HC Deb 27 July 1993 vol 229 cc928-9W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many grant-maintained schools there are in Wales; what are the rules about the personal responsibility of members of their governing bodies; whether members are required to declare interests; what statutory provision is made for public access to information about a school and the governors' proceedings; what charter provision applies to their activities; and whether they are subject to performance indicators.

Sir Wyn Roberts

There are seven grant-maintained schools operating in Wales with a further three approved.

Generally, liability rests with the governing body rather than individual members. Individual members may however, be held liable in certain circumstances and schools are advised to take out insurance against these contingencies.

The instrument of government sets out in detail the circumstances in which members of the governing body should declare an interest and may be required to leave a meeting or will not be permitted to take part in a discussion or vote. The general principle is that no one should be involved in a decision where his or her own personal interests conflict with those of the school.

The article of government render a grant-maintained school accountable to the community it serves. It is required to publish a prospectus and annual report, hold an annual parents meeting, and make available non-confidential details of governors' meetings.

Grant-maintained schools are subject to the same citizens charter provisions and are required to provide the same performance data as their local education authority counterparts.

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