To seek support for the consultation by Arnold Academy, Barton-Le-Clay and Church End Lower School, Marston Moretaine to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018.

1.      That the proposed commencement of consultation by Arnold Academy (middle), Barton Le Clay to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018 be supported.

2.      That the publication of the statutory proposal for the proposed expansion of Church End Lower School (Forest End campus), Marston Moretaine to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018 be supported.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought support:

·         for the proposed consultation by Arnold Academy, Barton-Le-Clay, to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each middle school year group) by September 2018; and

·         for the publication of the official proposal for the proposed expansion of Church End Lower School (Forest End campus) Marston Moretaine, to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2018.

The Executive Member explained that recommendation 3 within the report had been withdrawn at this stage, following information received from the Department for Education on free school bids.

In response to a question, the Executive Member recognised the limitations of the current pupil yield from new housing development.  The current pupil yield was 0.4 children per property, but this measure might merit review.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council continued to meets its statutory obligations to provide sufficient school places.

RESOLVED

1.      that the proposed commencement of consultation by Arnold Academy (middle), Barton Le Clay to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018 be supported; and

2.      that the publication of the statutory proposal for the proposed expansion of Church End Lower School (Forest End campus), Marston Moretaine to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018 be supported.

This report seeks support for the proposed consultation by Arnold Academy (middle), Barton Le Clay, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each middle school year group) by September 2018.

The Committee’s support is also sought for the publication of the official proposal for the proposed expansion of Church End Lower School (Forest End campus) Marston Moretaine, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2018.

The Executive Member for Education and Skills introduced a report which highlighted proposals in relation to the requirement of additional school places.

In light of the report Members discussed the following:-

·           Funding had been ring fenced for this initiative and was included within the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

·           Temporary accommodation could be provided for pupils if there was an identified need.

·           The need to secure Section 106 contributions to offset possible parking problems around schools, which could be exacerbated by further expansion and whether there was a need to amend current policy to allow greater control over this element.

·           An indication that the number of pupils per housing allocation was increasing, creating additional pressure.

RECOMMENDED:-

1.         That the Committee support the 3 recommendations as set out within the Executive report.

2.         That the Committee recognises the occasions when school expansions may lead to problems relating to parking outside of schools

3.         That the Committee support, where appropriate and in line with current policy, the requirement to work closely with developers and planning to secure Section 106 contributions, enabling a broad range of mitigations to be introduced with regard (2) above.

4.         That the Executive recognise the increasing pupil yield from new housing developments and additional levels of young families settling in Central Bedfordshire was creating a pressure on existing school places.

Councillor Berry abstained from recommendation 2 and 3 in light of his Membership on the Development Management Committee.