Agenda item
THE Partnership Business Case
- Meeting of Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee, Tuesday, 1st November, 2016 6.30 p.m. (Item 7.3)
- View the background to item 7.3
Minutes:
The Sub Committee considered the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership (THEP) Business Case which was presented by Christine McInness, Kathryn Smith and Michael Keating of THEP Board.
Christine McInness informed the Sub Committee that it is being proposed that THEP present 6 monthly reports of activity and impact to a sub-group of the Children’s Partnership, Cabinet and Overview & Scrutiny. She also stated that given recent Government announcements Re-Academies there is a strong rationale for THEP and its vision and values.
Kathryn Smith presented the following information relating to THEP: -
· Vision and Values;
· Membership
o 6 Nursery Schools
o 61 Primary Schools (69 in total)
o 14 Secondary Schools
o 6 Special Schools/PRU
· Associate Members
o Aldgate & All Hallows Foundation
o Bow Arts Trust
o Queen Mary University of London Borough of Tower Hamlets Spitalfields Small Business Association
o Spitalfields Music
o Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership
o Tower Hamlets Together
o Toynbee Hall
o Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets
· Staffing
o Executive Director
o Primary Head consultant
o Consultants as and when required
· Governance
o Interim Board
o Interim Advisory Council
o Management Teams
o Governor Forum
· Political Climate
· Partnership Working in TH’s Schools
· New Funding Methodologies
· The Logo
· School Improvement/Effectiveness/Development/Transformation
· Outcomes driven
Members made the following comments regarding the information presented:
· Is the Tower Hamlets College a member?
· What’s the vision for the Board for the future?
· The Governance Forum referred to in the presentation, is there going to be a voice for parents and students?
· Is there a case for the constitution of a Children’s Scrutiny Panel, would it take-away from the merits of the Governance Forum in the interest of the young people?
· The growth of the THEP is welcome and the £300k seems to have been well spent, but how is it being monitored? Is there a report to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee providing details of the spend?
· What happens next to raise the aspirations?
· There is a role for businesses in the THEP, other than the ones already involved as Associate Members, e.g. Barclays and HSBC, where a different approach can be taken to engage with these organisations to support employment in TH etc.
· Are any comparisons being looked at with other Boroughs?
· Is any thought being given to Post 16-18 year old opportunities?
Councillor John Pierce informed the Sub Committee that there is a scrutiny function opportunity for a Children’s Scrutiny Panel, but it depends on the number of meetings, the capacity and resources available. But the discussion is worth having and looking into the progression of it.
Kathryn Smith informed the Sub Committee that Tower Hamlets College were not members of THEP yet, but there was an enormous piece of work to be done to look at the size of the Board and keep in mind the wide range of skills and expertise both locally and internationally that is available.
Zena Cooke stated that in relation to the reporting mechanism and holding to account that the decision making relating to Grants is currently with the Commissioners and a regular schedule is submitted to Cabinet. But there is an opportunity for Pre-Scrutiny to be looked at and to work with scrutiny officers to schedule that in.
Michael Keating commented that engaging with elected members for feedback and as School Governors would be helpful to ensure that THEP get it right and take everything into account.
The Chair enquired about the funding and the forecast for 2019/20 to be self-funding and how the increase in subscription affects the level of income referred to and with regard to accountability the Sub Committee should be monitoring the activity, so when will reports be presented to the Sub Committee.
Kathryn Smith informed the Sub Committee that:
· The self-funding is all about building capacity and delivery of the vision and values of THEP.
· THEP are building training services and would be selling the services which would generate income, but also increasing the income streams through conferences and improving the function of THEP as well.
· There are lots to be developed and there is currently an exercise in progress where information is being gathered and a report would be submitted in 6 months which would have clear details about the work at hand and how it can be achieved.
· Organisations like Barclays and the Queen Mary University of London are organisations that THEP are keen to work with and get on board and that is another area that is also being looked at currently.
· Other London Boroughs and other authorities across the country are being looked at in terms of how things are done, the make-up of the Board and generating income etc. To date information has been gathered from Lambeth Council, Camden Council and Birmingham City Council.
The Sub Committee agreed to note the report and the presentation and support the recommendations.
Supporting documents:
- 6.3 Tower Hamlets Education Partnership business case cleared by F&L 241016, item 7.3 PDF 117 KB
- 6.3.1 Appendix A - THE Partnership Draft Business Plan cleared by F&L 241016, item 7.3 PDF 117 KB
- 6.3.2 Appendix B THEP business plan cleared by F&L 241016, item 7.3 PDF 63 KB