The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Education, Early Years and Skills which sought approval for 4 capital projects that would offer additional places and enhance provision for pupils with additional needs, who are based predominately in mainstream settings. The report also sought approval for the allocation of resources secured through Section 106 Planning Obligations towards the scheme.
The projects were:
a. Project One (Richmond Academy) - this project would enable specialist provision for commissioned integrated places for pupils with SEND at Richmond Academy. The academy already has an existing hub for pupils with complex needs and this development will enable a further 20 additional places to be offered. The total estimated cost for this project is £310.341.
b. Project Two (Greenhill Academy) - this project would upgrade and develop existing specialist provision at Greenhill Academy which will enable the LA to commission places for pupils with complex SEND. The project will generate an additional 20 places. The total estimated costs for this project are £329,364.
c. Project Three (St Thomas Moorside Voluntary Controlled Primary School) - this project would enable the school to offer commissioned places for children with ASD and SEMH within a resource unit. This would support some of the schools’ current children and in addition offer an additional 12 places. The total estimated costs for this project are £377,340.
d. Project Four (Whitegate End Community Primary School) - this project would create a “mainstream plus” provision for 12 children in receipt of an EHCP with a primary need of SEMH. These places would be commissioned by the LA and ring fenced for children who currently attend Oldham schools. The total estimated costs for this project are £300,000.
The total cost of the four projects was £1,317.045 and projects one, two and four are within the 2-mile radius to utilize the circa £600,000 of Section 106 contributions alongside the Basic Need Grant and project three would be funded by Basic Need Grant alone.
All four school above currently had a ‘good’ Ofsted rating and have excellent track records of supporting children with additional needs.
It was strongly recommended that the Cabinet support these projects, which represent the first step in some significant planned developments for children with additional needs.
Options/alternatives considered:
Option 1 - To approve the above capital investment for the project listed above and achieve the councils’ obligations contained within the S106 obligations.
Option 2 – Not to approve the projects and risk having to return the S106 contributions to the developer and not achieve the additional school places required.
Resolved:
That Cabinet approves the capital investment for the four projects listed above thereby achieving the councils’ obligations contained within the S106 obligations.