Proposed by Councillor Sheila Clarke

Seconded by Councillor James Keeley

Council:

(1)  Welcomes the decision of the Coalition Government to increase the Pupil Premium by a further £58 per pupil this year, thereby eliminating the deficits at many schools in recent years. Council believes further increases in the Pupil Premium will enable schools in Wirral to make further, welcome progress in raising the achievement and attainment of all pupils in the Borough, regardless of background.

(2)  Also notes that many existing schools have benefited from the Council’s budget this year, including improvements to school buildings, such as:

• £75,000 toilet refurbishment at St Andrew’s Primary School, Bebington
• £60,000 replacement windows at Greasby Junior School
• £27,000 kitchen improvements at Thingwall Primary School
• £93,000 safer playground at Christchurch School, Moreton
• £450,000 mobile classroom replacement at St George’s Primary School, Wallasey

(3)  Is pleased to note that the Deputy Prime Minister has announced the introduction of free nursery school provision for approximately 140,000 children from the most deprived families and looks forward to working with schools to ensure that children in Wirral benefit from this extra investment.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Ann McLachlan

Seconded by Councillor Tony Smith

Delete all. Replace with:

(1)  Council notes that the Pupil Premium was introduced to address the current inequalities between children eligible for Free School Meals and their wealthier peers.

(2)  Council further notes that, whilst Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit, they will be held accountable for how it is spent and this money is not intended to be used to plug any deficit in School budgets.

(3)  Council welcomes the consultation on extending the former Labour Government’s commitment to provide free nursery education for all children under school age to two year olds.

(4)  Council also notes the much reduced capital programme for 2011/12, compared to the over £40m invested in 2010/11, which enabled many Schools in Wirral to benefit from improvements to their buildings and facilities.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and lost (29:35) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (35:29) (One abstention).

Resolved (35:29) (One abstention) –

Council:

(1)  Welcomes the decision of the Coalition Government to increase the Pupil Premium by a further £58 per pupil this year, thereby eliminating the deficits at many schools in recent years. Council believes further increases in the Pupil Premium will enable schools in Wirral to make further, welcome progress in raising the achievement and attainment of all pupils in the Borough, regardless of background.

(2)  Also notes that many existing schools have benefited from the Council’s budget this year, including improvements to school buildings, such as:

• £75,000 toilet refurbishment at St Andrew’s Primary School, Bebington
• £60,000 replacement windows at Greasby Junior School
• £27,000 kitchen improvements at Thingwall Primary School
• £93,000 safer playground at Christchurch School, Moreton
• £450,000 mobile classroom replacement at St George’s Primary School, Wallasey

(3)  Is pleased to note that the Deputy Prime Minister has announced the introduction of free nursery school provision for approximately 140,000 children from the most deprived families and looks forward to working with schools to ensure that children in Wirral benefit from this extra investment.