Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

The report provides details of proposed amendments to the Schools Forum Terms of Reference and membership updates.

Schools Forum is asked to approve the proposed amendments to the ToR document and discuss/clarify the specific item of membership/election process.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of proposed amendments to the Schools Forum Terms of Reference and membership updates.

It was reported that the Stockport Schools Forum Terms of Reference document to take effect from the 2015/16 academic year included proposed amendments for approval and/or to seek clarity on the membership and election process, voting procedures and Substitutes.

A vacancy had arisen for the fifth primary head teacher representative following the end of Helen Hilton’s term of office, and it was reported that Mark Quinn (St George’s CE Primary School) had replaced her with immediate effect. There were still four primary governor vacancies and an election process was due to conclude in October. Renee Dickens’ term of office was due to end in September and David Mellor (Abacus Childrens Services/Bright Beginnings Community Nursery) had been elected to replace Renee. Dawn Taylor had also been elected to Schools Forum following the retirement of Dawn Strachan. Norrie Williams had retired as deputy head teacher of Castle Hill School therefore John Law (Head teach at Castle Hill) would represent the special school sector at this meeting and would then discuss with the wider special heads consortia who would be the longer term representative on the Schools Forum and inform the LA accordingly.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The election process for primary head teachers was currently defined in a way that the representatives would change each year, which provided no continuity;

·         Having the same representative on Schools Forum could deny someone else the chance to fulfil the role, however it was felt that there was often nobody else willing to volunteer;

·         There should be a white voting card to indicate an abstention during voting;

·         It was suggested that any member not attending (or providing appropriate substitute representation) at two or more meetings within a twelve month period will be formally written to by the Chair of Schools Forum to seek explanation and their continued membership shall be subject to review with the Corporate Director for Services to People;

RESOLVED (1) – That the report be noted.

(2) That the proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference document be approved as outlined in the report.

(3) That the Primary and Secondary Head Consortium consider the wording at section 4.5 Defined Election Process and feeds back ahead of the next Schools Forum meeting.

(4) That an update be provided to members on this matter at the next meeting.