AGENDA ITEM 14
BOROUGH OF POOLE
COUNCIL
1 MARCH 2011
REVIEW OF CATCHMENT AREAS: REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES
1.PURPOSE
1.1To consider the recommendation from Cabinet.
2.DECISION REQUIRED
2.1That, mindful of the needs to avoid the risk of wasting public money on conducting an exercise that may not be required, any additional work on the Catchment Area Review is undertaken only when Government Policy is finalised.
3.DISCUSSIONS/OPTIONS
3.1Cabinet, at its Meeting on 8 February 2011, considered the Report of the Strategic Director (Children’s Services), which outlined the options and background relating to a review of School Catchment Areas in the Borough. The Report was circulated to all Members and can be viewed at
3.2Cabinet concurred with my proposal to undertake further work on a Catchment Area Review only when Government Policy is finalised.
3.3I explained that, since the Council resolution in May 2010, authorising a Review of School Catchment Areas, there had been significant changes in policy direction and legislation in respect of Children’s Services, as the Coalition Government set out its agenda for Education and the role the Local Authority would play in implementing a policy at local level.
3.4The Government had signalled its intention to review the current Admissions Code of Practice, which currently set out the arrangements for Pupil Admissions to Schools, which the Local Authority applied, taking into account catchment areas. The Government had intimated that there were likely to be changes and the new statutory Code had not yet been published. I proposed, and Cabinet concurred, that, with this degree of uncertainty, to embark on any public consultation to bring about change in 2013 to coincide with the introduction of Age of Transfer, in the absence of new policy, would be unwise.
3.5I urge Council to accept the recommendation.
Councillor Mrs Janet Walton
Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services