Issue - meetings

This report sets out the Education and Skills Capital Programme for the period 2026/27– 2028/29. The report summarises available capital funding totalling £34.9 million and provides an indicative programme of investment of £33.5 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 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 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report set out the Education and Skills Capital Programme for the period 2026/27– 2028/29, and summarised available capital funding totalling £34.9 million and provides an indicative programme of investment of £33.5 million set against key budget headings aligned to improvement priorities across the service. 

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

RECOMMENDED that Council agrees the capital programme as set out in the report, including the budget allocations set against the capital funding available for the period 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 deliver good estate management and secure sufficiency of places aligned to the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, 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 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report set out the Education and Skills Capital Programme for the period 2026/27– 2028/29, and summarised available capital funding totalling £34.9 million and provides an indicative programme of investment of £33.5 million set against key budget headings aligned to improvement priorities across the service. 

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

RECOMMENDED that Council agrees the capital programme as set out in the report, including the budget allocations set against the capital funding available for the period 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 deliver good estate management and secure sufficiency of places aligned to the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, SEND Sufficiency Strategy, Belonging and Improvement Strategy and DSG Recovery Plan.

This report sets out the Education and Skills Capital Programme for the period 2026/27– 2028/29. The report summarises available capital funding totalling £34.9 million and provides an indicative programme of investment of £33.5 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 report was circulated for information only and noted by the Committee.

The Committee welcomed the report and noted positive feedback from recent capital works undertaken in schools, including improvements to heating infrastructure. In response to queries, the Committee was advised that capital priorities continued to be informed by condition surveys, demographic pressures and statutory requirements, with works allocated to address the most urgent needs first. The Committee was further informed that the Council continued to work collaboratively with academy trusts to support planning around capacity and estate condition, recognising their responsibilities as estate managers.