Decision details

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Education, Skills and Early Years which advised Members that, in line with the SEND & AP Green Paper, the recommendation contained therein was for the implementation of tier 2 support and provision for secondary aged children, commissioned from and provided by Kingsland School.

The project proposal was to replace a single storey derelict modular building (former Limehurst Youth Centre) with a new 2 storey modular building providing classrooms, practical workshops, meeting rooms, kitchen, staff areas, storage and w.c’s for 36 pupils.

The total cost of this project is estimated to be in the region of £1,237,500 (a total of £1,361,250 when including 10% contingency).  It is proposed that this project is funded by the LA Basic Need and/or HNPCA Grant.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 (the preferred Option) – that the suitable site in Limeside (Currently a disused former youth centre known as Limehurst), be utilised.

Option 2 - to agree to the capital costs of part re-modelling the building at the Limehurst site with SEND Capital Provision Funding but however, to solely rely on income generation for the staffing costs.

Option 3 – In line with Option 1 (above) but with a lower base funding element to allow for a minimum staffing level for a fully functioning Tier 2 provision that can still provide quality and ensure sustainability. This would be calculated by availability of surplus DSG in the LA budget (estimated at 50% of base funding in 3.1 - £180,000).

Resolved:

That the implementation of tier 2 support and provision for secondary aged children, commissioned from and provided by Kingsland School, be authorised and the project proposal, detailed in the submitted report, to replace a single storey derelict modular building (former Limehurst Youth Centre), be approved.