Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Young People's Service on the outcomes of the statutory notice representations period for the proposed closure of King Edward VII School and the expansion of John Ferneley College, Melton Mowbray.  The Cabinet also considered a copy of a supplementary report of the Director advising of progress on the establishment of the joint management and governance arrangements of the new Melton Post-16 Centre and proposals for the future of the Hub.  Copies of the reports, marked 'B' and 'BB' respectively, are filed with these minutes.

The Chairman reported that Mr. P. Roffey, CC (County Councillor for the Melton South Electoral Division), who was unable to attend the meeting, had provided him with a note of his concerns that the option of Brooksby Melton College hosting the Post-16 arrangements had not been fully explored within the report.  Mr Roffey had requested his concerns to be reported at the meeting and recorded in the minutes.  The Chairman informed the Cabinet that Mr Roffey rightly pointed out that, nationally, there were a number of Colleges that combined the provision of sixth form and adult education within one governance structure.  Brooksby Melton College had been fully involved in the reorganisation of education in Melton Mowbray and had never formally proposed the solution suggested by Mr, Roffey.  The Cabinet had previously agreed that the Post-16 Centre would be governed by the schools in the area, in partnership with Brooksby Melton College and the local area special school, Birchwood.  The Barkestone Trust, which was linked to Belvoir High School, had supported this approach and had expressed interest in hosting the management of the Post-16 Centre.

Mr. Ould, CC and Mr. White, CC spoke in favour of the recommendations in papers 'B' and 'BB'.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the objections received to the statutory notice from the governing bodies of King Edward VII School and John Ferneley College, Melton Mowbray having been considered, be noted;

(b)       That the following proposals under paragraph 8 of Schedule 2 to the Education and Inspection Act 2006 be approved:

(i)         The closure of King Edward VII School with effect from 31 August 2011; and

(ii)        The expansion of John Ferneley College to a capacity of 1100 pupils and an admission number of 220 with effect from 1 September 2010;

(c)        That the progress to date on the establishment of the joint management and governance arrangements of the new Melton Post-16 Centre and proposals for the Hub, as detailed in the supplementary report, be noted;

(d)       That the further action proposed in respect of the establishment of joint collaborative arrangements from 1 September 2011 (as set out in the supplementary report) be agreed.

(KEY DECISION)

REASON FOR DECISION:

The Cabinet approved the publication of a statutory notice proposing the closure of King Edward VII School and the expansion of John Ferneley College on 9 March 2010.  Objections received since this date have been considered.

The programme of re-organisation for schools in Melton and the Vale of Belvoir represents a long-term commitment by the County Council to transform the schools and to raise standards for the pupils. It provides a long-term, sustainable solution for the Melton and Vale of Belvoir Partnership, clearly addressing the issues of removing surplus places.

The establishment of a jointly managed Post-16 Centre is in keeping with the decision of the Cabinet in March 2007 and will help ensure that the three secondary schools in the Partnership and other key education partners are fully involved in post-16 provision. Early establishment of these joint arrangements provides clarity and certainty for staff and students.

Establishing the Hub as a company limited by guarantee which may obtain charitable status will provide a more secure basis for providing services to young people and the wider community in Melton Mowbray.