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

Senior/Principal Regeneration Officer

Fareham Borough Council
£45,465 - £55,379
Our town centre regeneration is moving from planning to delivery, and we're looking for someone who wants to help make regeneration happen. Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Deputy Temporary Accommodation and Procurement Manager

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£47,730 – £57,837 per annum
Are you an experienced housing professional with a strong understanding of both the private rented sector and homelessness legislation? This is an opportunity to lead one of London's most ambitious accommodation procurement services, helping Richmond a Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Leaving Care Personal Adviser

Gloucestershire County Council
£34,237 - £37,563 per annum
We are currently recruiting for a Leaving Care Personal Advisers to join our dedicated Leaving Care team in Gloucester, Stroud and Cheltenham. Gloucestershire
Recuriter: Gloucestershire County Council

Family Help Team Leader (SW)

Gloucestershire County Council
£49,817 - £53,051 per annum
You will bring together professionals from different disciplines to provide coordinated and effective support to children and their families. Gloucestershire
Recuriter: Gloucestershire County Council

Education Access Coordinator

Essex County Council
£29512.00 - £34720.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Education Access CoordinatorFixed Term, Full Time£29,512 to £34,720 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner