Agenda item

To consider and endorse or make recommendation(s) in respect of the proposal to create a new Education Services Company

Mr Gough, (Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform), Patrick Leeson (Corporate Director – Education and Young People’s Services), Keith Abbott (Director - Education Planning and Access), Simon Pleace (Revenue Finance Manager) and Tim Byles (Consultant) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Gough introduced the report which asked the Cabinet Committee to consider and endorse or make recommendations on a proposal to establish an Education Services Company.

(2)       Mr Leeson said: it was important to maintain the existing supportive arrangements with Kent Schools; ensure schools had access to quality, cost-effective services from KCC to support improvement in educational attainment and standards; and that the opportunities to generate income from traded services, to reinvest in supporting the delivery of education services, were maximised.

(3)       Mr Gough and Mr Leeson answered Members’ questions relating to the information set out in the exempt appendices.

(4)       Resolved that:

a)   The proposal to seek approval to create a company, in line with the business case, and to enter into such contractual arrangements as are necessary to facilitate that creation be endorsed;

b)   The legal structure of the proposed company and the delegation of authority to the Monitoring Officer to agree the final details in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform, the Cabinet Member for Commercial and Traded Services, the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services and the Corporate Director of Finance and Procurement be endorsed;

c)    The implementation of the shadow governance structure from April 2017 be endorsed.