Ruth Kelly has thrown the Government onto a collision course with councils by refusing to give up the proposed power to veto new local authority community schools. In a move to defuse the row with Labour MPs over her education bill, the education secretary announced this week that councils will be allowed to bid to build a community school as an alternative to a new trust school independent of local authority control. But she incurred criticism from the Local Government Association (LGA) by insisting that the community school could only be examined in a competition with her consent. While welcoming the strategic commissioning role councils would get, the dismissal of an unregulated admissions system and the ability for local authorities to open community schools, LGA children and young person board chair Alison King said: ‘However we object to the introduction of a potential veto from the secretary of state.' ‘And the ultimate decision as to which school is built will be taken by the schools adjudicator rather than the local authority. In doing so the adjudicator would take into account the track record of the local authority in terms of educational performance, the degree of diversity in the local school system and parental preference,' the Government said. ‘The reason the secretary of state is involved is because the adjudicator cannot both rule on whether a community school proposal should be allowed and be the decider of the competition.' The Government insisted: ‘Where a local authority with a good track record in education proposes a community school that will command the support of parents, the secretary of state will not normally intervene.' The bill confirms the switch of councils' role from the day-to-day running of schools to become a strategic commissioner, charged with driving up standards. To help the poorest communities councils are to get a £30m fund to drive up standards in weaker schools. The money will be paid over two years to boost the strategic role of local authorities in ensuring that struggling schools get better targeted support. Councils will also get the freedom to offer pupils free meals, fresh fruit and refreshments during the school day to enable them to encourage children to eat healthily. mjnews@hgluk.com
