To seek approval for the commencement of capital expenditure for the temporary expansion of pupil numbers at Thomas Johnson Lower School, Lidlington to allow the school to admit up to 30 pupils by 2018 and 2019.

1.         That the commencement of capital expenditure, as set out in the report, be approved subject to the granting of planning permissions under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act for the temporary expansion of Thomas Johnson Lower School and Biggleswade Academy.

2.         To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services to enter all appropriate legal documentation to implement the schemes.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought approval for the commencement of capital expenditure for the temporary expansion of pupil numbers at:

·         Thomas Lower School, Lidlington to allow the school to admit up to 30 pupils by 2018; and

·         Biggleswade Academy by an additional 60 pupils for 2018 and 2019.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Education and Skills explained that the Council was focussed on ensuring school places were available for local children.  He acknowledged the comments from the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  He agreed to provide a briefing paper to the relevant Members on the cost of new school places per pupil.  Each school had different requirements to enable it to expand, in particular with Biggleswade Academy it was proposed that the additional accommodation included circulation and toilets, refurbishment and remodelling of the dining space, car parking and hard play.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to provide sufficient school places.

RESOLVED

1.         that the commencement of capital expenditure, as set out in the report, be approved subject to the granting of planning permissions under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act for the temporary expansion of Thomas Johnson Lower School and Biggleswade Academy; and

2.         to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services to enter all appropriate legal documentation to implement the schemes.

To seek approval for the release of land (subject to planning) for the new Pix Brook Academy Free School and for the Council to manage the delivery of the build on behalf of the DfE.

1.         That the release of land (subject to planning) for the new free school be approved and that the Council deliver the new free school on behalf of the Department for Education.

2.         To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, to enter into all appropriate legal documentation to implement the scheme, including the building contract and ancillary documents, funding agreement, development agreement, Academy lease and all contracts required to secure delivery and operation of the new school.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought approval for the release of land (subject to planning permission) for the new Pix Brook Academy Free School and for the Council to manage the delivery of the build on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE).  The construction of the Free School was to be funded by the DfE through the Free Schools Programme. 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to provide additional school places due to a deficit of school places in the area.

RESOLVED

1.      that the release of land (subject to planning) for the new free school be approved and that the Council deliver the new free school on behalf of the Department for Education; and

2.      to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, to enter into all appropriate legal documentation to implement the scheme, including the building contract and ancillary documents, funding agreement, development agreement, Academy lease and all contracts required to secure delivery and operation of the new school.