Issue - meetings

A report that seeks approval for a capital project, to establish additional specialist provision operated by Oldham College.

Members considered a report by the Director of Education and Early Years regarding a proposal by Oldham College to develop additional specialist provision. The proposal was developed sufficiently to enable members to consider the allocation of capital funding.

The project was intended to create 12 additional specialist places for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), increasing local specialist capacity and supporting children to access education within their local community.

Currently the Local Authority has High Needs Capital Allocation Funding, which was released to schools and colleges upon application and consideration by panel. It was proposed that where projects will generate additional places these projects are funded from the HNPCA Grant provision.

The report presented two Options:

Option One (preferred Option) – To approve the capital investment required to establish additional specialist provision at Oldham College, supporting the ambitions of the SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2023–2027 and the Local SEND Reform Plan 2026.

Option 2: To not approve the project, resulting in a missed opportunity to increase local specialist capacity and support the delivery of the SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2023–2027 and the Local SEND Reform Plan 2026.

Resolved:

That the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board endorses the recommendations detailed in the submitted report of the Director of Education and Early Years:

1.    To approve a capital project to establish additional specialist provision operated by Oldham College. The project will increase local specialist capacity for children and young people with SEND, helping to meet growing demand and reduce reliance on independent and out-of-borough placements.

2.    To grant approval for the allocation of capital funding from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA) and Basic Need Grant to support delivery of the scheme.