Agenda and minutes

Resolved – That Councillor Fionuala Foley Chair this meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Foley took the Chair.

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.

Councillors Mark Edwards, Garry Perkins, David Renard and Keith Williams made personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item 6 (The Permanent Expansion of St. Francis Church of England Primary School) as they served as school governors to schools in the Borough.

Councillor Keith Williams made a further personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 6, as he was a member of the Holy Trinity Church, Shaw.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2008.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2008, be confirmed as a correct record.

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance.

No questions were asked in accordance with Standing Order 28.

The Group Director, Children submitted a report concerning the proposal by St. Francis Church of England Primary School, Taw Hill, Swindon, to permanently expand the School by one form of entry to provide sufficient classroom space to sustain a long-term increase in admission numbers resulting from the development of North Swindon.

The Director of Access and Provision, Mr. Ian Bickerton, outlined the background to the proposal, referred to the consultation process undertaken by the School and the Council, and highlighted the key aspects of the report. He also circulated a supplementary information report concerning the need for the scheme to gain planning permission, and for an agreement to be reached with developers for the change of use of certain areas of land to enable the extension of the School.

Mr. Clive Westall, Headteacher, and Mr. Richard Barrass, Governor, St. Francis Church of England Primary School, explained in detail the proposal for the permanent expansion of the School, and commented on the favourable response to the pre-statutory consultation exercise that had been undertaken on the proposals. It was noted that there had been no negative responses received following the publication of the Statutory Notice on the proposed expansion of the School. Mr. Westall referred to the benefits to the School and to the local community associated with the implementation of the proposals.

The Director of Access and Provision, explained that, subject to the Panel’s approval, the physical expansion of the site, and therefore of the school, would be dependent on the approval of planning permission, and the successful conclusion of negotiations with Taylor Wimpey Ltd. on the change of use of land required for the new school layout. He also highlighted the excellent partnership working there had been on this project between the school, Bristol Diocese and the Local Authority.

The Chair asked Mr. Westall if he believed, given the lack of response to the Statutory Notice, there was real support for the proposals. Mr. Westall commented that, because of the overwhelming support given by the School community at the Pre-Statutory stage, he believed there was a high level of support for the proposals locally, and that it was this high positive response rate that may have impacted on the response rate to the subsequent publication of the Statutory Notice.

Councillor David Renard, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Care, asked whether the School believed its “central facilities” would be capable of supporting an expanded School with an increased number of pupils. Mr. Westall advised on the School’s plans, as part of the overall proposals, to expand its main hall and to increase office accommodation to equip it to deal with the increase in pupil numbers.

The Chair of the Cabinet Panel announced that Cabinet Panel would withdraw for a short period to consider its decision without Children’s Services Officers. The Cabinet Panel then withdrew. The Cabinet Panel later returned and the recommendation was put to the vote.

Resolved – That the Cabinet Panel on School Organisation approves the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.