Bucks County Council leader Martin Tett has slammed the government’s lack of consultation over proposals to force every school to become an academy by 2020.

The Tory councillor debated a motion today morning on “academisation” - when schools are transferred to private sector companies funded by central government - and said the proposal would have “major ramifications” and “significant impact” on outcomes for parents and children.

He said: “Less than a year after the election, there is a major policy [proposed] that was not in our manifesto. If we are going to make such a massive change there should be a consultation or discussion with those of us who have been carrying out this function successfully.”

Speaking about the council’s responsibilities, he said the government would take away “virtually every tool” it has to do the job, and councils would not be able to carry out jobs such as improvements to schools and looking after vulnerable children.

He urged members to support the motion and “get back to proper dialogue and consultation” with the government.

He added: “Taking away the responsibility from democratically elected local councillors who parents can come and speak to about their problems, and place it in the hands of remote unelected regional commissioners who none of us can probably even name, to me is a quango that’s too far.”

Labour’s Robin Stuchbury, who seconded the motion, said: “The Local Government Association has serious concerns about whether councils will have adequate powers to properly discharge their remaining education duties, for example in school place planning and protecting vulnerable pupils.

“This includes children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities.”

Liberal Democrat cllr Avril Davies, who proposed the strongly-worded motion, said academisation was a “very big distraction” for schools and money and attention would move away from education as a result. She also said she was hoping that the council would be able to sponsor schools as academies.

She said: “I want to make sure that leadership is provided by this council to ensure that we improve and do not change, and that nothing is lost to the children in this county.”

Labour said although BCC will continue to have the responsibility to provide school places for pupils, it will have no power to make this happen.