Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Head of Service, Resources and Access, Children & Young People’s Services which detailed a number of issues that had arisen as a result of the annual consultation exercise with and between schools and other LEAs.  All admission authorities must determine their arrangements by 15^th April 2006.

Annex 1 gave details of the LEA’s consultation document, which had been considered by governing bodies during the Autumn Term 2005.

The proposed admissions criteria for community and controlled schools differed from those applicable in the previous year in two respects:-

i)                     removal of ‘Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs’ from the criteria, and

ii)                   the introduction of a distance tie-breaker where the admission number is reached mid-category.

Community and controlled schools have also been consulted on their proposed admission number and voluntary-aided schools have had the opportunity to consider both their admission criteria and admission number.

All feedback received by the Authority was summarised in Annex 2, which also included further information on the recently published Education (Admission of Looked After Children) (England) Regulations 2006. 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed admission numbers contained within Annex 1 for community/controlled schools be confirmed for 2007/08, subject to the clarifications/amendments contained in Annex 2 Ai.

(2)         That the proposed amendments to the admissions criteria for community/controlled schools for 2007/08 in respect of children with statements of SEN, the use of a tie-breaker and necessary changes relating to ‘relevant looked after children’ be confirmed.

(3)         That the changes shown at Annex 2B in respect of voluntary aided schools be noted.

(4)         That the appropriate notice be published in respect of the proposed admission numbers for schools named in Annex 2C, where the admission number will be less than that indicated by the current net capacity calculation.

(5)         That all admission authorities be informed of the necessary changes brought about by the Education (Admission of Looked After Children) (England) Regulations 2006.

(6)         That the co-ordinated admissions schemes for both Primary and Secondary schools be confirmed and forwarded to the Secretary of State as required.

(7)         That the report be forwarded to the Local Admissions Forum (LAF) for consideration at its next meeting.

(8)  That a progress report be submitted to a future meeting on the effect the changes in admission criteria have had on the admissions process for 2007/08.

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Head of Service, Resources and Access, Children and Young People’s Services which contained details of a proposal to consult on the amalgamation of Maltby Manor Infant and MaltbyManor JuniorSchools by closing both schools and opening a new Maltby Manor Primary School.

Cabinet Member and Advisors had previously agreed to consult as appropriate where two schools met the considerations for amalgamation which are described in the ‘School Organisation Plan’.

It is proposed to amalgamate Maltby Manor Infant and MaltbyManor JuniorSchools from January 2007.  To do this both Maltby Manor Infant and Maltby Manor JuniorSchools will be closed and a new Maltby Manor Primary school with an age range of 3-11 years will be opened.  The new Primary school will accommodate the same number of pupils as are currently accommodated within the two schools.

The new School would have 420 places (R-Y6) with a Nursery unit of up to 52 places (26FTE).  (This is the combined numbers of the current two schools).  The school would have an admission number of 60.

The report set out two principal objectives of the amalgamation.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the consultation on the proposal to the amalgamation of Maltby Manor Infant and MaltbyManor JuniorSchools, by closing both schools and opening a new Maltby Manor Primary School, as described in Appendix A, is begun.

(2)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting containing details of the outcome of the consultation.

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Head of Service Inclusion Voice and Influence which gave an update in relation to a letter from the Rt. Hon. Ruth Kelly, to Chief Education Officers/Director of Children’s Services about reducing bureaucracy linked to the provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs.

A recent meeting with the DfES SEN Adviser had indicated that Rotherham is making positive steps to achieve this.

The report set out the work carried out throughout 2004-05 by the Inclusion, Voice and Influence team who had looked critically at the systems for planning, assessing, reviewing and making provision for children with SEN, working with schools and the workforce re-modelling team to continue to ensure proper accountability.

The report included details of:-

-                       the assessment process and accountability

-                       provision to develop the work on the monitoring and evaluation of SEN

-                       provision across schools in Rotherham

-                       changes to the SEN funding formula for schools

The key elements of the work was to reduce reliance on statements, the need to implement holistic planning and reduce IEPs, and to progress the work of e-enabled communication.

Discussion took place regarding training issues and the role of RBT in the use of ICT systems and data collection, and statutory duties of Local Authorities.

Resolved:-  That the report be received.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following two items to prevent any unnecesssary dealy in processing the matters referred to).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs indicated below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

-  to consider a number of options for the future management of this site

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relates to financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

Consideration was given to a report of the Green Spaces Manager, Culture and Leisure which contained a number of options for the future management of the above site and to ensure proper consideration is given to the long term strategy for the site in line with Council service priorities.

The lease between CISWO and this Authority for the former miners welfare building and associated recreation ground at Lordens Hill, Dinnington, is due to expire on 25^th March 2006.

The report submitted set out in detail the current situation with regard to the use of this land, former miners welfare building and changing rooms, together with information from the Green Space audit and a number of management issues in respect of the site.

Reference was made to the current Review of Grass Pitches in the area, as part of the Green Space Audit, the physical condition of the building, and the extent to which the playing facilities are presently being used.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the lease of the former miners welfare building at Lordens Hill be allowed to lapse to permit the sitting tenant to negotiate a separate lease directly with CISWO.

(2)         That a short term (3 year) lease be entered into for continued use of the football changing rooms adjoined to the miners welfare building and associated access for users (at nominal rent).

(3)         That a short term (3 year) extension to the existing lease of the recreation ground be entered into (at nominal rent).

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 – information relating to financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

-  to approve the proposed new structure for Green Spaces and to a request to proceed with its implementation

(Exempt under Paragraph 4 of the Act – information relates to consultations or negotiations in connection with labour relations matters)

Following a Best Value Review of Green Spaces, and subsequent action planning in 2004, consideration was given to a report of the Head of Culture and Leisure, together with a revised staffing structure for the Green Spaces Unit, which has been developed in order to better meet the objectives of the Council and the Service and to deliver savings by increasing outputs within existing resources.

The report contained details of the following:-

            -           Background

      -           Review of Green Spaces

      -           Staff consultations/considerations

      -           Funding

In addition, details of other considerations given to the new staffing structure for the Service were outlined in terms of the contribution made by Green Spaces to all the Corporate Priorities and Culture and Leisure Service strategic objectives, following which a full discussion took place.

Resolved:-  That the report and accompanying proposed new structure for Green Spaces, be approved for implementation.

(Exempt under Paragraph 4 – information relating to consultations or negotiations in connection with labour relations matters).