Issue - meetings

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education, and Skills along with the Corporate Director, Children’s Services, submitted a joint report to identify the number of school places required to meet Swindon’s long-term educational place planning needs until 2026. The report included the expected demographic projections, proposed housing development areas, and the need to support attainment and opportunities for young people across the Town and Borough.

Councillor Holland informed the meeting of an error in the body of the report and the words with sixth form should be deleted from paragraph 3.31. He also referred to a communication that he had received from the Principal of New College.

Councillors Gary Sumner - Cabinet Member for Strategic Initiatives, Transport and Planning - and Brian Ford -Cabinet Member for Adults and Health - asked the Cabinet Member if the study could take into account the need for town centre provision so as to reduce the need for pupils to travel to existing schools. Councillor Holland and the Strategic School Admissions Manager agreed to note these issues.

Resolved That the School Place Planning study update 2020 attached as Appendix 1 to the main report be approved.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.