Special Free School Project - Acceptance of DfE funding

April 29, 2026 Cabinet (Cabinet collective) Key decision Approved View on council website

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Summary

The Cabinet of Wiltshire Council approved the acceptance of £4.080m in capital grant funding from the Department for Education on 29/04/2026. This funding will be used to deliver at least 80 high needs places for children with SEMH needs across various provision types. The decision also included a budget increase of £4.080m in the SEND High Needs Scheme, to be profiled over 2026/27 and 2027/28.

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Flooding of Wiltshire Council approved the making permanent of the Prohibition of Motor Vehicles (except for access) on Byways HILP21, HILP22 and SEMI9A on 29/04/2026. This decision converts the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to a permanent Traffic Regulation Order. The order prevents the use of these byways as through routes for motor vehicles.

The Cabinet of Wiltshire Council approved the acceptance and signing of the Department for Transport Memorandum of Understanding for the Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Services Fund on 29/04/2026. This secures £206,684,309 in funding for Wiltshire Council from 2026/27 to 2029/30. The decision also delegated authority to the Director Highways and Transport and the Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding to finalise and publish the Local Transport Delivery Plan and manage its delivery.

Full council record

Purpose

Decision to accept DfE funding for provision of high needs places in Wiltshire in lieu of the build of an AP free school.

Decision

Resolved:

Cabinet approves:

  1. 1.    Acceptance of £4.080m capital grant funding from DfE as an alternative to progressing with building of an AP free school in Wiltshire.
  2. 2.    A budget increase of £4.080m in the SEND High Needs Scheme in the Education and Skills Capital Programme, profiled over 2026/27 and2027/28.

Reasons for Decision:

Acceptance of the DfE funding will enable the Council to deliver at least 80 places for children with SEMH needs across a range of provision types, in line with the expectations set out in the proposed national SEND reforms (published by government in February 2026).

It allows delivery of places at pace and with the agility to deliver these in multiple community areas beyond the original two sites proposed in the existing free school bid.

Related Meeting

Cabinet - Wednesday 29 April 2026 10.00 am on April 29, 2026

Supporting Documents

HSSF-33-25 - Appendix 2.pdf
HSSF-33-25 - Report.pdf
HSSF-33-25 - Appendix 1.pdf
HSSF-33-25 - Report.pdf
HSSF-33-25 - Appendix 2.pdf
HSSF-33-25 - Appendix 1.pdf
DFT Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Services Fund 6.pdf
Wiltshire Unitary Authority MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.pdf
Appendix A - Local Transport Delivery Plan Template.pdf
Special Free School Project - Acceptance of DfE funding 5.pdf

Details

OutcomeRecommendations Approved
Decision date29 Apr 2026
Effective from8 May 2026
Expected date19 May 2026
Originally due19 May 2020
Subject to call-inYes