Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Thursday, 05 November 2009

Building Schools for the Future (BSF)-New Academies & Proposed Closure of Blakeston School, The Norton School & Thornaby Community School

The Building Schools for the Future Strategy for Change (Parts 1 and 2) had previously been agreed by Cabinet and approved by government agencies, and included proposals to replace Blakeston School and The Norton School with an Academy located in Stockton, and to replace Thornaby Community School with an Academy on its present site.

The proposal had come about as both Blakeston School, The Norton School and Thornaby Community School were National Challenge schools.  This means that fewer than 30% of their students have been able to achieve five good GCSE passes including maths and English.  In spite of the hard work of school staff and support from the Local Authority it has not been possible to raise standards at these schools above the 30% threshold.  Thornaby Community School has also been placed into special measures following an inspection by Ofsted.  The Government expects local authorities to take radical action to secure improved opportunities for the young people in those schools.  All three schools meet the criteria for replacement by Academies.  This change in the governance of these schools would bring in outside partners with different ideas and expertise and would introduce curriculum flexibilities.

The closure of any maintained school required a Statutory process of consultation and decision making and consideration was given to the responses received during this process. It was noted that the majority of comments received were concerned with the details of the new proposed Academies; as opposed to the proposed school closures, and these would be addressed during separate consultation in the future should the scheme proceed.  

The Academies would be established by a separate process involving a funding agreement concluded between the proposed sponsors and the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.  These Academies would adopt a new sponsorship model.  The principal sponsor of the Academy in Stockton would be NHS Stockton (previously known as Stockton-on-Tees Primary Care Trust).  The principal sponsor of the Academy in Thornaby would be Teesside University.  Co-sponsors of both Academies would be the Borough Council and a consortium of the two further education colleges in the borough.  Both Academies would receive new buildings funded by the BSF programme, but the sponsors intend to propose that both Academies should open initially in the existing buildings of the predecessor schools in order to bring about change as early as possible. Sponsors have provisionally agreed with Government agencies that the proposed Academy in Thornaby should open on 1 September 2010 and the proposed Academy in Stockton on 1 January 2011.  The principal sponsors will shortly engage in a programme of public consultation on their plans for the proposed Academies.

Staff employed at these schools would be protected at the time of the establishment of Academies.  Staff would be entitled to transfer from Council employment to become employees of the relevant Academy Board of Trustees.  Under the Transfer of Undertakings/Protection of Employment regulations (TUPE) all staff other than agency staff, staff employed by an external organisation, or staff employed on a fixed term contract related to the closure of the existing schools would have the right to transfer to the Academy on their existing terms and conditions.
Consequently, in light of the above, Cabinet were happy to agree to the publication of the necessary Statutory Public Notice describing a proposal to discontinue Blakeston School and The Norton School from 31st December 2010; and to discontinue Thornaby Community School from 31st August 2010.

Further details on the above proposals, and the Council's BSF Strategy can be obtained from John Hegarty, Planning and Policy Development Officer, tel. 01642 526477; e-mail john.hegarty@stockton.gov.uk.  

Development of Integrated Health and Care Facility-Alma Street, Stockton

Plans for the development of an integrated Health & Care facility, to be situated at Alma Street, Stockton on Tees, moved a step closer when Cabinet recommended that full Council accept the proposed terms for the sale of Council land at Alma Street, Stockton to Stockton on Tees Teaching PCT; who had previously indicated that the site was their preferred option for the Stockton Integrated Care Centre.

The proposal; full details of which were reported in the August blog http://www.stockton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/egenda/cabinet/thecabinetupdate/1750157/06aug2009 would require the existing day centre provision at Alma to be transferred to the Halcyon Centre Thornaby (on Thorntree Road/ the former Harewood  Infants School).

The new facility at Alma Street would be part of health plans to make changes to the existing hospital services and bring some of these services closer to where people live or where they can access via public transport.

For further information regarding this development, contact Ruth Hill, Acting Director of Health Improvement, tel. 01642 352354 ; e-mail ruth.hill@northteespct.nhs.uk or Sean McEneany, tel 01642 527045; e-mail Sean.McEneany@stockton.gov.uk

Substance Misuse Policy

In recognition that drug and alcohol misuse was a serious problem in society today, Cabinet approved the adoption of a Substance Misuse Policy, designed to ensure that employees were aware of the risks associated with substance misuse and the consequences of their actions.

The Policy is a further example of the Council's approach to the promotion of workplace health, safety and well being of its employees.  There have been many initiatives enjoyed by staff throughout the course of the year, for example the new flexible working scheme which supports staff in attaining a better work-life balance; the current flu vaccination programme; workplace health screening and health promotion activities such as Mens health week, stop smoking etc.  

Substance misuse means using a substance inappropriately or to excess, so it negatively affects the way the user feels or acts and/or has a detrimental effect on the user's health and wellbeing.  It includes alcohol, illegal or legal drugs, prescription medicines such as tranquillisers and anti-depressants, over the counter medicines and other substances such as solvents, glue and lighter fuel.

The inappropriate use of substances can damage the health and wellbeing of employees and have far reaching effects on their personal and working lives.  At work, substance misuse can result in reduced levels of attendance, sub-standard work performance and increased health and safety risks, not only for the individual concerned but also for others, for example work colleagues, members of the public, contractors and service users.  Furthermore, the effects of substance misuse could be detrimental to the Council's reputation, image and its ability to deliver high quality services.

The aims of the policy were to:

• Promote a culture in which substance misuse is unacceptable.
• Prevent substance misuse by raising awareness.
• Give a clear understanding on the Councils rules on taking drugs and alcohol
• Provide clarity and practical guidance on how to deal with substance misuse effectively
• Promote a safe working environment
• Recognise substance misuse problems primarily as a health matter needing help and treatment.
• To encourage employees, wherever possible, who suspect or know they have a substance misuse problem to seek help voluntarily and provide assistance to these employees to overcome their problem.
• Maintain and improve employee performance
• To take appropriate action under the disciplinary or capability procedure, where necessary.
• Implement a policy which will both protect the employee and the Council

Future consideration would be given to the application of drug and alcohol testing to employees pending the similar scheme for taxi drivers having been in operation for a period of 6 months.
For a copy of the Council's policy visit http://www.egenda.stockton.gov.uk/aksstockton/images/att10439.doc
For further information on the development of the policy, contact Julia Spittle, Head of Human Resources, tel. 01642 527016; e-mail julia.spittle@stockton.gov.uk

Workplace Travel Arrangements and Travel Allowance scheme

Changes were also proposed to the Council's Workplace Travel Arrangements and Travel Allowance scheme. The proposals, which were subject to consultation with the trade unions, and would require the approval of the full Council, sought to introduce a more consistent, equitable, transparent and economical policy that would also contribute to achieving the Council's Corporate Travel Plan (and reduce car mileage by 5% by April 2011); as well making significant financial savings for the authority.
Details of the proposed changes can be found at INSERT LINK, and a final decision on the policy was expected to be made in January 2010.
For further information, contact Julia Spittle, Head of Human Resources, tel. 01642 527016; e-mail julia.spittle@stockton.gov.uk

Economic Climate Update

Cabinet was advised of both the positive and negative economic changes that had taken place in the borough in the last month.

On the positive side, it was noted that SITA UK had opened its £70M 'energy from waste' plant at Haverton Hill, effectively trebling its capacity and creating 20 additional jobs. Gaia Power, based in Yarm, had also been given planning permission for their £220M Biomass Power Station, to be built in Billingham. Taxi operator, Middlesbrough Boro Cars, had also set up a new base at Mandale, Thornaby, and would employ 150 drivers and control staff by the year end, and IT firm Onyx had opened up new premises in Portrack, Stockton for 40 of its 109 staff.
However, 180 jobs in total at both Northumbria Water's Bran Sands Treatment plant, Teesport; and Petroplus Oil Refinery, Seal Sands were reported to be under threat.

The number of claimants seeking Job Seekers Allowance in Stockton had increased by 118 since August to 6,657.

A full copy of the Economic Climate report can be viewed at http://www.egenda.stockton.gov.uk/aksstockton/images/att9496.doc. Further information on any of the above economic climate information can be obtained from Richard Poundford, Head of Regeneration & Economic Development, tel. 01642 527024, e-mail Richard.Poundford@stockton.gov.uk