Issue - meetings

11.45am

Graham Shaw, Deputy Director – Oxfordshire Customer Services, and Frances Craven, Deputy Director – Education and Early Intervention, to present a report (to follow) to the Committee on the results of the soft-market testing as it relates to education.

Frances Craven, Deputy Director for Education & Early Intervention, confirmed to Committee that discussions had been taking place between providers and local authorities and this process was part-way through. A report was due back to Cabinet on the 15^th October 2013 in relation to points 1-4 of paragraph 3 of the report before Committee.

Graham Shaw, Deputy Director for Oxfordshire Customer Services highlighted the extent of the savings to be made. There were a number of key learning points to be taken from the process so far. Firstly that one size does not fit all; there won’t be one provider and there were a range of possible models. Secondly there was a need to take schools and governors with the authority on this journey as they would shape the services to be provided. Committee heard that officers were engaging schools, listening to their comments and factoring these comments in. Councillor Rose added that the intention was to end up with a service that schools valued and used. The Music Service would be protected in whatever way possible.

During discussion the Committee questioned whether or not the Council would remain an interface between a provider and schools, having heard that there was an existing interface between providers and academies, and a confidence in known faces.  The challenge in particular for small rural primary schools having to deal with several providers was raised.  There was a feeling that Head Teachers should be able to focus on improving schools and education, rather than business management.

Concern was also raised as to the timescale involved in the decision making of Cabinet in this matter, and the importance of scrutiny in this and other forums. The need to have input from schools was vital.

There was some discussion on the need to ensure continuity of service particularly through any transition period. Schools and governors needed clear advice and options at an early stage.