Agenda item

(1)       The agenda papers had been published with the February 2013 version of this report.  The correct papers had been circulated to Members of the Panel before the meeting and a hard copy was tabled.

(2)       Mr D L Brazier made a declaration of an Other Significant Interest pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Kent Code of Conduct for Members. He withdrew from the meeting for this item without participating in any discussion or vote on this matter.

(3)       Ms A Harrison moved, seconded by Miss S J Carey that Mr R J Parry be elected Chairman for this item.

                                                            Carried unanimously

(4)       Mr R J Parry thereupon took the Chair.

(5)       The Panel agreed to re-appoint Mr D L Brazier to the Governing Body of New Ash Green Primary School in the light of the strong representations made by the Governing Body and because it considered that he had very nearly attended the required number of meetings despite the competing pressures of other duties in his capacity as a Cabinet Portfolio holder.  The Panel also noted that Mr Brazier played an active role on the Finance Committee.

(6)       The Panel agreed to re-appoint Mrs R Griffiths to the Governing Body of Hythe Bay CE Primary School in the light of the representations made by the Chair of the Governing Body. The Panel accepted that Mrs Griffith’s attendance would have been higher if it had not been for the clashes of meetings with those of Hythe Town Council.  It was noted that these clashes had largely been resolved and that the Governing Body Chair expected her attendance to be exemplary on future.  

(7)       The Panel agreed to re-appoint Mrs R Gainsford to the Governing Body of Lympne CE Primary School.  The Panel noted that she was the Chair of Governors as well as the supporting correspondence and the fact that no other vacancies on the Governing Body existed.  It also took into account that her child would be leaving the School at the end of the school year.  The Panel also asked the Governor Support Officer to provide Mrs Gainsford with an explanation of both the guidelines for appointment and of the necessity for all requests to vary them to be duly considered by the Panel.

(8)       The Panel agreed to re-appoint Mrs C Stanion to the Governing Body of St Anthony’s School.  The Panel considered that as she had been a member of the Governing Body for 12 years since being a member of staff at the School, the purpose served by the relevant guideline would have diminished.  The Panel also noted that the School had not yet reconstituted its Governing Body and asked the Governor Support Officer to suggest that it did so as soon as it was able.

(9)       The Panel agreed to re-appoint Dr M Bain to the Governing Body of St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School as he had disclosed his wife’s employment at the School on each occasion over the previous 9 years that he had applied for re-appointment.  

(10)     The Panel decided with regret not to re-appoint Dr P Brierley to the Governing Body of The Tonbridge Federation.  It concluded from the information provided by the Governing Body that, whilst he was an enthusiastic governor, he was struggling with the physical demands of the role. 

(11)     RESOLVED that the appointments of Authority Governors to Primary, Secondary, Special Schools, Pupil Referral Units, the Pool of Additional Governors and nominations to non-Authority Academies be agreed as set out in the Appendix to these Minutes.