As part of the budget setting process for 2009-10 the council reviewed the funding arrangements for Hounslow Language Service (HLS).
At a meeting on 3 March 2009, the council considered a recommendation that such funding be reduced. No final decision has been taken in respect of that decision and a process of formal consultation is underway, with a further report to be considered by the council’s Executive in July.
As part of the funding review, we are considering whether most or all of the costs of HLS should be met from schools’ delegated budgets.
Such an approach would leave schools the power to use external grants and resources as they see fit for the purpose of ensuring provision for pupils with additional language needs. However, it would also mean that the council ended or reduced its current subsidy to HLS from its central funds, and that might have implications for the future of the service, depending on what schools then choose to do.
Views about all aspects of the proposals set out in the consultation document are being sought from:
schools
community groups representing the interests of those ethnic groups who receive additional language support
staff within HLS
trade unions
We welcome, in particular, views from these groups about the implications of the proposals for our duties concerning the elimination of unlawful racial discrimination and promotion of equality of opportunity. Please give your views by Monday 13 July.
Although this consultation is restricted to those groups listed above we are committed to openness and believe that parents and the wider community want to be kept informed of developments.