to amend the proposals to reflect any comments that the Committee might subsequently make.  A commencement date for the new service has not been determined and I n the meantime the service will continue on its current lines. 

In response to a question from Councillor Nigel Steele-Mortimer the Chief Officer advised that the proposed model covered all schools within the County and they would receive the same level of service.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas sought further information around the engagement of a consultant on the reconfiguration of the Service.  The Chief Officer advised that a consultant had been employed on a short term contract initially to review customer needs and make proposals to meet the objectives.  The consultant had been engaged again on a fixed term contract which would come to an end when the new service went live.

RESOLVED:

That the proposals be agreed.

That the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting for the following item by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting for the following item by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

            That the revised structure be recommended to Cabinet at its meeting on the 6 August 2015.

                        The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) introduced a report on a new management structure in Education and Youth delivering reductions in costs, providing opportunities for career development and meeting organisational design objectives.  He provided background information and referred to the main considerations as detailed in the report.   He reported  on the proposed new structure which was outlined in appendix 3 to the report and advised that voluntary solutions had been provided in terms of changes to the existing  structure.

                        Mrs. Rita Price raised concerns that there was no reference to educational partners or other providers of education in the new structure and that there was a danger in treating all schools the same. The  Chief Officer responded to the concerns raised and gave an assurance that partnership working was recognised as important and would be fully reflected in strategic planning. 

                        In response to the concerns raised by Councillor Carolyn Thomas the Chief Officer advised that the Council had a very positive working relationship with headteachers of schools both individually and collectively.  With a fewer and smaller cohort of senior managers there would be more peer to peer support.

            RESOLVED:

            That the revised structure be recommended to Cabinet at its meeting on the 6 August 2015.