Issue - meetings

Forward Planning for Secondary School Places

Councillor Udey Singh to ask Councillor Darke (as Cabinet Member for Education): -

“Could the Cabinet Member confirm how many secondary school places are estimated to be required in Wolverhampton in the next 5 years, and advise Council on what plans have been put enacted to ensure that all secondary school children are guaranteed a place over that period?”

Use of the Mayoral Vehicles

Councillor Thompson to ask Councillor Jaspal (as Cabinet Member for Governance): -

“Could the Cabinet Member indicate which Members of the Council – in terms of which office holders – may be driven, with chauffeur, in the Mayoral vehicles, and in what circumstances?”

Question 1 - Forward Planning for Secondary School Places

Councillor Udey Singh asked the following question to Cllr Claire Darke (as Cabinet Member for Education):

“Could the Cabinet Member confirm how many secondary school places are estimated to be required in Wolverhampton in the next 5 years, and advise Council on what plans have been put enacted to ensure that all secondary school children are guaranteed a place over that period?”

Cllr Darke replied that it was projected that 430 year 7 places would need to be introduced across the next five years to accommodate projected demand.  This equated to 2150 overall across the five years. The projection is subject to change due to factors outside the Council’s control such as changes in Government policy, internal and external migration and any school openings or closures in neighbouring authorities.

She also replied that the Council’s school place planning activities were informed by the Council’s Primary School Organisation and Secondary Sufficiency Strategies, which were considered and approved by Cabinet earlier on today (20 July).

Cllr Udey Singh asked the following supplementary question to the Cabinet Member:

“Can the Cabinet Member guarantee that every child will have a place in a secondary school that is within one bus ride or within walking distance from their home”

Cllr Darke replied that the Council does its best to find places for all children within the City.  Government funding cuts and changes to Government education strategy had impacted on the Council’s ability to respond to school places but the Council was doing a very good job.

Question 2 - Use of the Mayoral Vehicles

Councillor Thompson asked the following question to Councillor Milkinder Jaspal (as Cabinet Member for Governance): 

“Could the Cabinet Member indicate which Members of the Council – in terms of which office holders – may be driven, with chauffeur, in the Mayoral vehicles, and in what circumstances?”

Cllr Milkinder Jaspal replied that the Council had two mayoral vehicles.  They were a corporate resource and are available for use by councillors and employees whilst on council business, such as attending out of city meetings. Priority is given to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for their mayoral duties. Use of the vehicles was monitored and he was sure that the vehicles provided value for money.

Cllr Thompson asked a supplementary question to the Cabinet Member for Governance:

“Will Cllr Milkinder Jaspal make the detail of who uses the mayoral vehicles on a weekly basis to the Conservative Leader’s office?”

Cllr Milkinder Jaspal replied that the information could be provided.