Agenda and minutes

Resolved – That Councillor Garry Perkins Chair this meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Perkins took the Chair. 

Introduction

The Chair explained that this was not a meeting of the Cabinet and referred to the distinct role played by the Cabinet Panel. He made it clear that the Cabinet Panel had no pre-determined view on the item under consideration and would make its decisions on the evidence before it and on the questions and comments arising at the meeting.

The Chair referred to the process to be adopted at the meeting should there be attendance by members of the public.

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

            The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.

            Councillors Fionuala Foley, Peter Greenhalgh and David Renard made personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda item 6 (Special Resource Provision for Pupils with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties at Mountford Manor Primary School) as they served as Local Education Authority school governors to schools in the Borough.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th June 2010.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th June 2010, be confirmed as a correct record.

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance.

            No questions were asked in accordance with Standing Order 28.

The Group Director, Children and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services submitted a joint report concerning the proposal to establish a Special Resource Provision Unit at Mountford Manor Primary School, Swindon, designed to meet the needs of children and young people who without such provision would not be able to access a mainstream curriculum and providing a specialist but inclusive learning environment for pupils with significant difficulties, and setting out the outcome of the consultation undertaken following the publication of the statutory notice on the proposal.

The Director of Schools and Learning outlined the background to the proposal. He referred to the outcomes of consultation process undertaken by the Council, and highlighted the key aspects of the report. He commented on the increasing pressure for the establishment of further specialist provision for primary school age pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties within Swindon, and to how the proposal would increase the flexibility of provision across the Borough. He explained that Mountford Manor School was in a “hard federation” with Drove Primary School, a good school with outstanding features, and how the new provision would involve, enable and promote close working with Nyland Special School and with other primary schools across the Borough. He believed that the provision would lead to better long-term outcomes for those children with specialist needs as they made their way though their schooling.

The Chair advised that a letter had been received from Dr. Nick Capstick, Executive Headteacher of Drove Primary School and Mountford Manor Primary School, dated 5^th April 2011, on behalf of the governors, in which he confirmed the support that the proposed specialist provision had from both the staff and governors across the federation of the two schools. The letter, which was circulated at the meeting, also stated that this support was unanimous across all staff and children and that through parent consultation the school community was not aware of any dissenting voices.

Councillor David Renard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, commented that he believed there was a clear case for the establishment of a Special Resource Provision Unit at the school. He referred to the support for the provision of this specialist facility from the school community, as was made clear from the Executive Headteacher’s letter, and through the lack of negative responses in the consultation findings.  He enquired regarding the cost of the provision and whether it would be possible for the provision to be in place by the envisaged start date of 6^th June 2011? The Director of Schools and Learning confirmed that the funding was available and that due to the limited nature of the works required it was envisaged that implementation would be possible by the target date.

Resolved – That the Cabinet Panel on School Organisation approves the proposals for the addition of a provision that is recognised by the Local Authority as reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs at Mountford Manor Primary School, Bothwell Road, Walcot East, Swindon, as set out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.