Meeting documents
Education Committee
Monday, 8th May, 2000
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Monday 8th May 2000
PRESENT -: Councillors RayCliffe, Paul Crossley, Roger Symonds (for Gitte Dawson), Sally Davis, MarianMcNeir, Agnes Melling, Esme Miles, Betty Perry, Carol Brown, Les Sell, GrahamStewart, and Julie Stiddard
Added Members Lyn Sammons -Governors' Executive, Paul Buckley - BANESH, Jay Shah - Parent GovernorRepresentative, Alan Pitts - Parent Governor Representative.
APOLOGIES -: Added members. Mark Evans, Church of England.
RESOLVED that Councillor J. Stiddard be elected Chair (person) for the duration of the meeting.
Councillor M. McNeir announced that this would be her last Education Committee meeting due to her move to the Resources Committee. The Chair thanked Councillor McNeir for her contribution.
- EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE
The Chair (person) drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda.
- ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR(PERSON) (IF DESIRED)
RESOLVED that Concillor B. Perry be elected Vice-Chair (person)for the full duration of the meeting.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
- TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIR(PERSON)
Alan Pitts and Jay Shah, Parent Governor Representatives, were welcomed to the meeting by the Chair.
On a motion from the Chair, Councillor J. Stiddard and seconded by Councillor R. Cliffe, it was
RESOLVED that the Committee suspends standing orders to enable Councillor McNeir to join the meeting, as a replacement for her nominated substitute.
- ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC - TO RECEIVE DEPUTATIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS OR QUESTIONS
Mrs Penny Murray, a teacher in a two-storey school, made a statement about safety at Freshford School.
Mr James Ayres, Bath Preservation Trust, made a statement regarding Freshford School.
Mr Chris Bocci, Architect and original contender for the school scheme, made a statement about the tender for Freshford School.
Mr Gareth Wright, SOGOL contracted Architect, made a statement about his plans and revision in costs for the new Freshford School.
Ms Sally Humpston, Chair of Governors at Freshford School, made a statement about Freshford school.
Ms Ann Forrest, Head Teacher of Freshford School, made a statement about Freshford School. Ms Forrest, offered to donate £15,000 of capital funds and £2,000 received from a local trust towards the building costs of the school. It was noted that the OFSTED inpection had highlighted that at present the school building is "of poor quality".
RESOLVED that the statements be considered with Agenda item 11 (minute number 118).
- ITEMS FROM COUNCILLORS AND CO-OPTED AND ADDED MEMBERS
There were none.
- MINUTES: MONDAY 13TH MARCH 2000
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13th March 2000 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person)
- EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
RESOLVED that, in accordance with the provisions of section 100 (A) (4) the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business because the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
- FRESHFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL - REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT (REPORT 11).
The Committee received a report from the Director of Education, that informed members that a shortfall in funding for the building project at Freshford School exists. The Committee should assess the implications of this and the options available.
Written public statements are available in the minute book.
The Committee moved back into public session.
On a motion from Councillor G.Stewart and seconded by Councillor P. Crossley it was
RESOLVED that:
(1) The Education Committee defer a decision on proceeding with the letting of the building contract on the SOGOL scheme until such time as Mr Bocci can enter into a formal tendering procedure at no cost (as offered by Mr Bocci) on his scheme; and
(2) Report the result of such procedure to the meeting of the Education Committee on 3rd July, 2000.
NOTE: Councillor R. Cliffe noted that he opposed this resolution.
- ACCESS TO SCHOOLS FOR DISABLED PUPILS : PROGRESS REPORT (REPORT 12).
The Committee received a report from the Director of Education, which was a first of a series of regular reports to keep members informed of the deveolpments of the access strategy.
On a motion from Councillor G. Stewart and seconded by Councillor P. Crossley, it was
RESOLVED that:
(1) Progress be noted on development of the access strategy; and
(2) Further progress reports be received at alternate meetings of the Committee.
- CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2000/2001 (REPORT 13).
The Committee received a report from the Deputy Director of Education, that provided members information on various aspects of the Capital Programme and asked the Committee to agree priorities for 2000 - 2001.
On a motion from Councillor E. Miles and seconded by Councillor G. Stewart, it was
RESOLVED that:
(1) The earmarked allocation for Basic Need at Chew Vally School be noted
(2) The transfer of £32,000 to the Basic Need project at Bishop Sutton Primary School be approved;
(3) The priorities for the 2000-2001 Capital Programme set out in Appendix 2 be agreed; and
(4) priorities would be determined strictly on the basis of need for all schools it be agreed that whilst the LEA could contribute to the 15% costs which VA governing bodies are required to meet for capital projects."
- INCIDENTS OF RACIAL ABUSE AND HARASSMENT IN SCHOOLS : ANNUAL REPORT (REPORT 14).
The Committee received a report from the Director of Education, which provided Members with the first annual update on incidents of racicial abuse and harrassment in maintained schools in Bath & North East Somerset.
On a motion from Councillor A. Melling and seconded by Councilor G. Stewart, it was
RESOLVED that:
(1) The issues that have arisen with regard to the reporting of incidents, as summarised in section 6 be noted,
(2) The actions that Officers and the Race Equality Education Focus Group are undertaking and planning be noted and endorsed; and
(3) That requests from schools are obtained immediately so that a full report can be received in November and at six monthly periods thereafter.
- THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LEA AND THE DIOCESE OF BATH & WELLS AND CLIFTON (REPORT 15).
The Committee received a report from the Director of Education, which proposed that the LEA supports the establishment of a formal partnership agreement with the Dioceses of Bath & Wells and Clifton.
On a motion from Councillor E. Miles and seconded by Councillor R. Cliffe, it was
RESOLVED that the Committee:
(1) The partnership agreement with the Dioceses of Bath & Wells and Clifton as set out in Appendix 1 be adopted; and
(2) The authority be delegated to the Director of Education, in consultation with Education Spokesperson, to amend the agreement if it becomes necessary after its consideration by the appropriate diocesan authorities.
- AMENDMENT TO THE INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT - CAMELEY PRIMARY SCHOOL (REPORT 16).
The Committee received a report from the Education Officer for School Effectiveness, which requested that the Governors of Cameley Primary School be allowed to increase the size of their Governing body.
On a motion from Councillor C. Brown and seconded by Councillor E. Miles it was;
RESOLVED that the request to increase the number of Governors by 3be approved and that the amended Instrument of Government be given the official Council `seal'.
- IDENTIFICATION OF CHAIR(PERSON) FOR NEXT MEETING (REPORT 17).
RESOLVED that Councillor S. Davis be designated Chair elect of the next Education Committee meeting on the 3rd July 2000 at 2pm.
- NOTICE OF ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS (REPORT 18).
RESOLVED
(1) List of planned items be used, subject to the inclusion of the following:-.
(2) An up-date on the Family Information Service; and
(3) A report on teacher absence figures should be provided.
The meeting ended at 7.00pm
Chair (person)
Date Confirmed and Signed