FOUR local authorities have agreed to work together to jointly improve their educational standards throughout the area reports ANDY SHERWILL.

Last week cabinet members from Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen councils met simultaneously and approved the formation of an Integrated Achievement Service.

The commissioners overseeing education provision at the Blaenau Gwent authority also decided that this proposal was the way forward.

At Monmouthshire's cabinet meeting Councillor Liz Hacket Pain said that consortia in the authority were nothing new and added, "Cardiff has since withdrawn from our collaboration as the Welsh Government suggested that we should base any linking together should be kept within the local health board areas which in our case would include the Caerphilly authority.

We've held seminars and drop in sessions over the over the project to find out what the scheme means to us.

"I can clarify that sovereignty over our schools in Monmouthshire is not affected and we are not looking to do anything different, the roles and responsibilities will not change.

"What will be beneficial is our capacity to increase access to specialists."

Councillor Hacket Pain said there was one overriding factor is why the authority intended being part of this scheme.

"Standards need to be raised and there is no other overriding reason. Young people deserve the best education we can offer them. I believe this collaboration will do that."

Wales is perceived as falling behind other nations and that there is a huge variation between authorities within the country.

Councillor Hacket Pain added, "As an authority Monmouthshire doesn't do well in attracting grants, but being part of this consortium will bring us this type of benefit. I guarantee that the amount we put into education resources will potentially be more in return."

The scheme is now undergoing a 90 day consultation and if approved by all participating councils it will have a budget of £4.2million - Monmouthshire's share is £700,000.

Councillor Hacket Pain emphasised: "This is not a backdoor way of becoming one big Gwent authority again."

Councillor Bob Greenland said that the scheme was a good way to drive up standards in education while Councillor Giles Howard said that the wider aspects of obtaining specialist help when needed could be a great benefit to the authority.

Councillor Geoff Burrows pointed out that with the administrators controlling Blaenau Gwent's affairs, the authority could be classed as the weakest link in the partnership.

Councillor Hacket-Pain responded, "In some ways the problems at Blaenau Gwent are being addressed by specialists so the reverse could be said that its a good authority to be partnered with.

Councillor Val Smith said, "Our educational standards may have been falling, but we are still producing stars at GCSE and A levels.

"I believe that improvements come from within schools themselves. I suggest we give the schools the funding to spend as they feel fit. I realise my points of view will have little impact with cabinet members."

Councillor Hacket-Pain added: "The schools will be run as they are now and school improvement officer role will allow schools to deliver education while they will deal with the growing mountain of red tape."

Councillor Peter Fox said: "We agree with the Welsh Government's minister Leighton Andrews AM over the points laid down by the Estyn report for the systematic failure of education throughout Wales.

"Overall Wales came right at the bottom in educational provision. It is increasingly difficult for small authorities like us to do things on our own and we need to work together with others to build up our capacity to increase our opportunities in the future - we need challenges.

"This is the start of a massive educational journey."

It is proposed that the IAS scheme will deliver school achievement provision from September 2012.

The project members will work on developing the shape of the high level model involving key stakeholders such as schools, governing bodies, education staff and trade unions.