Agenda and minutes

The Forum had been requested to note its Terms of Reference.  In response to a comment that the Governors constituency included someone from a ‘special needs school’ while the Teachers constituency did not, the Forum was advised that the Teachers constituency could consider this issue and make a recommendation at a later date if appropriate. 

Members commented that as there was no longer a requirement for the Forum to have an arts constituency of two members nominated by Arts Culture Harrow, as this had previously been removed from the Forum’s Terms of Reference, references to Arts Culture Harrow and arts and leisure should also be removed from the Terms of Reference.  The Forum therefore:   

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (To Cabinet)

That the following amendments to the Terms of Reference of the Education Consultative Forum be approved:

(1)  Delete ‘Arts Culture Harrow’ from 1 (i);

(2)  Delete ‘arts and leisure’ from 1 (ii);

(3)  Delete ’arts and leisure’ from 1 (iv); and

(4)  Amend ‘special needs school’ in 2 (c) to read ‘special school’. 

[Reason:  To enable the Forum’s Terms of Reference to be updated].

To note the appointment at the Meeting of Cabinet on 8 June 2006 of Councillor Miss Christine Bednell as Chairman of this Forum for the Municipal Year 2006/07.

RESOLVED:  To note the appointment, at the Cabinet meeting on 8 June 2006, of Councillor Miss Christine Bednell as Chairman of this Forum for the Municipal 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)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

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

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that (1) the following Members declared personal interests in relation to agenda item 11, “Harrow Sixth Form Collegiate”, and accordingly they remained in the room and took part in the discussion on this item and the decision on this item:

(2)  the following Members declared prejudicial interests in relation to agenda item 12, “Voluntary Aided Hindu Primary School” and accordingly they left the room and took no part in the discussion or the decision on this item:

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 Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED:  That (1) in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1972 (as amended), the following agenda item be admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2)  all items be considered with the press and public present.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Education Consultative Forum for the Municipal Year 2006/2007.

RESOLVED: To appoint Miss Jo Lang, from the Teachers’ Constituency, as Vice?Chairman of the Forum for the Municipal Year 2006?07.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

(i)                   Recommendation 1 – School Term Dates

Delete ’not’ from the last sentence in the last paragraph, so that it reads: ‘Regrettably this meant in this exceptional year that the summer term would begin on a Thursday.’

RESOLVED: That the following matter arising from the minutes of the last meeting be noted:

Recommendation 2 – Education White Paper

A Member advised the Forum that an acknowledgement of receipt had been received from Cabinet regarding the Forum’s recommendation concerning the Education White Paper, and that this could be circulated to Members.

To note the terms of Reference of the Education Consultative Forum.

(See Recommendation 1).

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).

The Forum received a tabled report of the Executive Director (People First), which provided information on neighbouring authorities’ school term dates and requested the Forum to review its previously proposed school term dates for Harrow. 

Members commented that it was important that Harrow’s school term dates were in line with those of neighbouring boroughs.  As information on the school term dates of two neighbouring boroughs was still not available, the Forum agreed that this matter should be considered in September 2006 by which time more information should be available.  An officer requested that information on the current position with regards to school term dates be publicised in the schools’ weekly newsletter (Gold Bulletin).

RESOLVED:  That (1) School Term Dates for 2007-08 be considered at the next meeting of the Education Consultative Forum, when more information should be available on the school term dates of neighbouring authorities; and

(2)  information on the current state of affairs regarding Harrow’s School Term Dates for 2007?08 be provided in the schools’ weekly newsletter (Gold Bulletin).

Report of the Director of Strategic Services (People First).

The Forum discussed a report of the Executive Director (People First), which updated the Forum on the above matter. 

An officer advised the Forum that the Learning and Skills Council National Capital Committee should make a final decision regarding the bid for funding for the Harrow Sixth Form Collegiate by 13 July 2006. 

The Chairman noted that delays in the process had been unhelpful and that it was important that the decision be made before September when the new school term would begin. 

RESOLVED:  That (1) the Forum’s support for the Harrow Sixth Form Collegiate be noted;

(2)  the responsible officer draft a letter on behalf of the Forum to note its support for the Harrow Sixth Form Collegiate, which would be signed by the current Chairman and former Chairman of the Forum, and consult with the Director of Strategic Services to establish the recipients; and   

(3)  the Forum’s recognition of the efforts made by MPs, schools and colleges involved and by the Director of Strategic Services to try to progress the Collegiate be noted.

(See also Minute 3).

The Forum received a tabled report of the Director of Financial and Business Strategy, which was due to go to Cabinet on 29 June 2006, and provided background information on managing the current year’s budget and developing the new medium term strategy for 2007?08 to 2009?10. 

An officer advised the Forum that officers were working hard to ensure that savings undertaken would not adversely affect children and young people.  Members commented that cuts in People First would impact social care and thus children and schools, and that it was important that the Portfolio Holders for Issues Facing Younger People and Business Development be involved and consider any recommendations made. 

In response to a request for additional reports due to go to Cabinet to be circulated to the Governors Constituency, the Forum was advised that these would be available on the internet, and that although a special meeting of the Forum could be arranged, it would be difficult to confirm this given uncertainty over timescales.

RESOLVED: That the above be noted.

Report of the Executive Director (People First) and consultation paper by the I-Foundation.

(There will also be a presentation by the I-Foundation.)

The Forum received a report of the Executive Director (People First) and a consultation paper and presentation by the I-Foundation on the above matter.    

In response to questions, a representative from the I-Foundation advised the Forum of the following:

·         Students at the proposed school would learn about other faiths by participating in educational visits, which could include touring other schools and viewing exhibitions; 

·         The I-Foundation had not decided whether to implement a percentage of students from different faith backgrounds, but was still considering this, although it would have to bear in mind over-subscription for the school;

·         Although Hindu staff would be preferred, this would not be a prerequisite and professional qualifications would be considered over faith;

·         Regarding the impact upon student numbers at schools in Harrow and whether the balance of applications would be considered as part of the admissions criteria, applications would presumably be distance related, although the I-Foundation would be happy to consult Admissions on this matter.       

Members suggested that visits to places of worship of other faiths be undertaken by students, and suggested the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) be contacted for further advice.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

(See also Minute 3).

To note that the next meeting of the Forum is due to be held on 21 September 2006.

RESOLVED:  To note that the next meeting of the Forum would be held on 21 September 2006.