Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Strategic Commissioner Education.

The Shareholder Committee received a report of the Strategic Commissioner Education, which provided an overview of the position in relation to delivery by the Dorset Centre of Excellence (DCoE) against the commissioning agreement.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion, points were raised in the following areas:

·       Dorset Council officers continued to attend meetings of the Dorset Centre of Excellence Board as observers

·       The rental charge reflecting the lease had been confirmed by DCoE and would be covered in full from the 2025/26 budget

·       Comparisons of cost per placement with the independent sector had been undertaken and represented value for money

·       Work continued to develop the site to meet the growth trajectory required in the business plan. Funding issues were considered and it was noted that the capital programme in the 2025/26 budget approved by Full Council included funding for phase 3, although decisions related to this still needed to be taken

·       The business plan would set out the overall objectives for the wider school. Consideration would also be given to individual packages for specific children where required

·       Both children and the wider community were involved in tree planting

·       Children attending the school came from a wide geographical area across Dorset and work had been undertaken to support children in travelling to school. There was also early consideration of how the school could have a presence in another area of Dorset.

The report was NOTED.