Issue - meetings

As part of the Council’s commitment to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), Cabinet in June 2020 approved £500,000 to re-purpose the former Bournemouth Learning Centre (BLC) building as a satellite site for Longspee Special School.   The Council has a duty to ensure a sufficiency of school places in its area under s14 of the Education Act 1996.

After that original cost estimate, and as a result of the procurement process carried out by the Council’s partner, the Ambitions Academies Trust, the total cost of the capital works amounts to £1,250,000, leaving a shortfall of £750,000 which the Council intends to meet in order to ensure the extra places are available for September 2021. Funding is available to meet the shortfall.

The reasons for the shortfall, set out in the report, include unforeseen works due to the poor condition of the building and the need to increase the specification in order to be able to take on roll children and young people with the broadest range of needs.

The project still represents exceptional value for money as the cost of each place will be more than 40% below the national average and as a result of not needing so many independent placements, the council will make a revenue saving in the region of £1.2 million annually.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           approves the further allocation of £750,000 to complete the conversion of the Bournemouth Learning Centre; and

(b)           requests the Chief Executive to use the urgency powers delegated to him under Part 3.15 of the BCP Council Constitution to approve the combined spend on this project of £1,250,000 in advance of the next available Council meeting, scheduled for 2 June 2021 and that he report this decision to Council at that meeting, in order for the additional school places to be available for eligible children by September 2021.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

Reason

To enable the completion of the project at the BLC site to create a high quality special school satellite provision for Longspee Special School, meeting local need and reducing pressure on the high needs budget.

The Portfolio Holder for Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education presented an urgent report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'M' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that pursuant to regulation 10 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 (‘the Regulations’) and in accordance with the constitutional requirements and following publication of the required notice, that this item was being submitted to Council as a matter of urgency.

Cabinet was reminded that as part of the Council’s commitment to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), Cabinet in June 2020 approved £500,000 to re-purpose the former Bournemouth Learning Centre (BLC) building as a satellite site for Longspee Special School, and that the Council has a duty to ensure a sufficiency of school places in its area under s14 of the Education Act 1996.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that after that original cost estimate, and as a result of the procurement process carried out by the Council’s partner, the Ambitions Academies Trust, the total cost of the capital works amounts to £1,250,000, leaving a shortfall of £750,000 which the Council intends to meet in order to ensure the extra places are available for September 2021, and that funding is available to meet the shortfall.

Cabinet was informed that the reasons for the shortfall, set out in the report, include unforeseen works due to the poor condition of the building and the need to increase the specification in order to be able to take on roll children and young people with the broadest range of needs.

Further to this the Cabinet was advised that the project still represents exceptional value for money as the cost of each place will be more than 40% below the national average and as a result of not needing so many independent placements, the council will make a revenue saving in the region of £1.2 million annually.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet and advised that this item was being brough to the May Overview and Scrutiny Board despite the fact that the decision will have been made but to allow members to discuss the item properly.

The Chairman of the Childrens Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the Cabinet expressing frustration that this report hadn’t been received earlier and that the Committee had not had the opportunity to discuss this item. Further to this the Chairman advised that he would like to see some further scrutiny as the project develops and would also like to review why the overspend has happened.

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the incredible provision this will provide for children and families.

In closing the Portfolio Holder advised that she would be responding to the queries made from the Childrens Services Overview and Scrutiny members which had been received by email.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           approves the further allocation of £750,000  ...  view the full minutes text for item 334