Agenda item

(To receive a report from Matthew Clayton, Admissions and Education Provision Manager, which asks the Committee to consider proposals to change the age range at Market Deeping Community Primary School from 3 to 11 to 4 to 11, which is due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on 21 June 2019.  Martin Smith, Interim Assistant Director of Education will be in attendance for this item)

Martin Smith, Interim Assistant Director of Education presented a report which asked the Committee to consider proposals to change the age range at Market Deeping Community Primary School from 3 to 11 to 4 to 11 which was due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on 21 June 2019.  It was noted that the views of the Committee would be reported as part of the consideration of the item.

Attached at Appendix 1 was a copy of the full Executive Councillor report and associated appendices for the Committee to consider.

It was reported that the Council had a statutory duty to maintain a sufficient number of early year's places in Lincolnshire and also sufficient school places to accommodate all pupils of statutory school age who live in Lincolnshire.

The Committee was advised that the proposal was to permanently change the age range at Market Deeping Community Primary School from 3 to 11 to 4 to 11.

In accordance with statutory guidelines on 23 January 2019 a four week period of consultation had commenced, which had closed on 20 February 2019.  A summary of the written responses were attached in Appendix A to the Executive Councillor report.

Following the period of consultation a Statutory Notice was published on 29 March 2019, which initiated a four week Representation Period up to 26 April 2019 when further written objections and comments were able to be submitted.   The Committee was advised that the process was now entering the final stage when the Local Authority, as decision maker must take the decision within 2 months from the end of the Representation Period (by 26 June 2019).

In conclusion, it was reported that the Local Authority believed that the proposal was in the best interests of local children and local parents as well as educational provision in the area; and that it supported the Council's aim of ensuring that as many children as possible reached their full potential.  It also enabled the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duty of ensuring there were sufficient places to accommodate all pupils of statutory age in Lincolnshire.

During consideration of the proposal, the Committee raised the following comments:-

·         Links between School and Third Party Early Years Provider – The Committee was advised that there were good relationships between the school and Madcaps, the third party provider.  It was highlighted that as a third party provider, Madcaps had its own management arrangements, but it worked well with the school's governing body.  It was highlighted further that the school and Madcaps were reluctant to create a competitive arrangement, which could lead to age three provision not being sustainable in either cases;

·         Funding Implications – It was reported that there were no funding implications arising from the change of age range at the school.  The Committee was advised that it was understood that the funding position of Madcaps was strong.  It was noted that if there was a failure by Madcaps on the basis of funding, contingency arrangements would be put in place, as they would be in the case of a failure by any other early years provider;

·         Requirement for a Decision – The Committee was advised that a decision was required on the school age range, as a previous decision on the temporary change to the age range at the school could only be effective for a period of two years and that this temporary period was due to expire by September 2019; and

·         Initial Response to the Plans – The Committee noted that there had been a positive response to the plans when they had been proposed.  It was noted further that the positive view had continued.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Committee supported the recommendation to the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services as set out in the report.

2.    That the following comments be passed to the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Service in relation to this item:-

·         Links Between School and Third Party Early Years Provider – There were good relationships between the school and Madcaps, the third party provider.  As a third party provider, Madcaps had its own management arrangements, but it worked well with the school's governing body.  Both the school and Madcaps were reluctant to create a competitive arrangement, which could lead to age three provision not being sustainable in either case; 

·         Funding Implications - There were no funding implications arising from the change of age range at the school.  It was understood that the funding position of Madcaps was strong.  If there was a failure by Madcaps on the basis of funding, contingency arrangements would be put in place, as they would be in the case of a failure by any other early years provider;  

·         Requirement for a Decision - A decision was required on the school age range, as a previous decision on the temporary change to the age range at the school could only be effective for a period of two years and this temporary period was due to expire by September 2019; and

·         Initial Response to the Plans – There had been a positive response to the plans when they had initially been proposed.  This positive view had continued.