Over to Nicky Morgan

A year ago, we were waiting for then Education Secretary Michael Gove to rule on the two applications for a grammar annexe in Sevenoaks. Now it is down to his successor, Nicky Morgan, to rule on a new application from the Weald of Kent Grammar School Academy Trust.

As was widely reported last week – in the Sevenoaks Chronicle, but also in the national press – Weald of Kent has submitted an application for a 3 Forms of Entry girls grammar school annexe on the former Wildernesse School site. At KCC we have worked closely with Weald of Kent regarding their application, notably through our projections of the growing need for West Kent grammar school places.

There are many positive indications for this application. It is true that Weald of Kent was - along with Valley Invicta Academies Trust - one of the unsuccessful applicants last year. Both applications were, however, for a coeducational annexe, and this issue - that a single sex school setting up a coeducational annexe was seen to be in effect creating a new grammar school - was at the heart of Michael Gove's decision to turn the applications down. At the same time, the Department for Education made clear that the high proportion of students that Weald of Kent draws from Sevenoaks was a powerful argument for viewing their proposed grammar provision as an annexe.

In the meantime, the grammar annexe secured planning permission (from KCC's Planning Applications Committee) in the summer, and work is getting under way to demolish the existing buildings on the Wildernesse site and then start work on the buildings for the Trinity Free School, which will share use of the site with the proposed grammar annexe.

In the longer term, our aim remains to secure boys' provision in the site as well, but Weald of Kent's application is a very welcome step - a strong proposal from an outstanding Kent grammar school. What remains now is the Secretary of State's decision. KCC and Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon have urged that the decision should be a speedy one.

Shoreham: part of the way on village gateways

When I organised a walk round Shoreham with Kent Highways officers two years ago, one of the key proposals to emerge was for a clearer indication to drivers that they were entering a village.

Officers brought forward schemes to be paid for from my Member Highway Fund, including both village gateway signs and red high friction surfacing (usually with 'SLOW' or '30 MPH' painted into it) at various points in the village.

When these proposals were brought back to the Parish Council and others, there was limited enthusiasm for the village signs. Some were in favour of rumble strips as a further way of demarcating entry to the village and influencing driver behaviour, but views on this were mixed. I therefore proposed that we go ahead with the element of the proposal on which there was very widespread agreement (the high friction surfacing). This was completed a couple of weeks ago. It has all taken rather longer than I would have liked, but it is a step forward nonetheless.

There is likely to be a village meeting early in the New Year (under the auspices of the Shoreham Society) to discuss highways issues. This will give an opportunity to examine whether some of the other proposals should be taken forward.