Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes present

1) Apologies were received from Mr Vye who was represented by Mrs Dean.

2) Apologies were also received from Mr Oakford who was represented by Mr Lymer as Deputy Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services.  

To receive any declarations of interest made by Members in relation to any matter on the agenda.  Members are reminded to specify the agenda item number to which it refers and the nature of the interest being declared

1) There were no declarations of interest by Members.

To consider and approve the minutes as a correct record

1) The minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive verbal updates from the relevant Cabinet Members and Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services portfolio.

1) Mr Gough, Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform, gave the following information;

a)    That in regards to the National Funding Formula a consultation was launched last week on the general principles and related concentration on high needs funding.

b)    That there will be a Schools Block, covering most day to day school activity, that will be allocated on a national formula direct from central government.

c)    On the principles of the consultation Education will be moving towards a more national approach and as a consequence Kent County Council and Kent schools will experience more rigidity in terms of funding.

d)    A number of different funding sources for local authority services will be single Central Schools Block.

e)    In regards to the new Government budget unveiled on 16 March 2016 he explained that there was a section about Local Authorities “stepping back” from school improvement from 2017. Due to this the Directorate’s overall grant will shrink and the school improvement pot will become relatively small.

2) Mr Hill, Cabinet Member for Community Services, gave the following information;

a)    That the Youth County Council finished their elections and that he had attended their meeting on 28 February. Mr Hill expressed a view that he found the new Youth County Council to hold a good quality of debate and asked some very good questions.

b)    The Kent Mountain Centre recently achieved the gold award from the Association of Outdoor Education.

c)    At the National Crime Beat Award a youth club from Margate had won the top award after receiving a nomination from the High Sheriff. Mr Hill also explained to Members that the youth group had been strongly encouraged by Mrs Wiltshire.

3) Mr Lymer, Deputy Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services, confirmed he had no verbal updates for this meeting.

4) Mr Leeson, Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services, gave the following information;

a)    In regards to the Vulnerable Learners Strategy Kent County Council would continue to work towards closing the achievement gap with the resources available. Nearly 25% of the total Education budget was focused on the support of vulnerable learners.

b)    Two new priorities have also been included; the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy, and a focus on parenting and family support.

c)    A greater focus on making the help available more coherent to parents and working with families was central to the strategy.

d)    The result of recent Ofsted inspections has been improving with just over 85% of Primary Schools and 82% of Secondary Schools achieving Outstanding and Good. The target for the end of this school year is 90%.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the proposal to permanently expand Wilmington Girls Grammar School from 4FE to 5FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Wilmington Girls Grammar School from 4FE to 5FE. He confirmed that as an academy the school conducted its own consultation. He explained to members that since publication of the agenda comment from local Councillor Ann Allen had been received (which was relevant to both items B1 and B2) and read it out the Committee. Councillor Allen’s comment was as follows:

“Whilst I wish to support both these excellent schools and welcome the opportunity to provide extra school places it is vitally important that the 3 senior schools work and cooperate to submit school travel plans    Wilmington is a village with only 1 access road   and we have now quite frankly a quart in a pint pot situation every weekday during term time as there are, as you know, 5 schools in the village 4 of which are all in close proximity.    Child safety is paramount and the impact on the residents and the whole community has to be prime consideration.      Please keep me fully appraised.   

Kind regards             

Ann Allen member for Wilmington”

2) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

3) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the proposal to permanently expand Wilmington Academy from a PAN of 200 to 8FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Wilmington Academy from 7FE to 8FE. He confirmed that as an academy the school conducted its own consultation. He explained to members that since publication of the agenda comment from local Councillor Ann Allen had been received, which were read out during discussion on item B1.

2) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

3) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the proposal by Leigh Academies Trust to expand the age range of the Leigh University Technical College (UTC) to admit students from year 7.  Currently the UTC admits students from year 10. This report also requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposed change of age range and the expansion of Leigh University Technical College (UTC.) Mr Watts explained that Ministerial approval was also being pursued to proceed with this. Should this go ahead the Department for Education are willing to fund half the cost so that Kent County Council would only need to contribute £5m.

2) Mr Watts stated that this represented good value for money and would ensure the schools future viability.  

3) Mr Watts explained to members that a UTC is focused more on technical and vocational subjects.

4) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

5) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young Peoples’ Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the proposal to permanently expand Wentworth Primary School from a PAN of 70 to 3FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Wentworth Primary School from a 2FE to 3FE. He confirmed that as an academy the school conducted its own consultation. He explained to members that the need for more school places in the area will be impacted dramatically by housing projects in the Bexley area.

2) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

3) The local member Mr Jan Ozog expressed his support for this

4) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young Peoples’ Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the outcome of the public consultation on the proposal to permanently expand Temple Hill Primary School from 3FE to 4FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Temple Hill Primary School from 3FE to 4FE. He explained the consultation had 6 responses of which 5 were in favour and 1 undecided.

2) The local member, Mr Tom Maddison, had expressed concerns over the traffic congestion and escalating transport cost but had made it clear he understood the need for more school places.

3) Mr Cowan emphasised that he is happy with the proposal and asks that Mr Maddison’s views and concerns are taken into account.

4) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

5) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the outcome of the public consultation on the proposal to permanently expand Craylands Primary School from 1FE to 2FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Craylands Primary School from 1FE to 2FE. He further informed members that this expansion would be necessary in responding to growing need in the area from the Ebbsfleet development.

2) A view was expressed that Kent Highways should provide further guidance on case law around objections to school planning applications due to traffic congestion concerns.

3) Mr Watts confirmed a summary of the consultation results can be found at the back of the report and that most of the 16 objections were over concerns on traffic congestion and a change of the feel of the school community.

4) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

5) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the outcome of the public consultation on the proposal to permanently expand Westcourt Primary School from 1FE to 2FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Westcourt Primary School from 1FE to 2FE. A consultation was held in which the clear majority were in support of the proposal.

2) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors, the local member and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

3) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the outcome of the public consultation on the proposal to permanently expand Edenbridge Primary School (Community) from 2FE to 3FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Edenbridge Primary School from 2FE to 3FE.

2) Mr Clive Pearman, the local member, reassured members that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

3) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

A report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services setting out the reasons behind the request to increase the Education and Young People’s Services Capital Budget allocation to the expansion White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts, Dover from the agreed £2.2m to £3.5m.

1) David Adams, Area Education Officer (South Kent,) introduced the report on the proposed increase in allocated budget towards an expansion of White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts in Dover.

2) Mr Gordon Cowan, as local member, stated that he fully supports this and that it was a good school.

3) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed to the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services setting out the results of the public consultation on the proposal to commission an enlargement of Bysing Wood Primary School from 1FE (30) to 2FE (60) from September 2017.

1) Marisa White, Area Education Officer (East,) introduced the report on the proposed expansion of Bysing Wood (Community) Primary School from 1FE to 2FE. She gave the following further information;

a)    The school had recently been expanded from half an FE to 1FE and was increasing in popularity.

b)    Extra places would be required to meet the growing need following a number of housing developments in the area.

c)    The site of the school is shared by a children’s centre and a nursery. Both have been consulted and are happy with the proposal.

d)    There were only a few low level concerns made during consultation. These were in regards to the effect of increased numbers at the school and traffic congestion.

2) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

3) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services outlining the strategy of the EYPS systems refresh programme and its next steps.

1) Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services, introduced the report on the procurement of new systems for the Education and Young People’s Services Directorate. He further explained to members that the intention was to rationalise their data systems so that a smaller number were required to undertake work across the Directorate.

2) In response to a question raised Mr Leeson confirmed that the current contracts had been extended past their original end date to allow officers the opportunity to establish a strategy for rationalising their data systems.

3) The Chairman requested an amendment to the recommendation be added so that it included: “A follow up report on the progress of the procurement of EYPS systems will also be included in the Work Programme to return to the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee in 6 months.”

4) RESOLVED that the recommendation is agreed by the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee with the inclusion of the Chairman’s amendment.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People's Services on the proposed term dates for the School Years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20.

1) Mr Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services, introduced the report on the proposed term dates for the school years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. He explained there had only been small changes to fit in with the calendar.

2) Mr Leeson also confirmed it is being considered whether it would be desirable to shorten summer holiday and extend half-terms. He emphasised that the second part of the recommendation was asking members to endorse the decision to hold a further consultation on this.

3) A view was expressed by Mrs Cole that in her personal experience a 2 week October half-term had proven helpful.

4) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agree to the recommendations.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Members for Education and Health Reform, Community Services and Specialist Children’s Services as well as the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services setting out the draft Education and Young People’s Services Directorate Business Plan 2016-17. 

1) Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services, introduced the report for the Education and Young People's Services Directorate Business Plan 2016-17.

2) In response to points made and questions raised Mr Leeson gave the following information;

a)    He confirmed that Kent County Council was currently seeing an expansion of higher level apprenticeships, although there would still be a very small number of these.

b)    In regards to apprenticeships there had been vacancies for Physical Sciences apprentices which, frustratingly, had not been filled.

He explained to Members that University Technical Colleges (UTCs) were a specific  project and  indicated that a major issue had been students not wanting to leave the Secondary Schools they are settled in to pursue an education at a UTC. 3) In regards to the Government budget unveiled on 16 March 2016 Mr Leeson explained to Members the following;

a)    That it showed a radical and major shift in responsibilities and a clear intention for all schools to become academies.

b)    The budget indicated that there was an expectation on Local Authorities to step back from their role in school improvement. Mr Leeson explained that in his view everything his Directorate does has a role in school improvement and a number of LA functions will  remain in place.

c)    There was no indication of the amount of money available in the central pot.

d)    Confirmation was given that it was Mr Leeson’s intention for sustained services to be available from his Directorate for Kent.

4) Mr Gough confirmed that the Government’s intention to build 500 free schools was not new. The rationale behind this however has shifted over time.

5) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee note the Education and Young People's Services Directorate Business Plan 2016-17.

To receive the report from the Head of Democratic Services that gives details of the proposed Work Programme for the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee.

1) Members were asked that they agree to the Work Programme with the inclusion of the follow up report on EYPS systems procurement that had been agreed at item B11.

2) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee endorse the Work Programme with the inclusion of the EYPS systems procurement follow up report.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services that sets out Education and Young People’s Services performance scorecard.

1) Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services, introduced Education and Young People’s Services Quarterly Directorate Scorecard report which gives members a summary of performance.

2) Mr Roger Gough, Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform, explained that some of the RAG ratings were misleading. In particular figures at the end of last year had been skewed by fallout from the Hextable closure.

3) In response to questions raised on the performance in Swale it was confirmed by Mr Leeson that Education and Young People’s Services are about to undertake a major review in this area.

4) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee had taken into consideration and commented on the Performance Scorecard.

To receive a report from the Cabinet Members for Education and Health Reform, Community Services and Specialist Children’s Services as well as the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services asking the Cabinet Committee to comment and consider the risks presented.

1) Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services, introduced the Risk Management report for the Education and Young People’s Services Directorate. He brought members attention to the following;

a)    Transport budget, spending on SEN transport is still a high risk.

b)    Meeting new time scales is a big challenge and system change for the Directorate.

2) RESOLVED that members of the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee considered the risks presented.