Decision details

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet

1.    Note the progress made with primary and secondary school expansions, the school condition programme and other school capital projects.

2.    Agree to delegate all future decisions required to facilitate the projects linked to the School Condition Programme to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Property, Highways & Transport, with other Cabinet Portfolio holders as appropriate, and in consultation with the Head of Capital Programme Works.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport presented a report on the Council’s school building and conditions programme, including the expansion of primary, secondary, and special schools. It was noted that pupil numbers had been changing, with the demand for primary school places, which had been increasing until 2018, now on the decline. This has resulted in excess capacity at many primary schools, reducing the urgency to create more primary places. However, secondary schools were still experiencing some pressures, although it was considered that the current demands would be met. The main area highlighted by the Cabinet Member was the need for special school places, which were anticipated to require significant funding in the upcoming period. The projected total expenditure for this was £43.4 million, compared to the £18.5 million allocated for the wider school condition building program.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the importance of ongoing school condition surveys to prevent future incidents where schools become unusable due to infrastructure issues like leaks or boiler failures.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.