To consider the next steps with the commissioning of new school places in Fairfield Parish.

1.         That the proposal of the Governing Body of Fairfield Park Lower School to permanently expand onto a second site from a 2 form entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 3 to 9, to a 4 form of entry (600 place) lower school for pupils aged 3 to 9 also providing a 60 place nursery, increasing the school’s published admission number from 60 to 120 with effect from 1 September 2017, be approved, thereby approving the commencement of the project and related expenditure, subject to the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 1 September 2016.

2.         To authorise the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education and Skills, to approve any contractual arrangements necessary to undertake capital works required to deliver the proposed project in this report.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that set out the outcome of the consultation exercise for the commissioning of new lower school places within the Parish of Fairfield from September 2017.  The consultation had concluded on 9 Mach 2016 and 16 responses had been received of which 14 respondents had supported the proposed expansion.

Reason for decision:  To ensure the Council continues to comply with its legal obligation to meet the needs of a growing population.

RESOLVED

1.         that the proposal of the Governing Body of Fairfield Park Lower School to permanently expand onto a second site from a 2 form entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 3 to 9, to a 4 form of entry (600 place) lower school for pupils aged 3 to 9 also providing a 60 place nursery, increasing the school’s published admission number from 60 to 120 with effect from 1 September 2017, be approved, thereby approving the commencement of the project and related expenditure, subject to the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 1 September 2016; and

2.         to authorise the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education and Skills, to approve any contractual arrangements necessary to undertake capital works required to deliver the proposed project in this report.