Issue - meetings

This report sets out proposals to consult on amendments to the oversubscription criteria for Brent primary community schools. 

i) that the statutory consultation be carried out on the proposed changes to Community Schools Oversubscription Criteria to take effect from September 2016/17.

ii) that it be noted that the results of the consultation will be reported back to the Cabinet for final decision on the proposals in March 2015.

Councillor Moher (Lead Member Children and Young People) introduced a report from the Strategic Director of Children and Young People which sought the Cabinet’s agreement to consult on proposed amendments to the oversubscription criteria for Brent Primary Community schools for the 2016/17 admissions round. It was intended that the results of the consultation would be reported back to Cabinet in March 2015 for a final decision. Councillor Moher outlined the proposed changes to the oversubscription criteria which included the creation of an additional criterion to prioritise children with a sibling connection to the school who lived within the catchment area over those with a sibling connection who lived outside of the school’s catchment area; a move straight line measurement of distance between home address and the school; and a clarification of the wording of the social medical criterion. The council was required to consult widely on any proposed changes to the admission arrangements for a minimum period of eight weeks. As part of the consultation, the proposed changes would be published to the internet, in the local press, circulated to schools, places of worship, nurseries and children’s centres and consultation meetings would be held locally for parents to attend.

The Chair invited comments from the audience. Councillor Filson raised a concern regarding the change to the method for measuring distance between an applicant’s home address and the school. Mr Lorber questioned how families housed in illegal developments were dealt with. The Leader reminded the meeting that the proposed changes remained under review and the results of the consultation would be reported to the Cabinet for final decision in March 2015.

RESOLVED:

    (i)        that the statutory consultation be carried out on the proposed changes to Community Schools Oversubscription Criteria to take effect from September 2016/17.

   (ii)        that it be noted that the results of the consultation would be reported back to the Cabinet for final decision on the proposals in March 2015.