Issue - meetings

Further to Minute 124 (30 June 2014), the Cabinet Member for Education and Schools presented the latest report in respect of the progress of various school expansion projects aimed at addressing the demand for school places in the Borough, together with details of the funding allocations from the Department for Education (DfE) and the proposed projects to which the resources would be allocated.

The Cabinet Member gave an update on the latest pupil population projection figures, which included reference to additional pressures as a result of 230 late applications for Year 7 places from September 2015 being received since the national offer date of 1 March 2015.  A number of steps were being taken to mitigate the situation and discussions would continue with Headteachers and Governing Bodies to ensure that the programme of expansions was maintained.

With regard to funding issues, the Cabinet Member referred to the proposed allocations which included the reallocation of previously agreed funding to enable adjustments, agreed with the DfE, to be made to the extent and/or timing of some projects.  The proposals also covered issues such as the relocation of the Adult College, the potential provision of a loan to enable the Riverside School expansion to be delivered on time and the creation of suitable places for two-year olds.

A general discussion ensued regarding the allocation of the DfE grant funding to Academy / Free Schools and whether it was appropriate to, in effect, direct public money to private bodies. The Cabinet Member for Education and Schools referred to a Memorandum of Understanding that had been entered into with all schools in the Borough which sought to address the borough-wide need for additional school places and the Corporate Director of Children’s Services commented that the allocation of funding from the DfE was on the basis that it would be used to support projects across the school estate and not just community schools.  The Corporate Director also clarified issues in relation to the proposed transfer of the Fanshawe site to Sydney Russell School for the provision of a primary school and the proposed relocation of the Adult College to land adjacent to the main Sydney Russell School site, which would continue to be a Council asset.

The Leader acknowledged the concerns expressed by several colleagues regarding the principles associated with Academy / Free Schools and called for a short adjournment, which commenced at 8.33pm before the meeting resumed at 8.50pm.

On reconvening, the Leader suggested that the shorter-term school expansion plans should proceed to enable the immediate demand pressures to be met but that it would be prudent to review some of the longer-term plans, particularly those to the east of the Borough and primarily in Chadwell Heath and Eastbrook wards to ensure that extra capacity was being delivered to the areas experiencing the highest demand.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the Future Planning Programme to meet Basic Need (including SEN places) 2014 to 2020 as set out in section 2  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117