Agenda and minutes

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 no interests were declared in relation to the business to be transacted at this meeting.

That the meeting held on 25 July 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2006 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution).

To receive questions (if any) under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

(Note:  Paragraph 16 of the Executive Procedure Rules stipulates that questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received and that there be a time limit of 15 minutes).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put at the meeting under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution).

In accordance with the provisions contained in Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 22 (Part 4F of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no matters had been referred to the Executive Member for reconsideration in accordance with the provisions contained in the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 22 (Part 4F of the Council’s Constitution).

(if any)

RESOLVED:  To note that no reports had been received.

Report of the Director of Strategic Services (People First)

It was noted that the meeting had been convened at short notice for the reasons set out in the agenda.

The Leader considered the report of the Director of Strategic Services (People First), together with the report considered by a cross?party Member Panel on 27 November 2006, which related to Harrow’s One?School Pathfinder project, and involved the taking of an urgent key decision.

The reports referred to the invitation from the Department of Education and Skills (DfES) to participate in the second phase of the Government’s Building Schools for the Future One?School Pathfinder (OSP).  An application and selection process had been undertaken to determine which of Harrow’s schools should be selected for the Pathfinder project.  It was noted that the Member Panel had unanimously recommended that Whitmore High School be selected for the Pathfinder project.

The Leader noted that there was a requirement from the DfES for a detailed proposal in relation to the school selected by Harrow to be submitted by 30 November 2006.  The meeting was informed that, in accordance with paragraph 16 – Special Urgency - of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Council’s Constitution, the agreement of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that the taking of the decision could not be reasonably deferred until Cabinet on 14 December 2006 had been obtained.  She had also agreed that the decision in relation to this matter was urgent and as a result would not be subject to the call?in procedure.

RESOLVED:  That Whitmore High School be selected for Harrow’s One?School Pathfinder project.

Reason for Decision:  In order to advise the DfES of Harrow’s selection of Whitmore High School for Harrow’s One-School Pathfinder project, in accordance with their deadline of 30 November 2006.