Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ellie Harmer and Councillor Wells attended as substitute.  Councillor Cooke also sent her apologies. 

Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP declared that he was a Governor of Bromley College of Further and Higher Education and of Southborough Primary School.

Councillor Kathy Bance declared that she had grandchildren in 6 Bromley Schools.

Councillor Judi Ellis declared that she was a Governor of Riverside School and Midfield Primary School, that her son was the Head teacher of Biggin Hill Primary School and that she had two grandchildren attending Tubbenden Primary School.

Councillor Peter Fortune declared that his wife was a teacher at an academy in the Borough.

Councillor Tom Philpott declared that he was an employee of Pearson Education Plc.

Councillor Neil Reddin declared that he had children who attended a school in the Borough and that his wife was a Governor of two primary schools in the Borough. 

Mrs Mary Capon, Church representative, declared that she was an employee of the Aquinas Church of England Education Trust, that her husband was a governor at Newstead Wood and her daughter attended Newstead Wood

Mrs Joan McConnell, Church representative, declared that she was a Governor of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.

Mrs Alison Regester, Pre-School Settings and Early Years representative, declared that she ran a private day nursery in the Borough. 

Mrs Mylene Williams, Parent Governor representative, declared that she was a Governor of St Paul’s Cray C.E. Primary School and that she had a child who attended St Paul’s Cray C.E. Primary School.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th March 2016 be agreed and that matters outstanding be noted.

To hear questions to the Committee received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5.00pm on Thursday 19^th May 2016 and to respond.  Questions must relate to the work of the scrutiny committee.

There were no questions.

To hear questions to the Portfolio Holder received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5.00pm on Thursday 19^th May 2016 and to respond.  Questions must relate to the work of the Portfolio.

There were no questions.

Report ED16035

The Committee considered its work plan for the 2016/17 municipal year.  It was agreed that for the meeting on 15 September 2016 the Committee would consider Child Safeguarding and the recent outcome of the Ofsted Inspection into Children’s Services (this would be a joint item with the Care Services PDS Committee).

The following issues were identified for consideration for the remainder of the year:

January 2017

SEND Update

Helping Under Performing Schools

March 2017

Missing Children (NEET)

Home Education

RESOLVED: That the Work Programme for 2016/17 be agreed and the school schools visits undertaken in the Spring Term 2015/16be noted.

The Portfolio Holder gave an update to Members on work being undertaken across the Education Portfolio.  In providing a brief review of his first year in office, the Portfolio Holder highlighted that a number of challenges had been tackled in 2015/16 notable the Youth Offending Service which had just received a positive report following the mock inspection of the Youth Justice Board.  A number of difficult decisions had needed to be taken in relation to the provision of Adult Education however a lot a positive work had been done and a new curriculum was now being developed.

Focusing on the year head, the Portfolio Holder reported that there would be a requirement to take different decisions in 2016/17.  The Local Authority would have to consider the shape of the services that it provided in the future and the best way to deliver those services.  This would present the opportunity to work with departments across the Authority.  Communication would need to be a key priority for the year.

The Portfolio Holder highlighted that decisions surrounding the provision of Education would be guided by the Government’s White Paper.  In the white Paper, the success of the London Borough of Bromley in driving the academy agenda had been acknowledged.  In addition to this, good feedback had been received about SEN provision.  The Portfolio Holder concluded his update by stressing that the year ahead would be busy with the transformation of the provision of educational services.

In response to questions from Members of the Committee, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that in relation to the Beckenham Society, the applicants were currently in the second phase of the pre-application stage, no formal application had been submitted.  The applicants were also working with residents.  In relation to Langley Park and Eden one of the key challenges had been communication around making land available.  The White Paper issued by the Government had made it clear that suitable land had to be made available for education.  This was an internal challenge faced by the Local Authority and if the Council was unable to identify suitable land itself the Government would intervene.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Director of Education reported that she believed that the admissions criteria for Langley Primary Free School would be based on the permanent location of the school, not its temporary location whilst building work is ongoing.

In response to a question from a Member the Director of Education reported that a good relationship with the Regional Schools Commissioner had been built.  The London Borough of Bromley found itself in a unique position to feed its learning and experience back to the Regional Schools Commissioner and the Department for Education.

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.

·  Youth Offending Team – Improvement Plan Update

·  Proposed Adult Education Curriculum for 2016/2017

Paper copies of this Information Briefing will not be available at the meeting of Education Select Committee.

Information Items will not be debated at Education Select Committee unless a member of the Committee requests a discussion be held.  24 hours notice must be given to the Clerk.

The Youth Offending Service – Improvement Plan Update

In response to a question regarding the role of the Operational Managers, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that Operational Managers would be in place to lead the Teams, in addition to this there would be a Head of Service.  In terms of recruiting a permanent Head of Service, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that everyone involved was aware of the need for good leadership.

Proposed Adult Education Curriculum for 2016/17

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Head of Adult Education reported that payment by instalments had been set up a few years ago when fees for adult education increased.  The offer of payment by instalment helped to make more courses more widely available.  Service users chose to pay by a number of different methods and any missed payments were promptly followed up.

The Head of Adult Education also confirmed that the leisure courses that were on offer as part of the new curriculum were those that historically attracted a high take up and received a subsidy and were therefore envisaged to break even.  In relation to the large printing and etching machine at the Widmore Centre, this had been identified as surplus to requirements and would therefore be open to closed bids.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the service would continue to be monitored to ensure that it was fit for purpose.

In relation to courses at the Cotmandene Centre, the Head of Adult Education confirmed that the intention was to add to the volunteer provision by putting additional tutors in.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it was likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016 were agreed, and signed as a correct record.