Agenda item

8.44pm – Councillor Sue Macmillan moved, seconded by Councillor Alan De’Ath, the special motion in their names:

“This Council welcomes the excellent work done by Hammersmith and Fulham’s schools in providing a first class education for our children and young people.

The Council notes with concern that recent announcements by both the Chancellor, George Osborne, and the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan, have confirmed the Government’s intention to shift funding away from ‘overfunded’ authorities in London to ‘underfunded’ authorities elsewhere.

The Council further notes that if the proposed approach were adopted, it could mean a reduction of £10.9m (10.6%) in funding for Hammersmith and Fulham’s Schools and that Hammersmith and Fulham could be one of the worst affected local authorities in the Country.

This Council therefore calls on the Conservative Government to reverse these plans and ensure that Hammersmith and Fulham’s Schools are fully funded so that they can continue to provide an excellent education for the Borough’s children and young people.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Sue Macmillan and Alan De’Ath (for the Administration).

Under Standing Order 15(e) (vi), Councillor Caroline Ffiske moved, seconded by Councillor Lucy Ivimy, an amendment to the motion as follows:

1.         Delete title and insert “Schools Funding”.

2.         Delete paragraphs (2) to (4) and insert:

“(2) Notes the government’s plans to introduce the first ever national funding formula for schools, high needs and early years, with the detailed consultation beginning in 2016.

(3) When the details of the consultation become known, commits to working with Hammersmith & Fulham schools and Tri-borough partners to respond in detail to the consultation.

(4) Pledges to work to ensure:

(a) that any final formula recognises the particular funding requirements for the borough’s schools, including pupil needs and cost differentials, and that;

(b) our local schools are fully funded to provide an excellent education for the Borough’s children.”

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillors Caroline Ffiske, Viya Nsumbu, and Donald Johnson (for the Opposition) and Councillor Sue Macmillan (for the Administration).

The amendment to the special motion was then put to the vote.

The amendment to the special motion was declared LOST.

Speeches on the substantive motion were made by Councillors Caroline Needham and Sue Macmillan (for the Administration).

The substantive motion was then put to the vote and a roll call was requested:

The motion was declared CARRIED.

9.19pm – RESOLVED

This Council welcomes the excellent work done by Hammersmith and Fulham’s schools in providing a first class education for our children and young people.

The Council notes with concern that recent announcements by both the Chancellor, George Osborne, and the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan, have confirmed the Government’s intention to shift funding away from ‘overfunded’ authorities in London to ‘underfunded’ authorities elsewhere.

The Council further notes that if the proposed approach were adopted, it could mean a reduction of £10.9m (10.6%) in funding for Hammersmith and Fulham’s Schools and that Hammersmith and Fulham could be one of the worst affected local authorities in the Country.

This Council therefore calls on the Conservative Government to reverse these plans and ensure that Hammersmith and Fulham’s Schools are fully funded so that they can continue to provide an excellent education for the Borough’s children and young people.