Agenda and minutes

The Forum received a report of the Director of Strategy (People First), which set out the suggested school term dates for 2006/07. The proposal reflected the Association of London Government’s (ALG) proposed term dates as well as the principles agreed in Harrow.

Officers reported that the suggested school term dates for 2006/07 were a slight variation of the ALG’s model and that Enfield had opted for the same modification. It was noted that other London Boroughs had not yet set their term dates but a few had indicated that were likely to adopt the ALG dates.

The Forum considered the way forward in determining future school term dates and agreed that the working group, in September, consider the pattern of take-up of London Boroughs for the ALG proposed dates.  If the take-up indicated that the majority of London Boroughs were adopting the ALG dates, then there would be a report back to the Forum and the Forum would be asked to agree that the ALG dates would be the basis for the setting of Harrow school term dates in the future without further consultation.

During further discussion, the Chair indicated that the Forum would continue to be consulted on the term dates annually to ensure that the ALG proposed dates met Harrow’s needs and to recommend minor modifications as needed, whilst working within the ALG guidelines. 

Members of the Forum suggested that a letter setting out Harrow’s term dates for 2006/07 and the agreed principles be sent out to all Boroughs to encourage an early setting of term dates across London.

The Chair asked that the ALG be informed of the teachers’ view that terms should not start or end in the middle of a week.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to the Portfolio Holder)

That it be agreed that the Harrow School Term dates for 2006/07 be set in accordance with appendix 1 to the officer report. 

[REASON:  To agree the term dates for Harrow schools for the academic year 2006/07].

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             after notifying the Chair at the start of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

It was noted that apologies had been received from the following Members of the Forum:

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

In relation to this item, Council Members re-stated the governorships which they each held, as set out in the minutes of the meeting of the Education Consultative Forum on 15 July 2004 (Minute 110).

RESOLVED:  That the Declarations of Interest now made by Council Members be noted.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Contingency Provision within Schools

The Forum asked that an update report on the contingency provision within the 2005/06 budget be made to the Forum’s Special meeting on the Schools Budget in December.

Operation of the Fines System for Non-Attenders

It was agreed that an update on the monitoring of the use of fines be made to the September meeting.

Corporate Policy on Translation

The Forum considered the information item regarding the Council’s translation policy which had been requested at the previous meeting. Members noted the two alternative wordings for the explanations on the translation box and agreed that the second alternative would be preferable.

RESOLVED:  That the matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting be noted.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 13 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received at this meeting under the provisions of the Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 13 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

Director of Strategy, People First.

See Recommendation 1 above.

Report of the Director of Learning and Community Development, People First.

The Forum considered a report of the Director of Learning and Community Development, which updated the meeting on the drug education policy in Harrow.

Officers explained that amendments to Harrow’s policy referred to the national guidance, which had been published in March 2004, and which also gave advice regarding the use of drug testing in schools.  It was reported that the consultation with schools and drug education co-ordinators on Harrow’s revised policy had been delayed and would begin in the summer term.

A number of recent initiatives on drug education in schools were outlined and officers advised that the Harrow Drug Education Teacher Observation Programme had achieved national recognition and would be reported in National Case Studies as an example of good practice in Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE).

In response to a query from a Forum member regarding the outcome of the Harrow Youth Conference, officers replied that it had been evident that drug use was an important issue for young people and that most pupils preferred interactive teaching of PSHE issues in schools.

A Forum member raised concern regarding governors’ responsibilities in implementing the policy.  Officers stressed that Harrow’s policy would be to resort to drug testing only in special circumstances, and that governors had the powers not only to agree to drug testing but to decide against it as well.

The Forum was reminded that any policy on drugs would have to be continuously revised due to changes in drug use and the introduction of new substances.

The Chair asked that Harrow’s revised policy on drug education be submitted to the Forum for comments as part of the consultation.

The Forum suggested that a recommendation to invite PSHE co-ordinators to governor meetings be included in Harrow’s policy on drug education in schools.

RESOLVED: That the above be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Forum is due to be held on 14 July 2005.

The Chair advised that at the next meeting of the Forum he proposed to review the Forum’s terms of reference with a view to changing the acronym ECF to EdCF to avoid confusion with other committees, and to discuss the membership of Arts Culture Harrow on the Forum.

The current terms of reference of the Forum would be circulated to members for consideration and comment prior to the meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Forum was due to be held on 14 July 2005.