Agenda item - School Expansion Programme Phase 2 2013/14 - 2017/18

Agenda item

School Expansion Programme Phase 2 2013/14 - 2017/18

A report from the Director of Schools and Children’s Services and Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services is attached. This updates the strategy for the provision of pupil places. (Key decision – reference number 3719)

(Report No.13)

(8.45 – 8.50 pm)

Minutes:

Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People) introduced the report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Services and Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.13) updating the strategy for the provision of pupil places.

 

NOTED

 

1.         that a previous decision of the Cabinet in June 2012 had established phase one of the primary expansion programme. Cabinet approval was now being sought to establish phase two of the school expansion programme, as set out in full in the report. This represented a robust and comprehensive strategy to meet future demand and the Council’s statutory responsibilities. The strategy would be kept under constant review to ensure that the effects of any changes in the Borough including demographic changes and welfare reform, would be taken into account and appropriate action taken. Members noted the current impact of the Government’s housing benefit cap on families in the Borough and across London as a whole.

 

2.         Members’ attention was drawn to sections 1.2, 1.3, 3.2 and 3.3 of the report. Section 3.2 of the report noted the removal of three schools from the current phase of the programme – Oakthorpe, Broomfield and Walker. Discussions would continue with the schools and their Governing Bodies.

 

3.         Andrew Fraser (Director of Schools and Children’s Services) outlined the difficulties that were being faced across London in meeting the statutory responsibilities for the provision of sufficient school places. The Council had used independent evaluations for projected pupil numbers in the Borough. The School Expansion Programme, as detailed in the report, provided a clear framework for the way forward and would provide flexibility in meeting identified needs.

 

4.         Councillor Hamilton expressed her congratulations to the Lead Cabinet Members and Directors for this significant piece of work which would ensure that the Council continued to deliver high quality education for the Borough’s children.

 

5.         Councillor Orhan outlined the new school which was being built at Garfield; the Council had listened to the concerns expressed and was taking appropriate action in moving forward.

 

6.         Councillor Taylor commended the bold and imaginative action which was being taken and expressed the need for sufficient Government funding to be allocated to the Council to meet its basic needs requirements.

 

Alternative Options Considered: Enfield Council had a statutory responsibility to provide the necessary school places. The Primary Expansion Programme created a mechanism to assist with the delivery of extra capacity required. Not providing places could not be considered an option. The following proposals had been considered but rejected:

 

  • Increasing class sizes to over 30 pupils. Current legislation stipulates that Key Stage One classes could not exceed 30 pupils with only one qualified teacher. This did not apply to Key Stage two. However, school accommodation did not normally allow for more than 30 pupils in one class base.
  • The use of community halls as emergency class bases. This option had been explored with a number of head teachers in relation to the development of the Partner School initiative. However, the revised strategy seeks to deliver a programme of permanent expansions.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to approve:

 

1.         the updated strategy to provide the additional school places required between 2013/2014 and 2017/2018.

 

2.         the establishment of the school expansion programme to run from 2013/14 to 2017/18.

 

3.         the recommendation to full Council of a provisional budget of up to £44.318 million to deliver 1,680 extra Council funded Primary school reception places, including the cost of rebuilding and re-configuring existing schools between 2013/14 and 2017/18, subject to availability of funding, agreement of detailed scheme costs, and clear demonstration of value for money.

 

4.         that the projects and budgets for the new build of Garfield Primary School and the main scheme at Grange Park Primary School move into phase two of the school expansion programme with their budgets added to the programme budget referred to in paragraph 2.1.3.

 

5.         delegated authority to the Cabinet Members for Children and Young People and for Finance and Property in consultation with the Director of Schools and Children’s Services and Finance, Resources and Customer Services to take decisions on:

 

·        The individual schools and sites that could be expanded, and decisions on statutory expansions, to meet the need for extra pupil places up to 2017/18.

·        Entering in to contractual arrangements and placing orders for each expansion project; and

·        Conducting any necessary land transactions as individual schemes were developed.

 

6.         delegated authority to the Directors of Schools and Children’s Services and Finance, Resources and Customer Services to take decisions on the:

 

·        Detail of programme and project management arrangements, including any subsequent changes to arrangements that were required.

·        Submission of planning applications; and

·        The appropriate procurement routes for individual schemes.

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL for approval and adoption in the Council’s capital programme.

 

Reason: The Council had an overriding statutory duty to provide sufficient pupil places to meet anticipated demand. The report set out the proposed strategy and delivery arrangements to oversee delivery arrangements for schools with funding secured for expansion, to further develop options for expansion by conducting feasibility studies and consultation with the schools identified and to secure funding through opportunities that become available. This strategy and delivery arrangements would deliver the additional reception places required in the areas of highest demand up to 2017/18. The expanded capacity aimed to provide a higher level of flexibility built in to counter sudden increases in demand.

(Key decision – reference number 3719)

Supporting documents: