Agenda item

To consider a report by the Legal Advisor to the Board explaining the role of the Board in considering objections to the following proposals and to make recommendations to the Executive Board to assist the Executive Board in reaching a decision in relation to the proposals:

Statutory proposals to expand Victoria Lane Primary School by increasing the admission limit from 50 to 60 from September 2010 and linked proposals to expand Whitkirk Primary School by increasing the admission limit from 45 to 60 from September 2010 and to establish SEN provision for 14 places

(Report attached)

The Board considered a report by the Legal Advisor to the School Organisation Advisory Board explaining the role of the Board in considering objections to the following proposals and to make recommendations to the Executive Board to assist the Executive Board in reaching a decision in relation to the following proposals:

Statutory proposals to expand Victoria Primary School by increasing the admission limit from 50 to 60 from September 2010 and linked proposals to expand Whitkirk Primary School by increasing the admission limit from 45 to 60 from September 2010 and to establish SEN provision for 14 places.

It was reported that there were five responses to the Statutory Notices in respect of Victoria Primary School and Whitkirk Primary School

Three objections to the expansion of Victoria Primary School and two objections to the expansion of Whitkirk Primary School

The Board considered the following background documentation:

• Executive Board Report 12^th February 2010 – Outcome of Consultation for the expansion of primary provision for September 2010
• Executive Board Report 12^th February 2010 – Outcome of Consultation on the expansion of primary provision at Gildersome Primary School in 2011 and at Richmond Hill Primary School in 2012
• Executive Board Report 14^th October 2009 – Proposal for Statutory Consultation for the expansion of Primary Provision for September 2010
• Executive Board Report 22^nd July 2009 – Proposed Increases in Admission Limits for September 2010
• Executive Board Report 17^th June 2009 – Proposal to add Specialist Community Provision at Whitkirk Primary School for Pupils with complex physical difficulties and medical needs
• Executive Board Report June 2009 – Expanding Primary Place Provision
• Seven letters of representation

Members discussed the proposals, concentrating on the following issues:

·  The recent increase in the birth rate leading to an increase in existing provision

·  Possible traffic access arrangements as a consequence of the proposed expansion plans

The Chair adjourned the meeting in order for groups to discuss the proposals

The groups entitled to vote, and in attendance i.e. the Schools Group and the Further /Higher Education Group voted were as follows:

·  The Schools Group voted in favour of the proposals because   of the need for resource/ provision in the area. The Group   expressed concern at the possible access implications as a   consequence of the expansion to Victoria Primary School   and Whitkirk Primary School and suggested that officers   from Education Leeds and the Highways Department work   together to resolve the issue. 

·  The Further / Higher Education Group voted in favour of the   proposal for the reason of no similar provision in the area. The Group also expressed concern about the parking

RESOLVED –

  It was the view of the School Organisation Advisory Board that the   Executive Board be recommended to support the proposals