Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mike Stoneman (Deputy Director Children, Families and Education - Education) and Caroline Corcoran (Head of Sufficiency, Participation and Resources). 

Councillor Suzy Horton declared a personal interest as she is Vice Chair of governors at Craneswater Junior School. 

Purpose of report

To seek approval to consult stakeholders on a revised Transport Statement for Post-16 Learners with SEND. 

Councillor Hockaday advised that she had agreed to hear this item first as the Head of Inclusion had to attend another meeting. 

(TAKE IN REPORT)

Julia Katherine, Head of Inclusion introduced the report.

DECISIONS:  The Cabinet Member:

(1)   Agreed to the revised Transport Policy Statement for Post-16 Learners with SEND being consulted on with stakeholders between 16^th April and 11^th May 2018.

(2)   Agreed that delegated authority be given to the Director of Children, Families and Education to agree the final version of the policy following this consultation period so that it can by published, as required, by 31^st May and implemented from September 2018. 

Purpose of report

This report sets out the outcome of the statutory consultation which was undertaken between 13^th January 2018 and 10^th February 2018 on the proposal to change the age range of Penhale Infant School and Nursery.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

(1)  consider the response to the statutory consultation carried out on the proposal to change the age range of Penhale Infant School and Nursery

(2)  authorise the Director for Children, Families and Education to implement the proposal so that Penhale Infant School and Nursery becomes a school for pupils aged 2 to 7 years of age from 1st April 2018

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Chris Williams, Pupil Place Planning & Capital Strategy Officer.

The Cabinet Member and Councillor Horton as opposition spokesperson said that this was a very positive change. 

DECISIONS: The Cabinet Member

(1)       Considered the response to the statutory consultation carried out on the proposal to change the age range of Penhale Infant School and Nursery.

(2)       Authorised the Director for Children, Families and Education to implement the proposal so that Penhale Infant School and Nursery becomes a school for pupils aged 2 to 7 years of age from 1st April 2018.

Purpose of report

This report sets out the outcome of the statutory consultation which was undertaken between 29^th January 2018 and 26^th February 2018 on the proposal to change the age range of Willows Centre for Children.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

(1)  Consider the response to the statutory consultation carried out on the proposal to change the age range of Willows Centre for Children.

(2)  Authorise the Director for Children, Families and Education to implement the proposal, so that Willows Centre for Children becomes a school for pupils aged 2 to 7 years of age from 1st September 2018.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Chris Williams, Pupil Place Planning & Capital Strategy Officer. 

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, Mr Williams said that officers are confident that the building work will be carried out by 1 September 2018.  Officers have worked very closely with the management at the Willows to ensure the accommodation will be ready in time and fit for purpose. The accommodation will be a refurbishment and internal configuration of the existing building and in an area that can be isolated from the rest of the school so works can take place during term time.  Officers are going through a procurement process and will be ready for 1 September as planned. 

DECISIONS: the Cabinet Member

(1)Considered the response to the statutory consultation carried out on the proposal to change the age range of Willows Centre for Children.

(2) Authorised the Director for Children, Families and Education to implement the proposal, so that Willows Centre for Children becomes a school for pupils aged 2 to 7 years of age from 1st September 2018.

Purpose of report

To seek approval for the individual condition projects that form part of the £1,100,000 schools condition modernisation programme 2018-19.

RECOMMENDED that:

a)The school modernisation "urgent condition" projects as set out in Section 4 of the report be approved.

b)   Power be delegated to the Deputy Director of Children, Families and Education, to approve the entering into contracts for the proposed capital works set out in this report.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Chris Williams, Pupil Place Planning & Capital Strategy Officer. 

In response to a question from Councillor Horton, Mr Williams explained that there are a backlog of repairs and maintenance and it is a difficult decision to make as to what is an immediate priority.  Officers have to make an informed decision on what they know about those systems and how likely it is they will keep running in difficult times.  This means that there are often a number of competing projects so they will keep contingency if there is a real emergency which is often dictated by the extreme weather conditions.  

The Cabinet Member confirmed with Mr Williams that these urgent condition projects will be monitored.  Mr Williams said they are and for those projects that are not undertaken as part of the programme, surveys and monitoring is carried out to ensure there are no further setbacks. 

DECISIONS: that
(1) The school modernisation "urgent condition" projects as set out in Section 4 of the report be approved.

(2)   Power be delegated to the Deputy Director of Children, Families and Education, to approve the entering into contracts for the proposed capital works set out in this report.