MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2002 COMMENCING AT 4.00 PM

Present :

LEA Members :

Mr C R Hancock (Vice Chairman in the Chair), Mrs B Clough, Mr A Mellor, Mr K Pearson, Mrs J L Wareham

RC Diocese of Portsmouth :

Mr P Birks

Learning Skills Council :

Mrs S Simpkins

Apologies :

                       LEA Member :                                               Mr J Howe

                       School Groups :                                             Mrs C Tarrant

                       C of E Diocese :                                            Mrs A Bradley, Canon D Isaac

                       Hants & IOW Learning Skills Council :          Mr P Higgins 

 9.        MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2002 be confirmed.

10.      CHANGE IN MEMBERSHIP

Members noted that Cllr Mrs B Clough replaced Cllr P Harris as a representative of the LEA on the Committee.

           RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted

11.      SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN, 2002/2003 - 2006/2007

In accordance with practice outlined in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, Members gave consideration to the Draft School Organisation Plan (SOP) for 2002/2003 - 2006/2007. The SOP, which was published on 12 April 2002, set out how the Authority expected to plan its provision of school places during that period and the factors to be taken into consideration to facilitate this. The SOP had been the subject of a two month period of consultation. It was noted that no objections had been received during this period.

The process of planning school places to achieve a balance between the number of places available and the pupils for whom they were required was explained. The Authority, regularly and effectively, undertook a monitoring programme of surplus places in all schools on the Island in order to determine the need for any appropriate action. It was reported that current forecasts could be effected by any major change in the provision of education for 14 - 19 year olds. The Local Learning and Skills Council assumed responsibility for post 16 school funding from April 2002 and had set up a Task Group, informed by research from KPMG to consider the main options. Mrs Simpkins, of the Learning Skills Council, circulated a copy of a report of the Chairman of the Isle of Wight Tertiary Strategy Group to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Learning and Skills Council which provided an update on the work undertaken to date.

RESOLVED :

THAT the draft School Organisation Plan 2002/2003 to 2006/2007 be approved.

12.      DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED :

THAT arrangements be made to hold a further meeting in September 2003.

CHAIRMAN