Agenda item

This council is concerned that the proposed closure of Queensway School in Yeadon will only partially address the challenge of low pupil numbers in Aireborough and that the current problem is an Aireborough wide issue, that should be dealt with holistically. Closure of Queensway would seriously impact on SEND pupils and disrupt the education and mental health of pupils. This will have an additional impact on the JCC and future provision for the whole of Aireborough.

 

Council calls on officers to halt the process of Queensway’s closure and look for a full solution for Aireborough instead.

 

It was moved by Councillor Downes, seconded by Councillor Campbell that this council is concerned that the proposed closure of Queensway School in Yeadon will only partially address the challenge of low pupil numbers in Aireborough and that the current problem is an Aireborough wide issue, that should be dealt with holistically. Closure of Queensway would seriously impact on SEND pupils and disrupt the education and mental health of pupils. This will have an additional impact on the JCC and future provision for the whole of Aireborough.

 

Council calls on officers to halt the process of Queensway’s closure and look for a full solution for Aireborough instead.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Wadsworth, seconded by Councillor Alderson

 

After “disrupt the education and mental health of pupils”, insert: “including pupils and schools in Guiseley and Rawdon Ward.”

 

After “Aireborough instead”, insert: “which, following comprehensive consultation, can command the confidence and support of all affected local schools, families, and councillors of the wards affected.”

 

Motion would read:

 

This Council is concerned that the proposed closure of Queensway School in Yeadon will only partially address the challenge of low pupil numbers in Aireborough and that the current problem is an Aireborough wide issue, that should be dealt with holistically. Closure of Queensway would seriously impact on SEND pupils and disrupt the education and mental health of pupils including pupils and schools in Guiseley and Rawdon Ward. This will have an additional impact on the JCC and future provision for the whole of Aireborough.

 

Council calls on officers to halt the process of Queensway’s closure and look for a full solution for Aireborough instead which, following comprehensive consultation, can command the confidence and support of all affected local schools, families, and councillors of the wards affected.

 

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Pryor, seconded by Councillor Flint

 

Remove all after “This Council” and replace with:

 

“is concerned at the systematic removal of both powers and funding from Local Authorities related to education provision and the subsequent impact of those removals on local people in situations such as Queensway School in Yeadon.

 

Council is frustrated at the Governments’ removing of powers from councils to control admission numbers across the city, meaning that when populations fall, options are extremely limited.

 

Council acknowledges the current 22% surplus of school places in the Aireborough area, moving to a 36% surplus by 2026, and understands that schools cannot operate without the funding that is attached to pupil numbers coming in, particularly given the significant cuts to education over the past 12 years.

 

Council further acknowledges that the Governing bodies of the schools in the Aireborough area each independently control their own admission numbers and have indicated that they are not willing to reduce their admission numbers.

 

While it is important to note that no decision has been made on the future of Queensway School and we cannot pre-empt that decision, Council would continue to support children, families, teachers and school staff throughout any statutory processes that may be followed.

 

Council remains dismayed at the continued failure of the Conservative Government to adequately fund education and in particular the failure to provide suitable funding for SEND provision.

 

Council calls on Government to reverse years of real terms underinvestment in education, return education powers to local authorities and give schools and pupils the guarantee of proper funding to ensure every child gets the education they deserve.”

 

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Wadsworth was declared lost the amendment in the name of Councillor Pryor was carried and upon being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED – That this Council is concerned at the systematic removal of both powers and funding from Local Authorities related to education provision and the subsequent impact of those removals on local people in situations such as Queensway School in Yeadon.

 

Council is frustrated at the Governments’ removing of powers from councils to control admission numbers across the city, meaning that when populations fall, options are extremely limited.

 

Council acknowledges the current 22% surplus of school places in the Aireborough area, moving to a 36% surplus by 2026, and understands that schools cannot operate without the funding that is attached to pupil numbers coming in, particularly given the significant cuts to education over the past 12 years.

 

Council further acknowledges that the Governing bodies of the schools in the Aireborough area each independently control their own admission numbers and have indicated that they are not willing to reduce their admission numbers.

 

While it is important to note that no decision has been made on the future of Queensway School and we cannot pre-empt that decision, Council would continue to support children, families, teachers and school staff throughout any statutory processes that may be followed.

 

Council remains dismayed at the continued failure of the Conservative Government to adequately fund education and in particular the failure to provide suitable funding for SEND provision.

 

Council calls on Government to reverse years of real terms underinvestment in education, return education powers to local authorities and give schools and pupils the guarantee of proper funding to ensure every child gets the education they deserve.

 

On the requisition of Councillor Wadsworth and Councillor Alderson the voting on the amendment in the name of Councillor Wadsworth and the second amendment in the name of Councillor Pryor was recorded as follows;

 

Amendment in the name of Councillor Wadsworth

 

YES – 30

 

Alderson, B Anderson, C Anderson, Buckley, Amanda Carter, Andrew Carter, Cohen, Firth, Flynn, Foster, Harrington, Richards, Robinson, D Seary, S Seary, Smith, Stephenson,  Wadsworth, Kidger, Hutchison, Newton, Senior, Downes, Golton, Campbell, Chapman, Hart-Brooke, Blackburn, Forsaith and Dixon.

 

NO – 55

 

Akhtar, Almass, Arif, Bithell, Bowden, Bromley, Brooks, Burke, Carlill, Coupar, Dowson, Dye, Farley, Flint, France-Mir, Garthwaite, Garvani, Gibson, Grahame, Gruen, Hamilton, Harland, Hayden, Heselwood, A Hussain, Z Hussain, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jenkins, Khan, Lennox, Lewis, Maloney, Marshall-Katung, Martin, McKenna, Midgley, Mulherin, Pryor, Rafique, Ragan, Renshaw, Ritchie, Scopes, Sewards, Shahzad, Sharpe, Smart, Thomson, Truswell, Tudor, Venner, Walshaw, Wilson and Wray.

 

ABSTAIN – 1

 

Carlisle

 

Second amendment in the name of Councillor Pryor

 

YES – 55

 

Akhtar, Almass, Arif, Bithell, Bowden, Bromley, Brooks, Burke, Carlill, Coupar, Dowson, Dye, Farley, Flint, France-Mir, Garthwaite, Garvani, Gibson, Grahame, Gruen, Hamilton, Harland, Hayden, Heselwood, A Hussain, Z Hussain, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jenkins, Khan, Lennox, Lewis, Maloney, Marshall-Katung, Martin, McKenna, Midgley, Mulherin, Pryor, Rafique, Ragan, Renshaw, Ritchie, Scopes, Sewards, Shahzad, Sharpe, Smart, Thomson, Truswell, Tudor, Venner, Walshaw, Wilson and Wray.

 

NO – 27

 

Alderson, B Anderson, C Anderson, Buckley, Amanda Carter, Andrew Carter, Cohen, Firth, Flynn, Foster, Harrington, Richards, Robinson, D Seary, S Seary, Smith, Stephenson, Wadsworth, Kidger, Newton, Downes, Golton, Campbell, Chapman, Hart-Brooke, Blackburn and Dixon.

 

ABSTAIN – 4

 

Carlisle, Forsaith, Hutchison and Senior