Agenda item

In accordance with Rule 16 of the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Proper Officer has agreed to a request from the following Councillors for a Call In of the Cabinet’s decision made on 10 August 2010 in relation to ‘Oxford School – August 2010’:

Councillor Mohammed Altaf-Khan

Councillor Alan Armitage

Councillor Jean Fooks

Councillor John Goddard

Councillor Jenny Hannaby

Councillor Sarah Hutchinson

Councillor Zoe Patrick

Councillor Larry Sanders

Councillor Richard Stevens

Councillor John Tanner.

The Cabinet decision was as follows:

"The Cabinet, following consideration of the outcome of the consultation on the proposed closure of Oxford School to enable its replacement by an academy, AGREED to proceed with the publication in September 2010 of a Statutory Notice for the closure of Oxford School, to be determined following a further six week period of representation."

The reasons given for the request are:

“The decision is premature before the start of the new school year when discussions could have happened about possible federation arrangements with other schools;

The decision is also premature before the Comprehensive Spending Review in October when the capital position will be known.”

A copy of the report to the Cabinet (CH4) is attached.

The Scrutiny Committee had before it the report of the Director for Children, Young people & Families to cabinet on 10 August together with the draft minutes of that meeting.

Councillor Fooks spoke in support of point 1 of the call in. She referred to a meeting she had attended with Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education where he had indicated that it was possible to have confederations covering several schools. The situation had changed with a new government and the opportunity should be taken to look at all possibilities.

Councillor Michael Waine, Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement, responded to questions:

1. From Councillor Carol Viney – He confirmed that the move to an academy status did not preclude later discussion about federation. The Director for Children, Young People & Families, responding to a question from the Chairman undertook to advise head teachers that they would be able to pursue any collaboration proposals with the new academy. Councillor Waine added that there was already collaboration between local schools.

2. From Councillor Melinda Tilley – He commented that the schools had broken up for the summer at the end of the consultation period. He added that it was a myth that schools closed down in the summer.

During discussion the following points were made;

1.  There were ongoing discussions about collaboration that were wider than the curriculum and the 14-19 agenda. There was a value in the role of the LA and the involvement of local communities. A concern was expressed that once the academy was in place there would not be a level playing field. Oxford City was unique with a rich mix across class and ethnic boundaries and it was right to try and put together the patchwork of education across the City.

2.   It was suggested that a different model of education could affect the ability of schools to confederate. Councillor Waine replied that if there was a wish to confederate the consultation could have been a vehicle to raise that. Discussions could still take place.

3.   A member queried how much of the non delegated schools budget had been lost with the other academies.

Councillor Fooks spoke in support of point 2 of the call in. She highlighted that there was uncertainty over future financial arrangements. The Building Schools for the Future funding was gone and she feared that the Council was rushing into a decision before the funding available was known.

Councillor Michael Waine, Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement, responded to questions:

1. From Councillor Neil Owen – He confirmed that there was concern around the capital funding but that there was a clear undertaking from government to discuss the position. The premise had been very much based on the transformation of the school from within so he felt that the spending review was a red herring. Roy Leach added that potentially, in the event of a delay, initial funding could be at risk. There was no capital guarantee with the new academy model. He confirmed that revenue funding would be based on the number of places rather than the numbers on roll.

2. From Councillor Sandy Lovatt – Councillor Waine outlined the timetable for moving forward on the proposals that had necessitated the decision during August. He also referred to the wish of Council as expressed at a Council meeting to avoid further delays and uncertainty.

During discussion the following points were made:

1. Concern was expressed that insufficient time was allocated for discussion with the unions. COTO were against academies and despite extensive consultation there were still issues surrounding the existing academies.

2. Some members expressed the view that it would be better to await the outcome of the government spending review.

3. Concern was expressed that there was no guarantee of the capital funding and in particular funding for the science block.

On a show of hands it was:

RESOLVED:                        to:

(a)               (by 8 votes to 3) take no further action on point 1 of the call in because the Committee found no material concerns and agreed not to refer the matter back to Cabinet for further consideration; and

(b)               (by 7 votes to 4) take no further action on point 2 of the call in because the Committee found no material concerns and agreed not to refer the matter back to Cabinet for further consideration.