Purpose

To seek additional Cabinet
approval to draw down and spend funds from
the £48.3m capital allocation in
the Aspire & Achieve, Strategic Priorities
section of the Capital Plan, to enable further progress with the
rebuild of two special schools.
 
Background Papers
 
5 October 2021 Kirklees
Council Cabinet Report
Capital investment and rebuild of 2
Special Schools
 
March 2024 Kirklees Safety
Valve Agreement
Dedicated Schools Grant
‘Safety Valve’ Agreement:
Kirklees
 
SEND The Big Plan
https://www.kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk/media/sdgdbonx/final-the-big-plan-refresh-of-send-strategy-oct23.pdf
 
12 March 2024 Kirklees
Council Cabinet Report
Increasing special school places for
children with complex autism at Woodley School & College -
final decision
 
Engagement Process
 
There is continued engagement
with the senior leadership teams at both Woodley School and
College, and Joseph Norton Academy. 
 
Pupils from both schools have
been engaged in a programme of consultation about what is important
to them in their new school buildings.
 
Senior managers regularly
engage with PCAN (Parents of Children with Additional
Needs).  PCAN is the parent-led forum
for all parents and carers of children and young people (aged 0-25
years) with additional needs in Kirklees. 
 
Ward members for the proposed
new sites have been briefed at major milestones.
 
Consultation Process
 
A six-week pre-planning
consultation took place for the Joseph Norton Academy rebuild
between 12 June 2023 and 23 July 2023 with key
stakeholders.  Following the
consultation, a Statement of Community Consultation was
produced. 
 
A six-week pre-planning
consultation is planned for the Woodley School and College rebuild
commenced 7 May 2024 with key stakeholders. A Statement of
Community Consultation will be produced following the
consultation.
 

Content

RESOLVED –
 

1)   
That approval be given for the draw down of capital
funds as outlined in Appendix 4 of the considered report to enable
the appointment of a building contractor to construct a new build
132 place SEMH school on the former Deighton centre site, Deighton
Road, Huddersfield.

2)   
That approval be given to the draw down of capital
funds as outlined in Appendix 4 to enable the appointment of a
specialist contractor to undertake the site clearance of all
buildings on the former high school site on Fernside Avenue,
Almondbury, Huddersfield.

3)   
That approval be given to the draw down of capital
funds to facilitate the settlement of the exit of the former school
site on Fernside Avenue from the PPP1 contract as detailed in
Appendix 4.

4)   
That the allocation of government grant for High
Needs Provision from the Department for Education (DfE) of
£7,056m for Financial Year 2024/25, and which may be used as
a contribution towards the budget for the two new build schools, be
noted.

5)   
That to enable the delivery of the schemes without
returning to Cabinet, the delegated powers contained in the
Council’s Financial Procedure Rules (FPRs) 3.9-3.12, dated
June 2024, may be used to:
 
(i)           
Transfer resources within a programme area without
restrictions.
(ii)         
Transfer resources between any project or programme
area up to a maximum of £2m in any financial year.
(iii)        
Transfer resources within programme areas between
any year within the approved capital plan, subject to compliance
with FPRs 3.9 - 3.12 and notification to the relevant Cabinet
Member and appropriate Ward Members.

6)   
That it be noted, approval to tender and award a
contract for the new build school will be sought in late 2024 once
detailed design of the new Woodley School and College had occurred,
and a pre-tender estimate had been calculated.