A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Council and councillors

Agenda item

OUTCOME OF REVIEW OF CONSTITUTION AND WORKING PRACTICES: DECISION TO BE MADE

(10 MINUTES)

Minutes:

4.1      Ms Curtis circulated a paper summarising responses received from members of the Schools’ Forum who had completed the Schools forum self-assessment toolkit.  Six responses had been received and Ms Curtis highlighted a selection of the points made. Following discussion it was AGREED to start to incorporate the following into the working practices of the Forum:

 

ACTIONS:

·         To hold an annual business set up meeting to plan and inform the operation of the Schools’ Forum over the course of the year.  The Chair, Head of Service Learning & Skills and the Finance Manager to attend this meeting. Head of Learning and Skills to arrange First meeting to be set up in the near future.

·         The Head of Service Learning & Skills, to compile an Induction Pack for new members of the Forum.  This will form part of an induction process where new members will be offered the opportunity to have an introductory briefing about the working of the Forum by an existing member of the Forum, and officers of the Council. Members are requested to send to the Head of Service (gcurtis@rutland.gov.uk) any suggestions or comments they may have on what could be included in the induction pack. 

·         The Head of Service Learning & Skills to draw up an executive report summary template to be used as the title page for any papers presented to the Forum. This will specify if the paper is requiring a Decision to be made (in which case voting eligibility will be specified), for Consideration, for Discussion, for Noting, for Information. Items on the Agenda will in future also be marked up in this way.

·         Following discussion about the sectors members are representing, some amendment to the name plates is required and also to include additional information identifying members, non-voting members, observers.

·         The Head of Service Learning & Skills to clarify from the good practice guide, the procedure to be followed where there is a tie in voting and to report back to the next meeting.

·          Where possible to avoid the over- use of acronyms within documents, but if used to provide a definition.

·         The minutes to include a link to the Schools’ Forum pages on the Council website.

 

4.2      It was confirmed that members’ current terms of office had been taken as starting from when the Constitution was last reviewed in the autumn 2015.

 

4.3      During discussion about the current vacancy on the Forum the following was noted:

 

·         It was stressed that members must be mindful they are representing their sector and not their own institutions.

·         The current ratio between the number of primary school pupils and secondary school pupils is near to 50:50.

·         The Forum must ensure it has a balanced representation covering all primary, secondary, post 16 and early year’s provision.

·         It was commented that A-level providers are not represented on the Forum.

·         Following a vote – 3 in favour, 1 abstention – it was AGREED to approach the post 16 sector for nominations to fill this vacancy. The Chair of Schools Forum to ACTION this before the next meeting of the Forum.

 

4.4      Following a discussion regarding attendance it was AGREED that where a member fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings, steps will be taken to ascertain if they will attend future meetings. If necessary, a process to identify a replacement member from the relevant sector will be initiated.  Members were reminded they do have the opportunity for a substitute to attend in their place.  ACTION Clerk to Schools Forum to identify where member(s) have not attended 3 consecutive meetings and inform Chair of Schools Forum