Agenda and minutes

Resolved – That Councillor David Renard Chair this meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Renard took the Chair.

Introduction

The Chair explained that this was not a meeting of the Cabinet and referred to the distinct role played by the Cabinet Panel. He made it clear that the Cabinet Panel had no pre-determined view on the items under consideration and would make its decisions on the evidence before it and on the questions and comments arising at the meeting.

The Chair referred to the process to be adopted at the meeting.

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

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 31^st October 2012.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 31^st October 2012, be confirmed as a correct record.

            No questions were asked in accordance with Standing Order 28.

The Board Director, Commissioning, the Head of Commissioning–Economy and Attainment and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services submitted a joint report concerning the proposal for the permanent expansion of Orchid Vale Primary School from September 2013 to two forms of entry subject to planning permission.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and the Education Place Planning Manager, Commissioning-Economy and Attainment, highlighted the key aspects of the report, in particular, (a) the increasing pressure for additional primary school places in North Swindon and other areas of the Borough, (b) the outcome of the consultation process undertaken by the Council, (c) the Council’s response to the comments received as part of the consultation, (d) the success of the school and its capacity to expand, (e) the successful temporary expansion that had already taken place, and (f) that the majority of those who had responded to the consultation were supportive of the proposed permanent expansion of the school.

The Panel noted that the Chair of the Governors of the School, Mr Andrew Carr, was present at the meeting and that the School had confirmed its support for the proposed expansion and that this support was shared across the school community with no objections being received to the public notice.

The Chair asked for clarification on the final costs associated with the proposed expansion and that the expansion would not result in more pressure on existing school facilities such as the “School Hall” and “School Office”. The Education Place Planning Manager clarified the current funding position and confirmed the budget that had been made available by the Council. Discussions were on-going with the Private Finance Initiative Company involved in the School on the likely on-going maintenance and cleaning costs associated with the expansion. The overall plans for the expansion recognised and made provision for the anticipated additional demand on shared facilities.

Councillor Dale Heenan noted the proposed re-siting of the new provision that would avoid construction taking place on the existing playground area. He believed this was a clear indication of the Council listening and responding to issues and concerns that had arisen through the consultation process.

The Chair concluded that he believed there was a clear case for the proposed expansion of the school. He noted the pressure on places, particularly for this successful school, the general support for the provision from the school community as made clear by the pre-statutory and statutory consultation findings, the lack of negative responses to the proposal and the successful temporary expansion that had already taken place.

Resolved – That the Cabinet Panel on School Organisation approves the proposals to expand permanently Orchid Vale Primary School from September 2013, subject to the granting of planning permission, as set out in the statutory notice attached as Appendix 2.

            In reaching its decision, the Cabinet Panel confirmed that it:–

·        had carefully considered the joint report and the representations made at the meeting by Council Officers.

·        was satisfied that:

·         it had the necessary information in order to make the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, the Board Director, Commissioning and the Head of Commissioning-Economy and Attainment  submitted a joint report concerning the proposal for the expansion of provision that was recognised by the Local Authority as reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) at The Chalet School, Liden Drive, Swindon, by up to 10 pupils to a capacity of 55, and setting out the outcome of the consultation undertaken following the publication of the statutory notice on the proposal.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and the Education Place Planning Manager highlighted the key aspects of the report, in particular, the increasing pressure for the establishment of further specialist provision within Swindon reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs, in order to provide support for children from 3 to 11 years who had Complex Learning Difficulties, including children with Autistic Spectrum Condition.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services,referred to (a) the success and popularity of the Chalet School, (b) the recognition of the existing expertise of the School, (c) the continuing pressures for additional specialist provision within the Borough, (d) the outcome of the consultation process undertaken by the Council, and (e) the budget that had been agreed by the Council in February 2013 to support the expansion.

The Panel noted that the school involved had confirmed its support for the proposed expansion of specialist provision and that this support was shared across the school community with no objections being received to the public notice.

 The Chair asked for clarification that the School would have the necessary facilities and staffing in place by September 2013 to meet the requirements of the additional pupils. The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and the Education Place Planning Manager confirmed that the School was confident that the necessary staffing and facilities would be in place for the proposed expansion.

Councillor Dale Heenan highlighted an apparent disparity in the numbers referred to in the report and in the statutory notice. The Education Place Planning Manager explained that the numbers were correct. He referred to the capacity of the School and that the Council had previously determined to use its discretionary powers to increase this by three places. The Notice therefore referred to an increase of a further seven places and this resulted in a proposed permanent expansion of the School by ten places. He referred to the development of provision in the longer term and that the current proposal aimed to have the minimum effect on the dynamics of the school at this time.

The Chair commented that he believed there was a clear case for the proposed expansion of the Chalet School. He drew attention to the support for the provision from the school community as made clear by the pre-statutory and statutory consultation findings and the lack of negative responses to the proposal. 

Resolved – That the Cabinet Panel on School Organisation approves the proposals to expand the provision that is recognised by the Local Authority as reserved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.