Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies from Members of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Averil Lekau and Mariam Lolavar.

The Chair to announce any items of urgent business circulated separately from the main agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

Members to declare any personal and financial interests in items on the agenda. Attention is drawn to the Council’s Constitution; the Council’s Code of Conduct and associated advice.

Resolved-

That the list of Councillors’ memberships as Council appointed representatives on outside bodies, joint committees and school governing bodies is noted.

Members are requested to confirm as an accurate record the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2024.

No motion or discussion may take place upon the Minutes except as to their accuracy, and any question on this point will be determined by a majority of the Members of the body attending who were present when the matter in question was decided. Once confirmed, with or without amendment, the person presiding will sign the Minutes

Resolved –

That the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 13 March 2024 be agreed and signed as a true and accurate record.

To note the summary of the outcome for the non-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed closure, consider the outcome of the Equalities Impact Assessment, consider the letter of agreement from the Archdiocese of Southwark, and agree the closure of Holy Family RC Primary School

1.       Noted the summary of the outcome for the non-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School (Appendices 1, 4 and 5 of the report).

2.       Considered the outcome of the Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 2 when determining the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School (Appendix 2 of the report).

3.       Considered the letter of agreement from the Archdiocese of Southwark being the responsible body of the school, on the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2024 (Appendix 3 of the report).

4.       Agreed the closure of Holy Family RC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2024 following the statutory notice published on 14 February 2024 (Appendix 4 of the report).

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People acknowledged that closing a school was a significant decision which affected the whole community. He emphasised that the decision was not a reflection on staff or pupils; there had been a drop in pupil numbers for primary school age children across London, and funding related to pupil numbers. The local authority was offering support to schools to minimize the impact of the fall in numbers, and he had met with parents who were concerned about the matter.

The Leader of the Council thanked the Cabinet Member and Officers for their work in managing the situation and engaging with families.

 Resolved -

1.    That the summary of the outcome for the non-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School (Appendices 1, 4 and 5 of the report) be noted.

2.    That the outcome of the Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 2 when determining the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School (Appendix 2 of the report) be noted.

3.    That the letter of agreement from the Archdiocese of Southwark being the responsible body of the school, on the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2024 (Appendix 3 of the report) be noted.

4.    That the closure of Holy Family RC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2024 following the statutory notice published on 14 February 2024 (Appendix 4 of the report) be agreed.