Agenda item

44.1 Ella Lewis (representative of the petitioners) addressed the County Council prior to the debate. The Council agreed to vary procedure to enable all councillors who wished to speak to do so.

44.2 The following motion was moved by Councillor Standley and seconded:

That the Council, whilst noting the petitioner’s comments:

1.    Recognises the need for action to reduce avoidable absence from schools in East Sussex;

2.    Agrees that the Get A Grip campaign successfully highlighted the concerns regarding attendance; and

3.    Agrees that the Council continue to work with teachers and parents to improve attendance as part of the policies to improve educational attainment in all schools across the County.

44.2     The following amendment was moved by Councillor Lambert and seconded:

Delete Councillor Standley’s motion and replace it with:

Responsible parents are well aware of the need to ensure maximum school attendance by their children.  We all want the best results from education for our children – they are our future. 

Parents acknowledge the concerns of the County Council in wishing to highlight the importance of regular school attendance.  However, the Get a Grip campaign has been detrimental in achieving this.  Responsible parents feel under attack, and it is unlikely that those less committed to their children’s education will be motivated by the campaign which is viewed by many people as patronising and aggressive in tone.

This Council resolves to request the Executive to:

·         pause the campaign

·         acknowledge the concerns of large numbers of parents about the nature of the communications they have received from the Council

·         establish a forum with volunteer parents and other appropriate stakeholders to find a more constructive way on engaging with this issue to enable the campaign to move forward on a constructive and positive basis that engages and motivates, rather than alienates, parents.

35.5 The following amendment to Councillor Lambert’s amendment was moved by Councillor Stephen Shing and seconded. The amendment was LOST:

Insert the following point at the end of Councillor Lambert’s amendment:

·         Council should use its resources to work with the 5% of children missing school to help those vulnerable children to attend school

35.6 A recorded vote on Councillor Lambert’s amendment was requested and taken. The amendment was LOST, the votes being cast as follows:

FOR THE AMENDMENT

Councillors Philip Daniel, Field, Lambert, O’Keeffe, Osborne, Rodohan, Daniel Shing, Stephen Shing, Shuttleworth, Swansborough, Tutt, Ungar and Wallis

 AGAINST THE AMENDMENT

Barnes, Beaver, Belsey, Bennett, Bentley, Boorman, Bowdler, Charles Clark, Martin Clarke, Davies, Chris Dowling, Claire Dowling, Earl, Elford, Elkin, Enever, Ensor, Fox, Galley, Glazier, Liddiard, Loe, Maynard, Pragnell, Sheppard, Simmons, Smith, Standley, Stogdon, Taylor, Tidy, and Whetstone.

.

ABSTENTIONS

Councillors Godfrey Daniel, Scott and Webb

35.8 A recorded vote was requested on the motion moved by Councillor Standley as follows:

That the Council, whilst noting the petitioner’s comments:

1.    Recognises the need for action to reduce avoidable absence from schools in East Sussex;

2.    Agrees that the Get A Grip campaign successfully highlighted the concerns re attendance; and

3.    Agrees that the Council continue to work with teachers and parents to improve attendance as part of the policies to improve educational attainment in all schools across the County.

The motion was moved and CARRIED with the votes being cast as follows:

FOR THE MOTION

Barnes, Beaver, Belsey, Bennett, Bentley, Boorman, Bowdler, Charles Clark, Martin Clarke, Davies, Chris Dowling, Claire Dowling, Earl, Elford, Elkin, Enever, Ensor, Fox, Galley, Glazier, Liddiard, Loe, Maynard, Pragnell, Sheppard, Simmons, Smith, Standley, Stogdon, Taylor, Tidy, and Whetstone.

 AGAINST THE MOTION

Councillors Philip Daniel, Field, Lambert, Osborne, Rodohan, Daniel Shing, Stephen Shing, Shuttleworth, Swansborough, Tutt, Ungar and Wallis

.

ABSTENTIONS

Councillors Godfrey Daniel, O’Keeffe, Scott and Webb