Agenda item

“This County Council congratulates the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families on her criticism of the Government proposal to force all Oxfordshire schools to become academies. We wholeheartedly agree that schools should be given a free choice of whether to become Academies or to continue to be supported by Oxfordshire County Council. Council asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of state asking to withdraw this unhelpful proposal.”

Councillor Tanner moved and Councillor Gill Sanders seconded the following motion:

“This County Council congratulates the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families on her criticism of the Government proposal to force all Oxfordshire schools to become academies. We wholeheartedly agree that schools should be given a free choice of whether to become Academies or to continue to be supported by Oxfordshire County Council. Council asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of state asking to withdraw this unhelpful proposal.”

In moving his motion, Councillor Tanner indicated that he was content to accept the amendment put forward by Councillor Howson as shown at Annex 1 to the schedule of business. This was not agreed by Council as required by Council Procedural Rule 14.1.

Councillor Mills moved and Councillor Lilly seconded the following amendment as shown below in bold italics and strikethrough:

“This County Council congratulates the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families on her criticism of the Government proposal to force all Oxfordshire schools to become academies. We wholeheartedly agree that schools should be given a free choice of whether to become Academies or to continue to be supported by Oxfordshire County Council. Council asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of state asking to withdraw this unhelpful proposal.” give Local Authorities, dioceses and schools more time on this matter.”

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was carried by 33 votes to 26.

Councillor Howson then moved and Councillor Smith seconded the following amendment shown below in bold italics and strikethrough:

“This County Council congratulates the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families on her criticism of the Government proposal to force all Oxfordshire schools to become academies. We wholeheartedly agree that schools should be given a free choice of whether to become Academies or to continue to be supported by Oxfordshire County Council. Council asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of state asking to withdraw this unhelpful proposal.” give Local Authorities, dioceses and schools more time on this matter.” that would:

·                transfer the land and buildings of all community schools from being owned by local residents through their local authority to central ownership by the Secretary of State;

·                remove the requirement for schools to elect parent governors;

·                leave local authorities with the responsibility for various aspects of the education system, including provision of sufficient school places, whilst apparently “freeing schools from local authority control”; and

·                allow head teachers more flexibility in relation to using unqualified teachers.

Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was carried by 30 votes to 29, the Chairman having exercised his casting vote.

Councillor Bob Johnston moved and ??? seconded that the question be now put.  The motion was put to the vote and was carried by 36 votes to 21, with 1 abstention.

The motion as amended by Councillor Mills and Councillor Howson was then put to the vote and was carried by 44 votes to 3, with 11 abstentions.

RESOLVED: (by 44 votes to 3, with 11 abstentions)

This County Council congratulates the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families on her criticism of the Government proposal to force all Oxfordshire schools to become academies. We wholeheartedly agree that schools should be given a free choice of whether to become Academies.  Council asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of state asking to give Local Authorities, dioceses and schools more time on this matter, that would:

·                transfer the land and buildings of all community schools from being owned by local residents through their local authority to central ownership by the Secretary of State;

·                remove the requirement for schools to elect parent governors;

·                leave local authorities with the responsibility for various aspects of the education system, including provision of sufficient school places, whilst apparently “freeing schools from local authority control”; and

·                allow head teachers more flexibility in relation to using unqualified teachers.