Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2014 be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies of absence was received from Co-opted Members Darren Warrington and Denis Carey.

Councillor Rebecca Challice declared a non-pecuniary interest noting that she is a trustee of Barnet carer’s centre.

Councillors Ammar Naqvi, Councillor Alison Cornelius, Councillor Anne Hutton and Councillor Helena Hart all declared non-pecuniary interests as they noted that they were school governors within the Borough.

Councillor Helena Hart declared a non-pecuniary interest as her grandson attends Morasha primary school.

None

Details of the questions asked of, and the answers given by the Chairman were circulated and published on the Council’s website prior to the meeting.  Verbal responses were given to supplementary questions asked at the meeting.

Public Comments were received by Mrs Barbra Jacobson in relation to item 8, Education and Skills – Future Delivery of Services.  

None

The Family & Community Well-being Lead Commissioner introduced the report and updated the Committee of the commissioning intentions for the commissioning plan.

Following the consideration of the report the Committee:

Resolved:

That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee agree the outcomes and commissioning intentions detailed within the report and the development of the Commissioning Plan.

Votes were recorded as follows:

In favour: 9

Against: 0

The Schools, Skills and Learning Lead Commissioner introduced the report and highlighted the draft outline business case.  The Committee considered the proposals to deliver services in partnership with schools.

Councillor Thomas moved a motion that the following be added to recommendation 2, “and the in house option. “Councillor Hutton seconded the motion. 

Having been put to the vote the Committee voted unanimouslyin favour of the motion. 

Councillor Ammar Naqvi moved a motion that the weighting of 'Cost Saving' be reduced by 10% to become 30% and the weighting of 'Performance' be increased by 10% to become 30%, thus instilling parity between these two desired outcomes within the new Delivery Model, Councillor Hutton seconded the motion. 

Having been put to the vote the Committee voted:

In Favour: 4

Against: 5

The motion was therefore lost.

Having considered the report with the amendment to recommendation 2 the Committee:

Resolved:

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the content of the report and the draft outline business case.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee agree to further consultation and engagement on the three preferred options, as set out in paragraph 2.2, and the in house option.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note that the draft outline business case will be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee for approval of the consideration to set up a separate legal entity to deliver education and skills services.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note that a final outline business case setting out recommendations on the preferred option will be produced and further note that this will be reported to the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee on 12January 2015.

Votes were recorded as follows:

In Favour: 5

Against: 4

The Education and Skills Director introduced the report and the captured the positive Barnet Schools standards.  The Committee heard of the strategic direction of the school improvement programme within Barnet and the robust performance measures that are in place.   

Having considered the report the Committee:

Resolved:

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the information on the performance of schools and the attainment and progress of pupils.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee approve the commissioning priorities set out in section 1.2.5

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee approve the new approach to school improvement, in particular the commitment to move towards a schools-led model of school improvement, as a basis for consultation with schools.

Votes were recorded as follows:

In favour: 9

Against: 0

The Schools, Skills and Learning Lead Commissioner introduced the report which captured how the Borough intends to provide school places up to 2019/20.

Having consider the report the committee

Resolved:

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee approve the commissioning strategy for the delivery of new school places up to 2019/2020.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee recommend the investment requirement (set out in paragraph 5.2.2 and paragraph 5.2.3) to the Policy and Resources Committee for inclusion in the council’s medium term financial strategy.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee request that the Policy and Resources Committee note that additional capital funding may be required towards the end of the decade if central government investment is less than assumed and/or if pupil projections are revised.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee approve the commencement of consultation with headteachers, governors and other stakeholders on models for delivering additional places for children with special educational need.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee asks Barnet’s Schools Forum to develop criteria to guide local decision-making in relation to independent schools seeking to become voluntary aided.

Having been put to the vote the Committee voted:

In Favour: 5

Against: 0

Abstentions: 4

The Committee note the referred item from the Environment Committee following its meeting on 24 July. 

Having considered the report and the verbal update from the Family & Community Well-being Lead Commissioner the Committee:

Resolved:

·         That the Children’s Education, Libraries & Safeguarding Committee note the contents of the report.

·         That the Committee request that the appropriate officer contact Councillor Williams who submitted the Members Item to the Environment Committee on 24 July 2014.  

The Schools, Skills and Learning Lead Commissioner introduced the report which the committee considered.

Resolved:

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries & Safeguarding Committee approve the variation to the construction contract between the Council and Mace Ltd entered into on 20 December 2013 for the carrying out of 2013 Primary School Expansions Phase 2 works, from the previously approved value of £10,300,000 to £10,599,597.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries & Safeguarding Committee approve the variation to the consultancy contract between the Council and Mouchel Ltd, entered into on 13 February 2013, from £ 354,095 to £ 389,595.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries & Safeguarding Committee approve payment for the sum of £ 86,940 (plus VAT) to Mouchel Ltd for the value of the surveys procured on behalf of the Council in relation to the primary school expansions programme.

·         That the Children, Education, Libraries & Safeguarding Committee approve the variation to the consultancy contract between the Council and Mott Macdonald Ltd entered into on 7 January 2013 from £67,950 to £100,000.

Votes were recorded as follows:

In favour: 8

Against: 0

N.B – Councillor Thomas left the room during this item

The committee considered the report. 

RESOLVED –

That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the items included in the 2014/15 work programme.

There were no urgent items