Decision details

To approve the following elements associated with the SEMH Programme:

·  Funding of the expenditure of all design fees & survey costs up to the financial close/design freeze milestone, costs to be confirmed in the final version of the report.

·  Delegation of the approval of design and cost reports for the new SEMH schools to the Director of Children’s Services in conjunction with the Basic Need Programme Board and in consultation with the appropriate Executive Member.

·  Approve a package of essential ‘early works’ and off-site Highways work at the East and South developments, costs to be confirmed in the final version of the report.

·  Approve the ring fencing of any capital receipts generated from the sale of three existing properties currently in use as BESD/PRU facilities, in order to provide funding towards the SEMH Programme, which has been supported by Asset Management Board.

Further to Minute No. 93, 18th November 2015, the Director of Children’s Services, the Director of Adult Social Services and the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a joint report which presented proposals regarding investment in Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision. The report outlined key statutory duties, the national policy framework, together with the costs and benefits of the main options being considered. In addition, the report provided details of the proposed construction programme and sought approval of the relevant injections into the capital programme and related authority to spend.

Members welcomed the investment which was proposed and the fact that such proposals would enable children and young people to remain in the city, rather than having to travel outside of Leeds to receive such provision.

Responding to an enquiry, the Board received assurances around the priority which was being given to ensuring that the proposals would meet the bespoke needs of service users.

In commenting upon the report, Councillor Golton drew the Board’s attention to his role as a school governor, and given the issues that he had experienced with partners delivering a construction programme as part of that role, he sought assurances around ensuring the high quality of the design, together with the monitoring of associated costs. In response, officers provided the Board with the relevant assurances on such matters. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the case for change to SEMH provision, as detailed within the submitted report, be endorsed;

(b)  That the injection of £16,469.2k of Departmental Borrowing into the Capital Programme be approved;

(c)  That the injection of £12,212k of Leeds City Council Borrowing into the Capital Programme be approved;

(d)  That the principle of ring-fencing capital receipts from the sale of Elmete Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD) Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC), Burley Park Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and the Meanwood Centre be agreed, subject to a dispensation being granted by the Department for Education for the use of any such receipts;

(e)  That the authority to spend £45m be approved, subject to individual Design and Cost Reports being brought forward at appropriate design freeze stages for approval by the Learning Places Programme Board;

(f)  That it be noted that the Deputy Director for Children’s Services is responsible for the oversight of this programme.

The decision requested within this report follows the Executive Board decision taken in November 2015 relating to the holistic SEMH programme and the realignment of Leeds’ behavioural continuum. Extensive consultation has taken place upon the principals of the transition from BESD provision to SEMH. This report relates purely to the construction process required as a consequence of the outcome of previous consultation. Extensive consultation has taken place has taken place on the principals of the construction programme. Executive members and local ward members have been briefed throughout the design development process. Regular bulletins have been issued to staff and carers during design development, with sessions held with staff on the new building proposals. Local residents are to be consulted on all three schemes prior to planning applications being submitted.

Leader of Council and Executive Member for Economy and Culture

Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Children and Families

Killingbeck & Seacroft Ward Members

Middleton Park Ward Members

Weetwood Ward Members

Leeds City Council Planning Department

Leeds City Council Highways Department

Leeds City Council Asset Management Department

Leeds City Council Parks & Countryside

Staff at the existing BESD schools

Local residents in the affected wards

Local community groups via the South Leeds Youth Hub

Wellspring Academy Trust