Issue - meetings

This report outlines proposed changes to the council procedure for appointing and removing Local Authority (LA) governors in accordance with the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2007 and 2012.   The proposal aims to streamline and expedite the process for appointing LA nominated school governors.

(i)         that the new procedure for appointment of local authority school governors, which is designed to meet the requirements of recent legislative changes, as set out in paragraphs 3.5 to 3.9 be approved;

(ii)        that the skills criteria set out in Appendix 1 be approved;

(iii)       that it be noted that for all governing bodies of maintained schools which have reconstituted under School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012 or the School Governance (Federations) (England) Regulations 2012, governors would be nominated, while in the interim period (until 1 September 2015) for non-reconstituted governing bodies, governors will be appointed;

(iv)       that diversity be added to the list of recommended skills, experience and attributes for nominated LA governors referred to in Appendix A.

The report from the Strategic Director, Children and Young People outlined proposed changes to the council procedure for appointing and removing Local Authority (LA) governors in accordance with the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2007 and 2012.   The proposal aimed to streamline and expedite the process for appointing LA nominated school governors. Councillor Moher drew attention to the requirement for appointments to be skills based and no longer nominated by political parties. References would be taken up.

Councillor Pavey (Deputy Leader) suggested that the proposals may not address the problem of the attracting the right people to stand for governor however he welcomed the diversity implications, the annual review and proposed that diversity be added to the list of skills, experience attributes for LA nominated governors.  The Cabinet noted that a tracker system would be in place to monitor the vacancy filling process.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the new procedure for appointment of local authority school governors, which was designed to meet the requirements of recent legislative changes, as set out in paragraphs 3.5 to 3.9 of the report from the Strategic Director, Children and Young People be approved;

(ii)        that the skills criteria set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

(iii)       that it be noted that for all governing bodies of maintained schools which have reconstituted under School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012 or the School Governance (Federations) (England) Regulations 2012, governors would be nominated, while in the interim period (until 1 September 2015) for non-reconstituted governing bodies, governors will be appointed;

(iv)       that diversity be added to the list of recommended skills, experience and attributes for nominated LA governors referred to in Appendix A.