Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Judith Heathcoat and Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles.

Councillor Howson had given notice of the following question to Councillor Hibbert-Biles:

”How willing and able are other schools and colleges about taking some of the Northfield students?”

In Councillor Hibbert-Biles absence the Leader of the Council replied:

“We have had some early discussions and positive indicators from local academies and external providers. Once the decision is made we will pursue those offers and go out to tender for the number of places needed to suit the location and needs of the students.”

Councillor Howson had given notice of the following question to Councillor Lindsay-Gale:

2. “Had rebuilding the school on the Northfield site with a more suitable layout already been discounted in the SEND Review as an option?”

Councillor Lindsay-Gale replied:

“The SEN Review will define the needs for SEN provision across Oxfordshire in the medium term. Once this need has been defined we will then consider all property options to determine how best we can meet the needs of pupils with SEN.”

Councillor Emily Smith had given notice of the following question to Councillor Lindsay-Gale:

“Despite teaching and support staff at Northfield School doing an excellent job, parents tell me the building has been falling apart around them for sometime. I also understand the layout of the building does not meet the needs of these students. Why haven't the cabinet tackled the maintanance and layout problems sooner?”

Councillor Lindsay-Gale replied:

“Northfield School was not purpose built as an SEN/SEMH school. This is not unusual but it is one the reasons why we are doing an SEN Review to ensure we have a sound long term plan for provision across the county.  

Maintenance budgets for school buildings are delegated to schools and it was the school’s responsibility to maintain the condition of the building. However, we had also put Northfield School in the School Structural Maintenance Plan, where we help schools with bigger maintenance issues such as Northfield’s roof. The asbestos incident meant we moved to fixing the immediate issue and working with CEF to determine the best future for the school, not just in terms of property, but in terms of education provision.  

It is also worth saying that, as you know, the County Council outsourced to Carillion the end-to-end management of property. We terminated this relationship because we were unhappy with the poor service they provided. We are sorry that the children of Northfield were affected but now the service is in house, we will do everything we can to ensure we meet the educational needs of all our children.”

Councillor Judy Roberts had given notice of the following question to Councillor Hibbert-Biles:

“With such a huge demand for special school places already, what will happen to the Northfields students for whom you will not be able to find suitable placements for (as was confirmed as a possibility by the Director of Children’s services during Performance Scrutiny)?”

In Councillor Hibbert-Biles absence the Leader of the Council replied:

“We believe that commissioning places for larger numbers will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53/18

The Leader of the Council had agreed the following requests to address Cabinet:

Cabinet Member: Public Health & Education

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/077

Contact: Barbara Chillman, Service Manager – Pupil Place Planning, Tel: (01865) 323804/Sandra Higgs, Schools Service Manager Tel: 07917 087603

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA6).

The County Council is seeking Cabinet approval to consult on the future of Northfield Special School, pending the outcome of the Council’s Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) Review.  The consultation will seek views on the future of the school based on two options, prior to any decisions being taken. In summary, the options will be to (Option A) close the Northfield School, placing current students in alternate and more suitable provision, pending the outcome of the SEND Review or (Option B) to continue to operate Northfield School as is, pending the outcome of the SEND Review.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to support a public consultation on the following two options:

(a)          Close the Northfield School, placing current students in alternate and more suitable provision, pending the outcome of the SEND Review

(b)          Continue to operate Northfield School as is, pending the outcome of the SEND Review.

Cabinet considered a report that sought their approval to consult on the future of Northfield Special School, pending the outcome of the Council’s Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) Review.  The consultation would seek views on the future of the school based on two options, prior to any decisions being taken. In summary, the options will be to (Option A) close the Northfield School, placing current students in alternate and more suitable provision, pending the outcome of the SEND Review or (Option B) to continue to operate Northfield School as is, pending the outcome of the SEND Review.

Michelle Codrington-Rogers, Oxfordshire Federation NASUWT, objected to the opening of consultation on closure. Ms Codrington-Rogers stated that the school was more than just a building: staff were dedicated to giving their best and went above and beyond for students. Her main concern was where the children would go. Academies could not be forced to take children and this would mean they would be placed out of County. She referred to new schools being built around the County that were finding it difficult to find pupils and the money could go to supporting the pupils at Northfield School. Representations about the state of the building had been made for a long time and it seemed that finally these were being listened to. There had been a lack of strategic oversight and it was time to find a solution. Ms Codrington-Rogers welcomed the SEND Review and highlighted the impact on support of previous budget cuts. Although she was glad that there were to be no further cuts she stressed that it was time to re-invest. Her members felt betrayed by what had happened.

Diane Wilson, Oxfordshire District Secretary, National Education Union (ATL section), was concerned about the impact on students, staff and other schools were Northfield School to close. Students needed stability or it would add to their anxiety. There were transport and establishment implications of moving staff with the risk of losing experienced staff. Transfer of 70 pupils to other schools would have a considerable impact on surrounding schools and she queried what analysis of that impact had been carried out. Ms Wilson queried how schools would be equipped to support the pupils and questioned what financial and strategic plan was in place. Ms Wilson asked how the school and pupils had benefitted from the hostel closure. She further queried the motive behind the proposal which she felt was about money rather than the needs of the pupils. She felt that there was a future for the school on a new site if necessary and certainly in new buildings.

Stuart Robinson, Assistant Secretary Oxfordshire National Education Union (NUT Section), spoke against the proposed consultation suggesting that a further option was needed. The Council could provide a new school and he queried why no option had been included to rebuild the school. The option to close the school was premature before the SEND Review and seemed long term rather than short or medium term to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55/18

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/078

Contact: Robin Rogers, Strategy Manager Tel: 07789 923206

Report by Chief Executive (CA7).

A report (to follow) will consider the implications of the changes to local government structures in Northamptonshire required by the Secretary of State, on Cherwell District Council and its current partnership arrangements with South Northamptonshire District Council. The report goes on to consider opportunities for future joint working between the County Council and Cherwell District Council with potential benefits to both councils and through them, residents. The report will seek agreement to the principle of joint working between Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council and to agree initial steps.

The report will be published as soon as it is available.

Local Government reorganisation in Northamptonshire has required the Leadership of Cherwell District Council (CDC) to reflect upon its future and consider what is best for its residents.  As a result they are ’minded to’ formally end their successful partnership with South Northamptonshire Council (SNC). While the functions of SNC are expected to be absorbed into a new unitary council, CDC will need to develop a new operating model that provides a stable platform for the continued improvement of services to residents and a sustainable financial strategy.

Prior to recent events in Northamptonshire, informal discussions between CDC and Oxfordshire County Council had already taken place on shared priorities for the locality. These include the sharing of accommodation and joint posts, with the aim being to put residents at the heart of delivery and to achieve improved services for communities through a closer working partnership.

This paper sets out an outline business case for formalising shared service activity and for a programme to develop joint working arrangements. It goes on to recommend that Cabinet approves the principle of joint working and to the establishment of a joint Chief Executive post. Cabinet is also asked to review and approve a set of guiding principles for joint working and to delegate to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader, the finalisation of a s113 Agreement, to allow for the establishment of formal joint committees as agreed by both councils and for implementation as business cases are agreed for each element of joint working. Finally, Cabinet is asked to agree to the establishment of an informal member-led Partnership Working Group.

Councillor Hudspeth in introducing the contents of the report referred to the context of the position Cherwell District Council found itself in. He stressed that the report was about the principle of working together and the first step was to appoint a joint Chief Executive. He assured Councillor Brighouse that there would be an opportunity to revisit the relationship with Hampshire. The work would dovetail into the Fit for the Future programme. There had been discussions between Leaders to get to this stage but the decision today would enable the Council to move forward together.

Nick Graham, Director of Law and Governance highlighted the Section 113 agreement and the Steering Group that would bring members together to explore opportunities for working together in an incremental approach. Audit & Governance Committee would be consulted on the Governance arrangements.

During discussions Councillor Bartholomew sought some clarification on the what would happen to the joint Chief Executive in the event that should for example,  the Cherwell DC Chief Executive be appointed and not be successful after the 6 month probationary period. The S113 document at Clause 5.5 was unclear. Nick Graham explained that it was an error in drafting which would be corrected. He confirmed that if unsuccessful in the joint role whoever it was would continue to be employed by their original authority. If the joint working arrangements continued then it would be for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56/18