The Staffordshire Council Property Sub-Committee convened to discuss land transfers for St. Bernadette's Catholic Primary School and St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, as well as a lease variation for Alleyne's Academy Stone. The committee approved the transfer of land for both primary schools to the Birmingham Roman Catholic Diocese trustees. Additionally, they approved a variation of the academy lease for Alleyne's Academy Stone to permit subletting of a portion of the site to Stone Old Alleynians Football Club.

Alleyne's Academy Stone Lease Variation

The committee approved the recommendation to amend the existing academy lease for Alleyne's Academy Stone to allow the subletting of the former wet-changing areas to Stone Old Alleynians Football Club. Councillor Chris Large, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, explained that the current lease does not permit subletting, but the school intends to demolish its swimming pool and allow the football club to use part of the site for their activities and a clubhouse.

Councillor Chris Large clarified the unusual nature of the decision:

So, normally, we do not allow subletting of school land under the academy lease. And you'll kind of appreciate why that might be the case. It's because they are only leased under relatively tight rules just for the operation of the school.

He explained that the school found the existing facilities unaffordable to run, and that the council had previously invested in leisure facilities in the town. He also noted that there was no longer a curriculum requirement for the school to provide swimming.

Councillor Chris Large stated that the council's school organisation team had determined that the land was unlikely to be needed for school expansion within the next 11 years, which was a key consideration in allowing the subletting.

Councillor Jill Hodd, member for Stone Urban, expressed her strong support for the proposal, stating that it is urgently needed and would be a tremendous asset to the community and would enhance community engagement and promote mental health and well-being and physicality .

Land Transfer at St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School Hednesford

The committee approved the transfer of the freehold interest of land at St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School Hednesford to the Birmingham Roman Catholic Diocese trustees, in accordance with the School Standards and Frameworks Act 1988¹, as amended by the Education Inspections Act 2006². Councillor Chris Large stated that this transfer was a similar situation to the transfer at St. Bernadette's Catholic Primary School.

Land Transfer at St. Bernadette's Catholic Primary School Wombourne

The committee approved the transfer of land at St. Bernadette's Catholic Primary School Wombourne to the Birmingham Roman Catholic Diocese trustees. Councillor Chris Large explained that the transfer of the freehold interest in the land, specifically the access road and car park, was in accordance with the School Standards and Frameworks Act 1988, as amended by the Education Inspections Act 2006.