Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property.

(a)  That the budget allocation, as set out in the Appendix to the report of 6 September 2022, to enable a range of projects to be delivered as part of the SEND Capital Strategy, be approved. 

The projects set out total an approximate delivery of 228 new specialist places for the capital investment plus any yet to be determined variation to the PFI contract at The Sir John Colfox Academy.

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Director for People - Children’s to enter construction contracts at the appropriate time, in line with an existing delegation.

This will be subject to the outcome of the formal consultation process in respect of each project and provided that following procurement, the project is within the set budget level of this Cabinet paper.

(c)  That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People – Children to agree to the commencement of any required 4-week formal consultation period, in line with relevant statutory guidance.

Exercise of this delegation will be necessary if a school is to be required to formally expand their capacity by more than 10% or 20 places as part of this programme of works, at the appropriate time.

Reason for the decision

To show the progress of the implementation of the SEND capital strategy and to approve the next phase of projects for delivery.

The SEND Capital Strategy Implementation Plan was jointly presented by the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property. The recommendations were proposed by Cllr T Ferrari and seconded by Cllr A Parry.

In response to a question regarding academy schools and special education needs, the Corporate Director for Education & Learning advised the council worked closely with all schools including academies, through the work of the Education Board. Members also discussed the work being carried out in respect of home-schooled children and children missing from school.

In respect of a comment regarding the Mountjoy School, Beaminster, the Portfolio Holder advised that it was a popular choice and has reached capacity. He acknowledged that there was work to be done around rural educational needs, particularly around the social and mental well-being of young people in rural areas.

Decision

(a)       That the budget allocation, as set out in the Appendix to the report of 6 September 2022, to enable a range of projects to be delivered as part of the SEND Capital Strategy, be approved. 

The projects set out total an approximate delivery of 228 new specialist places for the capital investment plus any yet to be determined variation to the PFI contract at The Sir John Colfox Academy.

(b)       That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Director for People - Children’s to enter construction contracts at the appropriate time, in line with an existing delegation.

This will be subject to the outcome of the formal consultation process in respect of each project and provided that following procurement, the project is within the set budget level of this Cabinet paper.

(c)       That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People – Children to agree to the commencement of any required 4-week formal consultation period, in line with relevant statutory guidance.

Exercise of this delegation will be necessary if a school is to be required to formally expand their capacity by more than 10% or 20 places as part of this programme of works, at the appropriate time.

Reason for the decision

To show the progress of the implementation of the SEND capital strategy and to approve the next phase of projects for delivery.