Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that Council agree the capital programme as set out in the report, including the budget allocations set against the capital funding available for the period 2025/26 – 2026/27.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Councillor Richard Burton presented the report on the Children’s Services Capital Strategy 2025/26-2027/28 and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council agreed the capital programme as set out in the report, including the budget allocations set against the capital funding available for the period 2025/26 – 2026/27.

Voting: Agreed with no dissent

Councillor Paul Hilliard left the meeting at 22.40pm

This report set out the Education and Skills Capital Programme for the period 2025/26 – 2027/28. The report summarises available capital funding totalling £22.6 million and provides an indicative programme of investment of £21.4 million set against key budget headings aligned to improvement priorities across the service.  The planned expenditure of available capital is set out in this report and shows a balanced budget. 

RECOMMENDED that Council agree the capital programme as set out in the report, including the budget allocations set against the capital funding available for the period 2025/26 – 2026/27.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children, Young People, Education and Skills

Reason

Utilising investment in the school estate to discharge the council’s statutory duties to delivery good estate management and secure sufficiency of places aligned to the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, Wraparound and Expanded Entitlements Delivery Plan, SEND Sufficiency Strategy, Belonging and Improvement Strategy and DSG Recovery Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'I' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report set out the Education and Skills Capital Programme for the period 2025/26 – 2027/28, and that it summarises available capital funding totalling £22.6 million and provides an indicative programme of investment of £21.4 million set against key budget headings aligned to improvement priorities across the service.

Cabinet was informed that the planned expenditure of available capital was set out in the report and showed a balanced budget.

Thanks were expressed to officers for all their hard working in preparing this paper.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder read out the comments raised by the Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee following their recent meeting where they had noted and agreed the paper, discussed alternative provision at some length and wrap around care and that had advised that they will be looking at further and alternative provision at a future meeting.

Councillor Bartlett addressed the Cabinet asking whether there was a possibility to use CIL for the provision of new schools or for converting schools to assist with SEND.

In relation to this the Leader advised that the 18% of discretionary CIL could be used for education purposes but that it was important that central government resolve the funding issues around SEND.

RECOMMENDED that Council agree the capital programme as set out in the report, including the budget allocations set against the capital funding available for the period 2025/26 – 2026/27.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children, Young People, Education and Skills

Reason

Utilising investment in the school estate to discharge the council’s statutory duties to delivery good estate management and secure sufficiency of places aligned to the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, Wraparound and Expanded Entitlements Delivery Plan, SEND Sufficiency Strategy, Belonging and Improvement Strategy and DSG Recovery Plan.

This report set out the Education and Skills Capital Programme for the period 2025/26 - 2027/28. The report summarises available capital funding totalling £22.6 million and provides an indicative programme of investment of £21.4 million set against key budget headings aligned to improvement priorities across the service.  The planned expenditure of available capital is set out in this report and shows a balanced budget.

The Head of Service Place Planning and Admissions presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report set out the Education and Skills Capital Programme for the period 2025/26 – 2027/28. The report summarised available capital funding totalling £22.6 million and provided an indicative programme of investment of £21.4 million set against key budget headings aligned to improvement priorities across the service. The planned expenditure of available capital was set out in this report and showed a balanced budget.

The Committee discussed the report, including:

• In response to a query raised regarding the Belonging Strategy, the committee was advised that this strategy was linked to inclusion and incorporated how we worked across the system for all learners, including the most vulnerable. It focused on keeping as many children as possible in mainstream provision so they could thrive and succeed. The new Head of Education was set to implement the strategy in either February or March.

·       The Committee was advised that Alternative Provision varied according to the individual needs of young people. There was a growing trend in utilising alternative provision, but this was only implemented when necessary. The goal was to support children in returning to a mainstream educational setting, ensuring that Alternative Provision was not perceived as a final destination.

·       The Committee was advised that the Alternative Provision Improvement Plan could be brought to the committee for further examination. ACTION

·       In response to a query raised regarding the wraparound programme, the Committee was advised that it consisted of two work streams, including wraparound care. This care provided childcare services from 8am to 6pm, covering the beginning and end of the school day. The service collaborated with multiple partners throughout the sector to expand the number of available places. At that time, there were 700 wraparound places required, and with the funding provided, the service had successfully met the demand as well as an additional 50 places.

The Committee expressed their gratitude to the Interim Head of Education for her contributions during her time at BCP Council.

The Committee noted the report.