Decision
(a) Support the use of the former Wimborne First School site, in School Lane Wimborne, to increase the capacity of Beaucroft School to create additional specialist provision for Dorset children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
(b) That the budget allocation as set out in Appendix 3 to enable the project to be delivered, be approved and authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People – Children to enter into a construction contract at the appropriate time, in line with an existing delegation, subject to the outcome of the formal consultation process and provided the project is within the set budget level.
(c) That the commencement of the required 4 week formal consultation period, in consultation with the Governors of Beaucroft School to formally expand the capacity of the Beaucroft Foundation School by more than 10% or 20 places, at the appropriate time, be agreed.
(d) That a report will be brought back to Cabinet for a decision on the formal expansion of the school following the consultation process.
(e) To
lease the former Wimborne First School site to the Governors of Beaucroft School for use as post 16 provision on terms to
be agreed by the Executive Director of Place, noting that further legal advice
is being sought on this matter.
Reason
for decision
To support the delivery of
this project as part of the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Capital Strategy 2020 – 2025 which was approved by Dorset Council Cabinet at
its meeting on 8th December 2020.
Budget
Implications
At their meeting on 6th April
2021 Cabinet agreed a funding commitment of between £35m and £40m to support
the implementation of the SEND Capital Strategy, subject to feasibility studies
and further planning and individual projects such as this would be brought
forward for approval. Noting the funding already agreed for the project at St
Mary’s which is known as the Dorset Centre of Excellence (Shaftesbury), this is
the first project being brought forward to seek funding from this capital
allocation. The estimated cost of works, and therefore budget allocation
required to undertake the proposed works at the School Lane premises to make
them suitable for use as Beaucroft College is set out
in Appendix 3.
Reference
documents
Agenda
for Cabinet on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021, 10.00 am - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 29/07/2021
Decision due: 27 Jul 2021 by Portfolio Holder for People - Children, Education, Skills and Early Help
Lead member: Portfolio Holder for People - Children, Education, Skills and Early Help
Lead director: Executive Director, People - Children
Contact: Vik Verma, Interim Director of Education and Learning Email: vik.verma@dorsetcc.gov.uk.