Issue - meetings

Report ED16034

The Chairman was pleased to welcome the Director of Education, Mrs Sam Parrett, Principal and CEO of Bromley College, and Mrs Jo Brinkley, CEO and Executive Headteacher of the Spring Partnership Trust to the meeting.  The Committee had before them a report which provided an overview of education and the Education Services Department within the London Borough of Bromley.  The report provided background information and context on the education landscape within Bromley highlighting the key priorities and policies of the teams within the Education Department.  In addition to this, Mrs Parrett had provided to the Committee some background information on Bromley College and Mrs Brinkley had provided a report on the Spring Partnership Trust.

The Director of Education and Mrs Parrett also gave comprehensive presentations to the Committee. 

Mrs Jane Bailey, Director of Education and Cllr Peter Fortune, Portfolio Holder for Education

Following the presentation to the Committee by the Director of Education, a question and answer session was held with the following themes emerging:

Statutory Responsibilities of the Local Authority

The Director of Education reported that she anticipated that the statutory duties of the Local Authority would reduce however, the Local Authority would retain responsibility for safeguarding.  In relation to this duty all schools had a duty to co-operate with the Local Authority.  The Children’s Safeguarding Board would retain its responsibilities and the Local Authority would be looking at how the system could be strengthened.  Recently a Primary Headteacher and a Secondary Headteacher had joined the Board and it was considered that this would help to develop and enhance relationships moving into the future.

The Committee noted that Appendix 3 to the reported provided by the Director of Education was a review of statutory duties and outlined the duties which the Local authority was likely to retain and those that would transfer to other bodies.

In terms of developing close co-operation with both academies and the Regional Schools Commissioner, the Director of Education emphasised the importance of working in partnership and developing robust relationships in order to share information.  To this end, good communication would be key.  It was not anticipated that the resolution of any issues that could arise would be driven through statute.

The Portfolio Holder emphasised that this was very much an evolving process and that as a leader in the field of academy conversions the London Borough of Bromley would need to be pro-active in feedback back to the Department for Education any policy issues as they arise.

Nursery Provision

The Director of Education reported that the White Paper did not comment on Early Years provision as its focus was statutory provision however the Local Authority was awaiting the White Paper relating to Early Years.  It was anticipated that any impact for early years would be around funding reforms.

In relation to the concerns that had been raised surrounding the proposals for extending nursery provision at a fixed rate, taking no account of the variation in the quality and quantity of facilities,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8