Agenda and minutes

Resolved – That Councillor David Renard be chair for 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 18^th November 2015.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th November 2015 be confirmed and signed.

There were no public questions.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and the Head of Education, submitted a joint report inviting the Cabinet Panel to consider lowering the age provision that is recognised by the Local Authority as reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) at The Crowdys Hill School from 11-19yr olds to 4 -19yr olds. It was noted that the report was necessary to enable the Local Authority to create additional provision that is reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs, (SEN) by an lowering the age range to provide support for children from 4-19 years with Complex Learning Difficulties.

Councillor Foley introduced the report, outlining the background to the proposed lowering of the age range at the school and expanding on the Council’s responses to issues of concern raised following the full and detailed consultation. In particular, Councillor Foley advised the meeting of the specific measures to be taken, and proposed to be taken, to address the specific concerns around traffic and car parking issues, including the provision of a turning circle as part of the new build project at the school and the provision of a further entrance, from Jefferies Avenue, to relieve any additional traffic pressures in residential areas   

Councillor Foley asked that it be recorded in the minutes that the consultation exercise carried out in support of the proposal, which ran from 8^th March to 29^th April 2016, had encompassed all residents in the areas immediately surrounding the school, Ward Councillors and parents with children at the school (via a targeted leaflet drop). She advised that a consultation session had been held to give interested parties an opportunity to view the proposed plans and to put questions about the proposal.  

Resolved – That the Cabinet Panel on School Organisation approves the proposals, as set out in the statutory notice attached as Appendix 2 to the report, to lower the age provision that is recognised by the Local Authority as reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) at Crowdys Hill School, Swindon from 11-19yr olds to 4-19yr olds and increase capacity by 36 places, with an implementation date of 1st September 2016, subject to the granting of planning approval.

In reaching its decision, the Cabinet Panel confirms that it -

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

·         is satisfied that

o   it has the necessary information in order to make the decision referred to above,

o   the Statutory Notice complied with the statutory requirements,

o   the statutory consultation was carried out properly prior to the publication of the Notice, and

o   the Notice did not relate to any other published proposal.

·         has carefully considered the factors to be considered by the decision makers, as set out in the statutory guidance from the Department for Children, Schools and Families entitled ‘Making Changes to a Maintained Mainstream School.

The Cabinet Panel’s decision is approve the proposals as set out in the statutory to:

1)        Lower the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.