17 August 2009

Borough seeks to overturn schools ruling

Kingston RLBC is seeking to overturn the Greenwich Judgenment which currently prohibits councils from turning away school children who live outside the authorities boundary.

The Borough has made the proposal to the Local Government Association as part of a submission under the Sustainable Communities Act and could significantly change national law on school admissions policy. 

The Greenwich Judgement, a 1989 ruling from the House of Lords, prevents council-run schools from denying places to children solely because they are from other boroughs.

Kingston has an influx of children from outside the borough trying to get into its schools - up to a third of intake at the most popular schools comes from outside the borough.

Kingston was one of 85 local authorities who signed up to use the Sutainable Communities Act’s powers last year and has since been accepting ideas from residents, charities and community groups both online and from public meetings.

Leader of Kingston, Derek Osbourne said: 'Central government has a strangle-hold over the Council’s ability to guarantee school places for children who live in the borough. 

'Whilst I am worried that the complexity of the submission’s process will filter out the most important, radical suggestions – such as the overhaul of the Greenwich Judgement – the Sustainable Community Act is too good an opportunity to miss for bringing local concerns to national attention.'
 
The Council's cabinet agreed on three proposals to go forward to the LGA:

* That the Government overturn the Greenwich Judgement, thus allowing 'local school places for local children'.

* That the Royal Borough of Kingston should be able to keep a proportion of the business rates collected which would be ring-fenced for investment in programmes that contributed to local economic and social sustainability.

* That the Government introduce additional licensing conditions for puppy vendors which will enable Local Authorities to enforce a ban on dogs imported from puppy farms and which will improve the welfare standards in pet shops.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Solicitor/ Barrister / Chartered Legal Executive Commercial & Contracts (x2)

Warwickshire County Council
£50,856 to £57,083 per annum
Warwickshire Legal Services (WLS) are looking for two qualified lawyers to join their award-winning, motivated, and nationally recognised legal team. Warwick
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Head of Finance and Deputy s151 Officer

Conwy County Borough Council
£77,153 - £88,545
We are looking for an experienced and strategic financial leader who can operate confidently in a complex, political and fast-changing environment. Colwyn Bay, Conwy
Recuriter: Conwy County Borough Council

ICT Engineer Digital Squad

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Microsoft 365 Team for an ICT Engineer (Microsoft 365). This role will support Durham County Council's B Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Storekeeper Driver

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
An opportunity has come up in Highways Services for a Storekeeper/Driver.  They will assist the Stores Supervisor in delivering a customer focussed St Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Care Support

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 (pay award pending)
We're recruiting to a permanent role within our Pathways Service, which delivers day services to adults with complex needs, Monday to Friday. There i Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner