Following the Cabinet’s decision on 26 November 2009 (Minute No 192/2009 refers) to revert to an earlier option for secondary school reorganisation in Birkenhead, a report by the Director of Children’s Services advised of a result of consultations with various stakeholders on the possibility of a new Academy being constructed on the Park High site of the Shaftsbury/borough Road playing field site, provided a likely timetable for the Academy process and updated on developments in relation to the Sponsor team for the Mixed Academy.

The Director was in attendance at the meeting and took Members through the detail of his report answering their questions as appropriate.

Councillor P Davies paid tribute to Park High and Rock Ferry High Schools, in particular, the contributions of their pupils, staff and Governors had made resulting in the excellent standards both schools had achieved.

It was noted that the Cabinet had waived the Call-in in respect of this matter when it was discussed on 26 November but had made it clear, at the time, that it would not be waiving it again in respect of the decision to be made at this meeting.

Councillor P Davies moved the following motion:

“Cabinet agrees to:

(1)  the inclusion of the Park High site and the Shaftsbury / Borough Road playing field site as potential sites for the Mixed Academy in the Expression of Interest, subject to a Statement on Intent being issued by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Full public consultation with residents and businesses should take place on the Shaftsbury / Borough Road site and a final decision on the preferred site to be taken by the Cabinet in January 2010;

(2)  the inclusion of Birkenhead Sixth Form College and the University of Liverpool within the Mixed Academy Sponsor team,  for inclusion in the Statement of Intent and Expression of Interest to be sent to the Minister;

(3)  the Director of Children’s Services to have urgent discussions with the sponsor team with a view to confirming the leader sponsor for the Mixed Academy; and

(4)  and pays tribute to the excellent contribution made by the Staff, pupils and Governors of Park High and Rock Ferry high Schools to education in Birkenhead.”

The following AMENDMENT was moved by Councillor S Holbrook

“Cabinet agrees to:

(1)  the current Park High site as the preferred location for the mixed academy to replace Rock Ferry HS and Park HS. This should be included in the Statement of Intent and the Expression of Interest to be sent to the Minister.

(2) to (4) as above.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared carried as 4 Members voted for the amendment and 3 voted against it.

The amendment then became the Substantive Motion and was put to the vote and declared carried as 7 Members voted for it and no Members voted against it.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet agrees to:

 (1)  the current Park High site as the preferred location for the mixed academy to replace Rock Ferry HS and Park HS. This should be included in the Statement of Intent and the Expression of Interest to be sent to the Minister.

(2)  the inclusion of Birkenhead Sixth Form College and the University of Liverpool within the Mixed Academy Sponsor team,  for inclusion in the Statement of Intent and Expression of Interest to be sent to the Minister;

(3)  the Director of Children’s Services to have urgent discussions with the sponsor team with a view to confirming the leader sponsor for the Mixed Academy;

(4)  and pays tribute to the excellent contribution made by the Staff, pupils and Governors of Park High and Rock Ferry high Schools to education in Birkenhead.”