Issue - meetings

10.1     The Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services which sought approval for East Sussex County Council to end its role as co-sponsor for the Hastings Academy Trust. A statement from the University of Brighton, the principle sponsor, was tabled at the meeting.

DECISION

10.2     RESOLVED to agree that the Local Authority (LA) ends its role as co-sponsor for the Hastings Academy Trust.

Reasons

10.3     The policy context has changed significantly since East Sussex County Council took the decision to act as a co-sponsor for the Hastings Academy Trust. Acting as co-sponsor creates confusion in terms of accountability and may place the LA in the position of raising concerns with the Regional School Commissioner about an academy school where it acts as co-sponsor. Furthermore acting as co-sponsor for some academies and not others creates an unequitable relationship between the LA and its academy schools.

6.1 The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services which sought approval for East Sussex County Council to withdraw from the sponsorship of Hastings Academy Trust.

DECISION

6.2       RESOLVED to defer consideration of the proposal to a future Lead Member meeting.

Reason

6.3       This will allow for local Members to be briefed on the proposal before a decision is made.