Issue - meetings

To receive a report which provides Members with an update on progress to implement the proposals for an Education Services Company (ESC).

1.    Patrick Leeson introduced the report and provided Members with an update on progress to implement the proposals for an Education Services Company (ESC). He said that a lot of work and preparation had been done to ensure that the ESC could go live from April 2018. He said that the ESC would make a whole range of education services for a range of schools delivered by Kent.

a)    In response to a question, Patrick Leeson said that all staff transferring into the ESC would keep their Kent County Council terms and conditions and pension entitlements, although the ESC would have their own pension arrangements for new staff.

b)    In response to a question, Patrick Leeson said that there were arrangements between schools with regards to offering the ESC service. He said that the relationship with schools was critical; the ESC would be set up by Kent County Council to ensure that a dependable service could be provided for Kent Schools.

c)    In response to a question, Patrick Leeson said that staff transferring into the ESC would keep their terms and conditions for as long as they are employed by the company.

d)    In response to a question, Patrick Leeson outlined the amount of staff that would be tuped into the company.

2.    The recommendation in the report was then put to the vote.

Carried (11 votes for, 1 vote against)

3.    RESOLVED that the progress and updates outlined in the report be noted and that the decision by the Cabinet Member that the new company will commence trading on 1 April 2018, recommended in light of:

       i.        Further information received resulting in Cabinet Members carefully considering the benefits and risks of proceeding with the commencement of trading;

      ii.        The detailed briefing provided to Cabinet Members with an opportunity to consider the issues raised; and

    iii.        The detailed briefing provided to Scrutiny Committee with an opportunity to consider the issues raised,

be endorsed.