Lead Member – Councillor David Minnery – Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services

Contact: Karen Bradshaw              Tel: 01743 254201

RESOLVED:

i)             That the development of the Shropshire Education Trust to sit outside of the Local Authority, be supported;

ii)            That Members and Trustees of the Shropshire Education Trust will include representation from the LA (capped at 19.99% under current legislation) and, if church schools are involved in the Shropshire Education Trust, representation from the Diocese

iii)           That the appointment of Members and Officers of the Shropshire Education Trust be approved in order to progress matters

iv)           That the initial start-up costs of the Shropshire Education Trust of up to £65,000 be met if the costs cannot be recovered in the event that the Trust is not viable

v)            That it be noted that further analysis in respect of the full extent of set up costs is underway, and that a follow up paper will be brought before Cabinet should additional set up costs be required in order to proceed to a proposal to the Regional Schools Commissioner.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People presented the report from the Director of Children’s Services outlining the initial progress in exploring the appetite for a school led Multi Academy Trust (“MAT”) for Shropshire.  He stated that a final decision would need to be made whether or not to proceed by 9 June 2017 based on the number of schools expressing an interest in joining the Shropshire Education Trust.  He added that no additional financial costs to the Council were anticipated as the Department of Education grant [£25,000 to each school converting to an academy] could be used to meet the costs associated with conversion and the establishment of the Shropshire Education Trust.

A Member commented that there was no proof that academies provided better education than Local Authority controlled schools but considered that, given the current Government’s policy, the proposal was a step in the right direction.  Another Member commented that schools were being forced along the Academy route.  However, approval to establish a MAT for Shropshire was supported by the majority.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the development of the Shropshire Education Trust to sit outside of the Local Authority, be supported;

ii)            That Members and Trustees of the Shropshire Education Trust will include representation from the LA (capped at 19.99% under current legislation) and, if church schools are involved in the Shropshire Education Trust, representation from the Diocese

iii)           That the appointment of Members and Officers of the Shropshire Education Trust be approved in order to progress matters

iv)           That the initial start-up costs of the Shropshire Education Trust of up to £65,000 be met if the costs cannot be recovered in the event that the Trust is not viable

v)            That it be noted that further analysis in respect of the full extent of set up costs is underway, and that a follow up paper will be brought before Cabinet should additional set up costs be required in order to proceed to a proposal to the Regional Schools Commissioner.