The motion was moved by Councillor James Holmes and seconded by Councillor Michael Bull.

The Labour amendment, as set out in item 17 (c) was moved by Councillors Martin Whelton and seconded by Councillor Imran Uddin.

Councillor Peter Southgate also spoke on this item.

The Labour amendment was then put to the vote and was carried – votes in favour 34, and votes against 19 with 5 abstentions

The substantive resolution was agreed.

RESOLVED

This council congratulates all of our GCSE and A Level students on their excellent results this year, with record results at GCSE level in particular. Council also acknowledges the hard work of our Governors, Headteachers, Teachers, Teaching Assistants and other school staff in assisting our young people to reach their full educational potential.

This Council notes the opening of Merton’s first free school, Park Free School, in September 2014. This Council does not support the current government’s free school policy which allows the establishment of unregulated schools with unqualified teachers and unsuitable premises to be established in areas already well served by good schools whilst additional school places for children in areas of scarcity are left unfunded by government.

Whilst wishing the staff and all the pupils at Park Community School a successful future, as we would for all our Merton pupils and schools staff, council deplores the sub-standard accommodation pupils will have to endure and the uncertainty created due to the delay in identifying a site.

Recognising the enormous costs and challenges for the borough in meeting the growing demand for school places among Merton’s primary age group as a result of increased birth rates and also recognising the even greater costs to be incurred for when this cohort of children reaches secondary school age, this Council reiterates its decision of 20 November 2013 to look at all options for meeting the need for more school places, including, and in accordance with the wishes of parents, free schools led by parents in areas of school places shortages employing properly qualified teachers and with proper systems of financial accountability and transparency, and academies.

As per the decision of 20 November 2013 full council, where a free school wishes to set up in the borough, this Council expects that it will adhere to the following principles:

• Agree to be part of Merton’s admissions procedures, working closely with officers;

• Employ only qualified teachers;

• Participate fully in the Merton Education Partnership; and

• Demonstrate genuine community support.

Council regrets that these principles are not supported by central government, leaving children at the mercy of unregulated providers who may not have the best interests of our young people at heart.

However, in order to ensure that Merton’s education system is able to offer local families both quality and choice, this Council resolves to continue to support all of our local schools, and where there is an identified need, to consider supporting providers with a proven track record of success who are willing to adopt the aforementioned principles and where the Council is confident that the standard of education offered is comparable with the best schools in the borough.