Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services seeking  permission to consult on three primary school expansions to take effect from September 2015 and seeking approval for the capital proposals outlined for each school development in order to meet the authority’s statutory duty to secure sufficient school places. Additionally, the report seeks approval for a revised opening date for the Nightingale Academy and presents Design and Cost Reports for three school expansion projects

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report seeking permission to consult on three primary school expansions intended to take effect from September 2015 and seeking approval for the capital proposals outlined for each school development in order to meet the authority’s statutory duty to secure sufficient school places. Additionally, approval was sought for a revised opening date for the Nightingale Academy and the report presented Design and Cost Reports for three school expansion projects.

Each of the proposals were detailed in Appendices A to D attached to the report.

A comment made by a Member in respect of the need to establish a comprehensive city wide policy for school places provision was noted. In response, officers confirmed that work was ongoing to continue to develop the draft strategy previously presented to Executive Board on 17^th July 2013 in partnership with City Development and Scrutiny Board in order to identify appropriate provision. Officers also provided further detail on the difficulties experienced in developing the Rufford Park expansion proposals and the establishment of the new Nightingale Primary School

RESOLVED –

a)  That in respect of the proposals contained within Appendix A, approval be given for consultation to commence on proposals to expand Broadgate Primary School from a capacity of 210 pupils to 420 pupils with an increase in the admission number from 30 to 60 with effect from September 2015;

b)  That in respect of the proposals contained within Appendix B -

• Approval be given for the opening of the Nightingale Academy on 1 September 2014.
• Authorisation be granted for the programme expenditure of £10,026.3k and Authority to Spend from capital scheme number 16505/FLS/000 to build the new Nightingale Primary Academy at Florence Street.
• That the programme dates identified in the submitted report in relation to the implementation of this decision be noted. The final delivery date for this scheme is September 2015.
• To note that the Director of Children’s Services is responsible for implementation.

c) That in respect of the proposals contained within Appendix C

• Authorisation be given for expenditure of £2.141m from capital scheme number 16585/SHL/000 to enable the construction of additional accommodation at Sharp Lane Primary School.
• That the programme dates identified in this report in relation to the implementation of this decision be noted. The final delivery date for this scheme is December 2014.
• To note that the Director of Children’s Services is responsible for implementation.

d) That in respect of the proposals contained within Appendix D

• That Option 1 be approved - to deliver an expansion of Rufford Park Primary School, where the PFI provider delivers the expansion scheme and risk is transferred to the Council, and ultimately to the Trust if the school converts.
• That authorisation of expenditure of £1,430,000 from capital scheme number 16585/RUF/PH2 be granted for Phase 2 works to construct a new two storey extension at Rufford Park Primary School.
• To note the programme dates identified in this report in relation to the implementation of this decision. The final delivery date for this scheme is September 2014.
• To note that the Director of Children’s Services is responsible for implementation.