Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of Capacity Planning and Sufficiency, Children’s Services, on the outcome of the statutory notice on the proposal to expand Hollybush Primary School and to consider the response to the representation received and to make a recommendation to the Executive Board to assist in reaching a final decision on the proposal.

The report describes the proposal, brought forward as part of a programme of expansion of primary provision to ensure the local authority meets its legal duty to secure sufficient school places; and the representation received

The proposal being to lower the age limit of Hollybush Primary School from 3 to 2 with effect from January 2015 and to increase the capacity at Hollybush Primary School from 420 pupils to 630 pupils, increasing the admission limit in reception from 60 to 90 from September 2016.

The School Organisation Advisory Board considered a report by the Capacity Planning and Sufficiency Team regarding the outcome of a statutory notice on proposals to expand primary provision in Bramley for 2016 and to make a recommendation to the Executive Board in reaching a decision in relation to the proposal to lower the age limit of Hollybush Primary School from 3 to 2 with effect from January 2015 and to increase the capacity at Hollybush Primary School from 420 pupils to 630 pupils, increasing the admission limit in reception from 60 to 90 from September 2016.

The Board considered the proposals having regard to the following background documents:

·  Report of Capacity Planning and Sufficiency 15 October 2014 – Outcome of statutory notice on proposals to expand primary provision in Bramley for 2016

·  Public consultation document 6 May 2014 to 6 June 2014 – Proposals to increase primary school places in Bramley

·  Report of the Director of Children’s Services to Executive Board, 16 July 2014 – Outcome of consultation to increase primary school places in Leeds City Council

·  A representation received from a member of the public.

Mrs E Lowes, Deputy Capacity Planning and Sufficiency Manager, Children’s Services addressed the proposals.  In particular the following matters were highlighted:

·  Reference to the consultation period and statutory notice.

·  The proposals would meet demographic demand and parental preference.

·  Statutory guidance had been followed and was highlighted in the report.

·  There had only been one objection to the proposals.

·  The proposals had been advertised in the school and at local private nurseries.  There had been drop in consultation sessions at the school and information was given at a parents evening during the summer term.

No questions were raised by the Board and the Chair asked the representatives of Children’s Services and the School to leave the room in order to discuss the proposals.  The Board considered the concerns raised during the statutory notice period and detailed in the report.

The Board noted the objection raised but felt there was very little that challenged the proposals.

The groups entitled to vote and in attendance i.e. Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England Group; Roman Catholic Church Diocese Group and the Schools Group, voted as follows:-

·  The Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England voted in favour of the proposals to address the need for additional capacity in the area.

·  The Schools Group voted in favour of the proposals to address the need for additional capacity in the area.

·  The Roman Catholic Church Diocese Group voted in favour of the proposals to address the need for additional capacity in the area.

RESOLVED – It was the view of the School Organisation Advisory Board that the Executive Board be recommended to support the proposals to lower the age limit of Hollybush Primary School from 3 to 2 with effect from January 2015 and to increase the capacity from 420 pupils to 630 pupils, increasing the admission limit in reception from 60 to 90 from September 2016