To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 73(c)) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Hannaford and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely:
Thousands of parents across Devon were again forced to pay over the odds for school uniforms this academic year.
The Government failed to issue legally binding guidance obliging schools to ensure that their specified clothing is reasonably priced in time for the start of the new term.
Under a new law passed by Parliament in April, schools will be required follow statutory guidance on uniform costs, forcing them to keep prices down.
It was widely understood that this guidance would be in place in time for the start of the 2021/2022 academic year
In addition to encouraging schools to consider making second-hand uniforms available, the guidance will also instruct them to look into allowing parents to kit out their children in cheaper high-street alternatives and to also demonstrate that they obtained the best value for money possible from their suppliers.
Parents with children in state schools spend on average £315 per year for each primary school child and £337 per year on uniform for each secondary school child, according to research from The Children’s Society.
This is more than three times what parents think is a reasonable cost for primary (£85) and secondary (£105) uniform.
The new law, introduced as a Private Members’ Bill by Labour MP Mike Amesbury, that had widespread cross party support, could save hard-pressed parents hundreds of pounds over the course of their children’s academic careers.
Council therefore resolves to formally write to all Members of Parliament in the Devon County Council area, clearly raising all the ongoing issues and concerns around the rising cost of school uniforms, to urge them to actively support the implementation of these changes at the earliest opportunity.
Furthermore with cuts to universal credit, increasing fuel and heating costs, and rising inflation, we need to support our families now by making school uniforms more affordable in Devon as we cannot wait for government decisions.
Council therefore also resolves to write to all our schools this term to ask them to urgently reconsider their uniform policies, and check that parents and families have the option of buying school clothing that is less expensive. In line with previous Department of Education guidance to local authorities, governors and schools for setting school uniform policy.
Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (CSO/21/15) and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:
that Council support the issues as raised and outlined in the Notice of Motion and accordingly;
(a) writes to Devon MPs; and
(b) that schools be reminded of the impending statutory guidance and
ask that they take a proactive approach.
Decision:
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and that Council support the issues as raised and outlined in the Notice of Motion and accordingly;
(a) writes to Devon MPs; and
(b) that schools be reminded of the impending statutory guidance and ask that they take a proactive approach.
The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion, nem. con.
Minutes:
Pursuant to County Council Minute 55 of 7 October 2021 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Hannaford that:
Thousands of parents across Devon were again forced to pay over the odds for school uniforms this academic year.
The Government failed to issue legally binding guidance obliging schools to ensure that their specified clothing is reasonably priced in time for the start of the new term.
Under a new law passed by Parliament in April, schools will be required follow statutory guidance on uniform costs, forcing them to keep prices down.
It was widely understood that this guidance would be in place in time for the start of the 2021/2022 academic year
In addition to encouraging schools to consider making second-hand uniforms available, the guidance will also instruct them to look into allowing parents to kit out their children in cheaper high-street alternatives and to also demonstrate that they obtained the best value for money possible from their suppliers.
Parents with children in state schools spend on average £315 per year for each primary school child and £337 per year on uniform for each secondary school child, according to research from The Children’s Society.
This is more than three times what parents think is a reasonable cost for primary (£85) and secondary (£105) uniform.
The new law, introduced as a Private Members’ Bill by Labour MP Mike Amesbury, that had widespread cross party support, could save hard-pressed parents hundreds of pounds over the course of their children’s academic careers.
Council therefore resolves to formally write to all Members of Parliament in the Devon County Council area, clearly raising all the ongoing issues and concerns around the rising cost of school uniforms, to urge them to actively support the implementation of these changes at the earliest opportunity.
Furthermore, with cuts to universal credit, increasing fuel and heating costs, and rising inflation, we need to support our families now by making school uniforms more affordable in Devon as we cannot wait for government decisions.
Council therefore also resolves to write to all our schools this term to ask them to urgently reconsider their uniform policies, and check that parents and families have the option of buying school clothing that is less expensive. In line with previous Department of Education guidance to local authorities, governors and schools for setting school uniform policy.
and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 73(c) of 10th November 2021:
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and that Council support the issues as raised and outlined in the Notice of Motion and accordingly;
(a) writes to Devon MPs; and
(b) that schools be reminded of the impending statutory guidance and ask that they take a proactive approach.
The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion, nem. con.