Decision details

In introducing this report Councillor Colin Hayfield (Portfolio Holder for Education and Learning) drew Cabinet’s attention to paragraph 1.4 (Page 59) which states that no changes have been proposed for any school where the local authority is the admission authority.

Councillor Richard Chattaway wondered if it might have been useful for the Overview and Scrutiny committee to have reviewed the report. He added that he would be happy for it to be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Heather Timms (Portfolio Holder for Environment and Heritage & Culture) observed that the report made little reference to environmental implications adding that there would be environmental advantages in aligning home to school transport and admissions.

Regarding the complexity of the arrangements it was agreed that for next year officers be asked to produce a version that could be easily understood by parents and carers.

In closing Councillor Hayfield suggested that if the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was minded to review any aspect of the report it should focus on one element such as the relationship between admissions and home to school transport.

Resolved:

That Cabinet

1)       approves the Admission Arrangements and Co-ordinated Scheme for school admissions during the 2021/2022 Academic year as outlined in the appendices to the published report.

2)       authorises the Strategic Director for Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Education and Learning to approve Admission Arrangements and the Co-ordinated Scheme in future years, unless those arrangements or schemes are subject to consultation as outlined in Section 1 of the published report.