Agenda item - Public Involvement

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Agenda item

Public Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:

(a)     Petitions: to receive any petitions received by the due date of Friday, 14th January 2022;

(b)     Written Questions: to receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon Tuesday, 25th January 2022;

(c)     Deputations: to receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on Tuesday, 25th January 2022.

Minutes:

(a)          Petitions

 

59.1    There were none

 

(b)       Written Questions

 

59.2    The Chair stated that two written questions had been received from members of the public, Kamila Stedman and Esther Garibay.  The Chair invited Kamila Stedman to present the first question.

 

59.3    Ms Steadman read out the following question:

 

This consultation has shown that families in Brighton and Hove will not let the smaller schools on the edges of the city take the hit for something that concerns the whole city. We think support from the LA could help these schools thrive alongside their larger counterparts. So how do you intend to improve working relationships between the schools across the area, fostering greater cooperation in tackling this issue of surplus spaces?

 

59.4    The Chair thanked Ms Stedman for her question.  The Chair replied:

 

It is evident that the issue of surplus places in our city’s primary schools has placed strain on our family of schools’ approach. The government’s ideological approach to parental preference is at odds with what we think we need to do in the city and whilst we know we are unlikely to achieve universal agreement we must look to build a stronger consensus across Headteachers, governors, political parties and residents. I think it is unlikely that people remain oblivious to the problem or the issues that have to be grappled with. This problem cannot be solved by money even if the council had any to direct at this issue. 

 

I hope that if the committee agrees with not taking forward any proposals to change Published Admission Numbers (PANs) in 2023 it will provide the platform to work together as it is being acknowledged in the responses received, that it is not the right thing to do at this time. 

 

Improving working relationships requires dialogue. We will bring Headteachers, Chairs of Governors and councillors together to talk more about these issues. We have heard the offer of responders to also contribute to the debate required with residents so that everyone understands the impact their actions have on others especially when they live in other areas of the city and we will consider how that can happen. 

 

We will continue the dialogue with the dioceses and the governing bodies of voluntary aided schools. 

 

We are working with schools to identify what can make them more resilient and what allows them to continue to provide a high standard of education. And we will share the learning with others.  However more time and more talking is not guaranteed to foster the cooperation needed and so it is important to be clear that where consensus cannot be reached and schools come under more financial pressure the council will need to act. 

 

59.5    The Chair asked Ms Stedman if she wished to ask a supplementary question.  Ms Stedman declined.

 

59.6    The Chair noted that Esther Garibay was not in attendance at the meeting and read out her question:

 

At the CYPS meeting earlier this month, members of this Committee discussed a worrying development in our city: the pandemic has served to further widen the divide between those who do well at school and those who don’t.  I welcome the Committee’s plan to address this through the Education Disadvantage Strategy. However, at the same time, you are discussing a proposal that will halve the maximum number of pupils at Carden Primary, which serves some of the most disadvantaged children in our city. Limiting our intake will not only reduce Carden's budget but diminish the richness of diversity in our school and the capacity of the parent community to fundraise for those most in need. For example, last year our PTA provided 20 laptops to enable students to continue learning during the lockdown. How do you plan to mitigate the impact on the most disadvantaged should this PAN reduction go ahead? 

 

59.7    The Chair thanked Ms Garibay for her question.  The Chair replied:

 

The council has heard clearly from responders the concerns about the proposals that were consulted upon in the autumn. The council is not recommending the PAN at Carden or any other school should be reduced. If the committee agree to this later in this meeting then you can be assured that the school will be able to continue to support all its children in the way that we all would want and ensure the school’s rich diversity continues. 

 

However, on the wider point, the council has developed an Education Disadvantaged Strategy that was shared with Children and Young People Committee on 10th January 2022.  It will also be developing a broader disadvantaged strategy in the coming year.

 

(c)       Deputations

 

59.8    There were none.

 


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