Purpose

Cabinet agreed to the following
recommendations in relation to High Needs Capital Grant Spend in
November 2023:
1. To agree to new financial arrangements including support for
capital and revenue projects which will increase the effectiveness
of provision within the borough. This includes accepting the
allocation of £7,076,009.23 of High Needs Capital Grant
subject to the terms and conditions of the grant.
2. Agree to delegate decisions around how to allocate the balance
of capital funding within the terms and conditions of the grant,
alongside other associated revenue decisions to the Director
Children, Young People and Families and the Director of Corporate
Resources in consultation with the portfolio holder for children,
young people and schools.
The Secretary of State gave permission for Astrea Academy Trust to
close Hillside Primary Academy in Conisbrough with effect from 31
August 2021. The 125 year lease ceased and the land and buildings
were returned to Doncaster Council. Since its closure, the site has
remained unused and has maintained significant energy and site
security costs in excess of £1400 per week (Plus VAT).
Recently despite onsite security the site has been subject to
anti-social behaviour, vandalism and theft meaning that the site
needs to be occupied and put into use as a matter of urgency.
At present the property is unusable and unsafe and cannot be
leased. This ODR is to allow the reutilisation of the property for
Education Purposes. An assessment of the changes required to bring
the building in line with current Building Regulations has been
undertaken and a scheme of works has been agreed. Once it had been
brought up to current standards both mechanically and electrically
it will then be leased using a standard lease (academy
based).
The site is subject to an education covenant meaning that the site
must remain in use for educational purposes. Should we wish to at a
later date, the process to remove this covenant, requires Secretary
of State consent and we must be able to demonstrate that there is
no educational requirement.

Content

The local authority to invest the sum of
£507,212 from the High Needs Capital Grant to facilitate the
required capital works. Works are planned to be delivered in 2
phases, with Phase 1 complete in January 2024 and Phase 2 by 31
July 2024.