Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 4, 2025

Purpose: The school investment plan aims to set out its strategy and capital investment pipeline for the next 5 years; securing an education estate that provides a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which is sustainable and provides value for money, is fit for current and future needs and reduces environmental impact.

Content: The Cabinet has considered a proposed school investment plan that sets out a proposed strategy and capital investment pipeline for the next 5 years; securing an education estate that provided a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which was sustainable and provided value for money, was fit for current and future needs and reduced environmental impact, and has:-   (1) Agreed the terms outlined in the strategy and the associated investment detailed in the Education Asset Management Plan (Appendix 2).   (2) Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Estates and Asset Management, in consultation with members of the LA’s Capital Board and the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education to procure the works and services, and subsequently determine the outcome of any contract award process for any project specified in the asset management plan.   (3) Delegated authority to the Director of Education, Work, and Skills, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, to determine, allocate, and deploy capital funding to projects, schools, or trusts to create additional mainstream, resource base, special school places.   (4) Delegated authority to the Director for Education, Work, and Skills, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, to instruct the Assistant Director of Governance to negotiate terms and enter into funding agreements as necessary with schools and trusts that are linked to the investment and creation of new school places.   (5) Delegated authority to the Director for Education, Work, and Skills and Assistant Director of Estates and Asset Management, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, to instruct the Assistant Director of Governance to negotiate terms and enter into necessary legal agreements required to successfully convert a school into a multi-academy trust.