Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 27, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED:   1.  The outcomes of the informal stage of consultation and Equality Impact Analysis provided as Appendix 1 were considered;   2.  Whether to publish a statutory notice and proposal for the closure of St Dominic’s RC Primary School was considered;   3.  Proceeding to the next stage of the statutory process by publishing the notice and initiating the statutory representation period, which will run from Thursday 6 February to Wednesday 5 March 2025, was agreed.   REASONS FOR DECISION   The recommendations are made in order to determine the Council’s response to the consultation proposals to close St Dominic’s RC Primary School on 31 August 2025.   Prior to determination of the initial proposals and during the consultation period a number of alternatives were explored to support a sustainable St Dominic’s RC Primary School. These were discussed in detail with the School Governing Body and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster Board (RCDOW) in a series of meetings held between 12 September 2024 and 14 January 2025. Unfortunately, no alternatives were found to be viable. The reasons for the recommendation together with the alternatives considered and the explanations as to why they could not be pursued have been set out in Appendix 2.   It is therefore recommended that Cabinet agree to the publication of a statutory notice proposal to close (discontinue) St Dominic’s RC Primary School on 31 August 2025.   DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED   Cabinet could decide not to proceed to the next stage of the statutory consultation, in which case the Council would not be able to proceed with the closure proposal for St Dominic’s RC Primary School. The Council would then have to decide on how the school’s budget deficit would be funded beyond the 2024/25 school year, given that it is not financially viable and is most unlikely to see a sufficient increase in its pupil numbers for the situation to change in the foreseeable future.   Cabinet could decide to delay its decision on proceeding to the next stage of the statutory consultation, but this would mean that the school’s financial position would be very likely to worsen, impacting on the quality of education for its current pupils and leaving an even bigger budget deficit, should the school close later than the proposed date of 31 August 2025.  Officers are convinced that any delay would not be in the best interests of educational provision in the area.