RESOLVED

1.         That the report and recommendations (attached in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) arising from the scrutiny review of the recruitment and retention of teachers in Merton undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission be noted;

2.         That the recommendations of the task group be responded to through an action plan to be drawn up by officers in consultation with the lead Cabinet Member.

3.         That this action plan prior be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission for consideration.

Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, Cabinet Member for Education, introduced the report, thanking the Scrutiny Task Group for their efforts.

The Director of Children, Schools and Families added that the review had been initiated at the request of teachers in the Borough, and who had asked it to be recorded that a factor affecting their retention was their workloads, which the Council did not have the ability to influence, however there were some bold recommendations contained in the report and this was welcomed.

Councillor Peter Southgate, Chair of the Scrutiny Task Group, presented the report, thanking all those involved and outlining the recommendations.  Whilst the review had been at the request of teachers in the borough, it was recognised that there were many other groups whose work and contribution to the borough was vital who had similar housing needs.

Councillor Martin Whelton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport thanked the Task Group for their work.  He stressed the challenges which the Council faced in retention of key workers and the cost of living in the borough.  There were no easy solutions, however with approximately 9000 people on the waiting list for housing, the Council had a duty to address the most acute housing need first and had to take care not to discriminate against other groups and address a number of needs across the borough.

Councillor Edith Macauley, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities advised that school governors discuss the issue regularly when setting budgets for the year; and was grateful for the work which has been carried out. 

Councillor Mark Allison, Cabinet Member for Finance advised that the issue of teachers’ workloads should be recognised as one of the biggest factors in teacher retention.  Cost of housing is important in a wide range of jobs and it was difficult to determine what a key worker is, as without many essential workers London would grind to a halt.  The significant problems with the UK housing market was a national issue and one which needed to be addressed by central Government.

The Chair highlighted that the report did flag up the other sectors which were also in need of housing.  He thanked Councillor Southgate and all those involved in the Scrutiny Review.

RESOLVED

1.         That the report and recommendations (attached in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report) arising from the scrutiny review of the recruitment and retention of teachers in Merton undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission be noted;

2.         That the recommendations of the task group be responded to through an action plan to be drawn up by officers in consultation with the lead Cabinet Member.

3.         That this action plan prior be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission for consideration.