Agenda item

This report asks the Panel to consider the future options for the local Education system, in light of changing national policy and legislation and the evolving landscape.

Paul Mortimer (EBM), Adrian Leggett (EBM) and Stephen Ravenscroft (Stone King) were present to answer questions from the Panel.

The Chair asked if they could confirm for the Panel that the Teckal Company would be a social enterprise, with all profits going back into the provision of services to schools.

Stephen Ravenscroft replied that there would be flexibility within the structure, but in pure terms any surplus would be retained within the company.

The Chair asked if they could expand on how a Teckal Company could continue to be used to help shape the role that the Council plays in a collaborative primary, values-led MAT with B&NES schools.

Stephen Ravenscroft replied that a Teckal Company would assume responsibility for services, but the Council could be involved in designing the shape / scope of services and be part of the commissioning services.

He added that their influence must be less than 20% at all times due to the Local Government Act associated and regulated company concerns. He said if B&NES were to become a Member of the MAT any services they provide to the MAT must be charged ‘at cost’.

Councillor Karen Warrington asked if there were enough schools locally that had not yet committed themselves to becoming an Academy.

The Strategic Director for People and Communities replied that 50 out of 80 schools had not yet converted although he was aware that 8 were in the process of doing so.

The Chair commented that she felt that this issue was not being discussed by enough School Governors.

The Strategic Director for People and Communities replied that officers and EBM met with Governors in June / July and that they planned to meet again in October.

Councillor Alison Millar asked if the Teckal would be a Private Limited Company.

Stephen Ravenscroft replied that a Teckal could be managed under a range of options. He said that an example of a Teckal involving schools was Hertfordshire County Council’s ‘Herts for Learning’. He added that this is a shared company in which the Council has shares in it alongside others.

He stated that other possible options were for it to be run as a Community Interest Company or a Charity.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that having looked at the options her initial preference would be a Co-operative MAT. She asked if current B&NES staff could work for both B&NES and a Teckal Company as she would like to preserve the level of support and expertise currently available.

Stephen Ravenscroft replied that staff from Hertfordshire County Council transferred to the Teckal.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked to what extent is all of this up in the air at present, given the changing educational landscape with Grammar Schools making a comeback.

The Strategic Director for People and Communities replied that a Green Paper regarding Grammar Schools has been published, but that a lot of work was required over the next 18 months – 2 years and local solutions would be required.

The Panel RESOLVED to recommend that:

i)  The Cabinet Member instructs officers to conduct a detailed feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis of B&NES Council facilitating setting up a Teckal Company.

ii)  As part of this process it involves school leaders (Head Teachers and Chairs of Governors) particularly those who have expressed an interest in a Teckal Company with LA involvement.

iii)  If the pricing structure of the Teckal Company is unaffected by B&NES Council being a stakeholder in the MAT that we adopt a policy of engaging with any emerging MAT with a view to becoming a 20% stakeholder.