Purpose

To approve the formal proposal of schools to
be included in Phase 1 and associated capital expenditure.

Content

1.     
That the formal proposal for schools to be included in Phase 1 of
the Special Educational Needs Provision Expansion Programme and
associated capital expenditure be approved.

 

2.     
That the undertaking of required statutory processes including
consultation in relation to the expansion of Green Park School be
approved.
 

3.     
That the allocation of £1.1 million from the approved capital
Budget High Needs Capital Programme – Future Schemes to
Westcroft School expansion project be approved.
 

4.     
That the allocation of £800,000 from the approved capital
Budget High Needs Capital Programme – Future Schemes to
Palmers Cross Primary School Resource Base project be approved.
 

5.     
That the allocation of £750,000 from the approved capital
Budget High Needs Capital Programme – Future Schemes to
Ormiston NEW Academy Resource Base project be approved.
 

6.     
That the Council be authorised to enter into all legal agreements
in relation to the schemes.

 

7.     
That it be noted that the Local Authority (LA) has a statutory duty
to:
·      
ensure the sufficient school places are available within their area
for every child of school age whose parents wish them to have
one
·      
to promote high educational standards, to ensure fair access to
educational opportunity, and;
·      
to help fulfil every child’s educational potential.
 
The LA must also
ensure that there are sufficient schools in its area and promote
diversity and parental choice.
 

In addition, there is a statutory duty in the Children and Families
Act 2014 requiring LA’s to keep provision for children and
young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
under review (including its sufficiency).

 

8.     
That it be noted that the funding for the proposed expansion of
Green Park School would be subject to approval through the
appropriate governance mechanisms including an Individual Executive
Decision Notice.

 

9.     
That it be noted that the Regional Schools Commissioner is
responsible for determining if academies can expand and the Council
is not fully appraised of all the information which decisions are
based on, therefore, the Council is not in full control of all the
factors relating to the effective and timely supply of school
places.
 

10.  
That it be noted that due to the potential level of investment
required for this expansion programme, Basic Need and High Needs
capital allocations could be insufficient for future schemes. There
is potential for a proportion of future schemes that would need to
be funded by prudential borrowing.
 

11.  
The projects within the report are reflected in the Capital
Programme and included in the Capital Budget Outturn 2023-24
including Quarter One Capital Budget Monitoring 2024-25 report also
on this agenda.