Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P Mason.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

In order for an informed answer to be given, where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of a Cabinet Member three clear working days notice must be given and the question must be submitted in writing.  It is not required to give notice of the intention to make use of public speaking provision but, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours notice is encouraged.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2010 were approved as a correct record.

To consider the outcome of consultations on the Council’s proposed coordinated scheme and admission arrangements for community and controlled schools.

Consideration was given to the outcome of consultations held during the spring term on the Councils proposed coordinated scheme and admission arrangements for community and controlled schools; in accordance with statutory requirements these needed to be determined by 15 April 2010. 

Once determined the coordinated scheme would apply to applications for places in maintained schools and academies for the school year 2011-2012, and to ‘in year’ applications from September 2010.  For community and controlled schools admission arrangements the effective date would be from September 2011. 

It was noted that since the circulation of the report the proposals had been considered by the Admissions Forum at its meeting of 9 March, as stated in paragraphs 11.17 and 11.18 of the report.  In light of the Forum’s recommendations references to a tenancy agreement of 12 months; contained in Appendix 1 (paras 4.4, 7.2 and 8.1) and Appendix 2 (page 5 and 6), had been removed.  In addition, the published admission number of 17 contained in Appendix 4 in respect of Ash Grove Primary and Nursery School had been amended to 15: amended copies of these documents were circulated at the meeting.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report, that approval be given to:

1. the proposed coordinated admission scheme (Appendix 1 of the report as amended), which all local authorities are required by section 88M of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (SSFA) and the Co-ordination Regulations to have in place;

2. the proposed admission arrangements (Appendix 2 of the report as amended) for its community and controlled schools, which are the overall procedure, practices, criteria and supplementary information to be used in deciding on the allocation of school places; and

3. notification of the determined arrangements being given to all consultees within 14 days of determination.

To approve the first comprehensive People and Organisational Development Strategy for Cheshire East Council for 2010 -2015.

Consideration was given to the first comprehensive People and Organisational Development Strategy for Cheshire East Council for 2010 – 2015.  It set out how the Council would ensure it had a skilled, motivated and high performing workforce which in turn would support the Council in realising its vision and enable continued improvements and transformation.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

1. That the People and Organisational Development Strategy 2010 – 2015 be approved.

2. That Cabinet receive a bi annual progress report on the Strategy.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

PART 2 – MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS PRESENT

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To consider the report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

That Cabinet supports the decision of the Chief Executive to release the employees whose roles are listed on Appendix A, Section A of the report under the arrangements agreed in relation to voluntary severance provisions for employees in the Council.

That Cabinet notes those employees whose roles are listed on Appendix A, Section B of the report who may become compulsorily redundant and would receive payments under the arrangements agreed in relation to severance provisions for employees.