Agenda item

To consider a notice on motion submitted by Councillor Penny seconded by Councillor Frea.

The following motion of which notice had been given to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15 was moved by Councillor Penny and seconded by Councillor Frea:-

"Lancaster City Council notes that:

The Government published its plans for education recovery after the pandemic on 2^nd June. Sir Kevan Collins, appointed by the Prime Minister as the Government’s Education Recovery Commissioner had judged that some £15bn was needed to repair the damage done to the nation’s pupils because of Covid. The Government’s offer of £1.4bn falls far short and is inadequate. The Education Policy Institute have calculated that this amounts to £50 per pupil per year. This contrasts with £1,600 per pupil in the USA and £2,500 per pupil in the Netherlands. There are no quick or cheap fixes if we are to build back better from the pandemic and have an education system that supports high standards and strong mental health for everyone. 

Separately, the Department for Education has changed the census used to calculate Pupil Premium funding for the most disadvantaged pupils. This means that £150 million is being taken away from young people and schools most in need. We are not going to level up the country on the backs of the poorest children.

Lancaster City Council resolves:  

To lobby the Government to value and invest in all our children, so they are supported to learn, succeed, and go on to have bright futures. 

To write to the Prime Minister and call on the Government to scale up its ambition for our children and young people and give our education system the resources they need to ensure that no child is left behind. The Government should show it is serious about levelling up by putting in the investment called for by its own former Education Recovery Commissioner.”

An officer briefing note had been included on the agenda to assist debate.

There were no questions put to the proposer of the motion and no debate.

A vote was taken and the motion was very clearly carried.

Resolved:-

Lancaster City Council notes that:

The Government published its plans for education recovery after the pandemic on 2^nd June. Sir Kevan Collins, appointed by the Prime Minister as the Government’s Education Recovery Commissioner had judged that some £15bn was needed to repair the damage done to the nation’s pupils because of Covid. The Government’s offer of £1.4bn falls far short and is inadequate. The Education Policy Institute have calculated that this amounts to £50 per pupil per year. This contrasts with £1,600 per pupil in the USA and £2,500 per pupil in the Netherlands. There are no quick or cheap fixes if we are to build back better from the pandemic and have an education system that supports high standards and strong mental health for everyone. 

Separately, the Department for Education has changed the census used to calculate Pupil Premium funding for the most disadvantaged pupils. This means that £150 million is being taken away from young people and schools most in need. We are not going to level up the country on the backs of the poorest children.

Lancaster City Council resolves:  

To lobby the Government to value and invest in all our children, so they are supported to learn, succeed, and go on to have bright futures. 

To write to the Prime Minister and call on the Government to scale up its ambition for our children and young people and give our education system the resources they need to ensure that no child is left behind. The Government should show it is serious about levelling up by putting in the investment called for by its own former Education Recovery Commissioner.