To receive a report on the commissioning of new school places in Leighton Linslade and Cranfield.

1.      That the proposal to expand Cranfield Church of England Academy from its current capacity of 300 places to provide 450 places over two sites with an implementation date of 1 September 2016 be approved, thereby approving the commencement of the project and related expenditure, subject to the approval of the Education Funding Agency and the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 1 August 2015.

2.      That the proposal to expand Leedon Lower Community School from its current capacity of 300 places to provide 450 places with a phased implementation date of 1 September 2015 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 June 2015.

3.      That the proposal to expand Clipstone Brook Lower Community School from its current capacity of 225 places to provide 375 places with a phased implementation date of 1 September 2015 be approved, thereby approving 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 June 2015.

4.      That a School Transport Plan (along with the highways works to mitigate transport impacts) for Cranfield Church of England Academy, Leedon Lower Community School and Clipstone Brook Lower Community School be submitted to the Development Management Committee together with the planning applications for  the expansion proposals  described above.

5.      To authorise the Director of Children’s Services to approve contractual arrangements to undertake capital works required to deliver the proposed projects in this report.

The Chairman invited a public speaker to make her statement in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme. 

1.         Councillor Mrs Ball

Councillor Mrs Ball spoke on behalf of Cranfield Parish Council in relation to the expansion of Cranfield Church of England Academy.  The Parish Council understood the need to expand the Academy, but was  concerned about the access to the school.  The Parish Council wanted to see a pre-construction clause in place to address access issues and a deliverable School Transport Plan. 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that set out the outcome from the consultation and the business case to expand Cranfield Church of England Academy, Leedon Lower Community School and Clipstone Brook Lower Community School. 

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Children’s Services highlighted the criteria set out in the Council’s Policy Principles for Pupil Place Planning in Schools and confirmed that the viability of the proposals had been tested.  He moved the following additional recommendation, which was duly seconded:-

‘That a School Transport Plan (along with the highways works to mitigate transport impacts) for Cranfield Church of England Academy, Leedon Lower Community School and Clipstone Brook Lower Community School be submitted to the Development Management Committee together with the planning applications for  the expansion proposals described above.’

With respect to Cranfield, local Members and the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee reiterated the importance of addressing the anticipated access and traffic management issues.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to comply with its legal obligation to meet the needs of the local demographic.

RESOLVED

1.      that the proposal to expand Cranfield Church of England Academy from its current capacity of 300 places to provide 450 places over two sites with an implementation date of 1 September 2016 be approved, thereby approving the commencement of the project and related expenditure, subject to the approval of the Education Funding Agency and the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 1 August 2015;

2.      that the proposal to expand Leedon Lower Community School from its current capacity of 300 places to provide 450 places with a phased implementation date of 1 September 2015 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 June 2015;

3.      that the proposal to expand Clipstone Brook Lower Community School from its current capacity of 225 places to provide 375 places with a phased implementation date of 1 September 2015 be approved, thereby approving 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 June 2015;

4.      that a School Transport Plan (along with the highways works to mitigate transport impacts) for Cranfield Church of England Academy, Leedon Lower Community School and Clipstone Brook Lower Community School be submitted to the Development Management Committee together with the planning applications for  the expansion proposals  described above; and

5.      to authorise the Director of Children’s Services to approve contractual arrangements to undertake capital works required to deliver the proposed projects in this report.