Agenda item

The report sets out the capital programme for Children’s Services, including summarising the available funding and approved projects. It provides a brief summary of the status of projects which have been completed or are in progress, and of projects which have not yet been initiated. A review of inclusion practice in BCP schools and a revised special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) strategy is underway, led by the Director of Education. A programme of capital works to help deliver that strategy will be brought forward in the 2022 budget.

The Interim Pupil Place Planning, Admissions and School Funding Manager, presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report set out the capital programme for Children’s Services, including summarising the available funding and approved projects. It provided a summary of the status of projects which had been completed or were in progress, and of projects which had not yet been initiated. A review of inclusion practice in BCP schools and a revised special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) strategy was underway, led by the Director of Education. A programme of capital works to help deliver that strategy would be brought forward in the 2022 budget.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• In response to a query regarding the Longspee site and the delay of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and installation of solar panels, the Committee was advised there was delays due to planning and legal discussions regarding responsibilities and liabilities
• Some Committee Members requested to be able to visit the Longspee site to see the work that had been undertaken (ACTION)
• A Committee Member was pleased regarding the rebuild of Hillbourne school which would have a positive impact on the local community.
• A Committee Member highlighted previous consideration of a new school site in Creekmoor which could be considered for a special school in the future if required
• In response to a query regarding the governance of hubs, the Committee was advised that the satellite schools were part of the special schools and not the host school. In practice it meant high levels of cooperation and communication between host school and satellite schools/hubs which provided good opportunities to be flexible for the students. 
• In response to a query regarding whether any children would be negatively impacted by the pause at Somerford, the Committee was reassured by the Director of Education that children were currently at Winchelsea or had yet to be identified as required specialist provision, however the Somerford satellite would enable provision to be provided in the Christchurch area.
• There were further discussions around the Somerford Project including the current due diligience work which was being completed, seeking advice on feasilbility from construction professionals and property services to gain accurate costing information and
• In response to a concern regarding the spending of Section 106 monies, the Committee was advised that any money received would need to be spent in accordance with the contract it was received under.
• The new SEND statement of action was discussed and it was noted that it would be available for the Committee to consider at its November meeting.
• In a query regarding the Hillbourne rebuild, the Committee was reassured that the rebuild was on time and in budget and there were no concerns regarding the handover, budget and quality of work.

The Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Covid Resilience and Schools and Skills wanted to highlight the governance of the programme which started with the Children’s Services Capital Programme Board, then followed a clear and transparent democratic process.  It was also highlighted that the report was linked to commissioning of right SEND provision which was really important to ensure it provided the right provision for the SEND children in BCP. Inclusive practice and link with SEND statement of action.  The Committee was advised that there were no plans for a new school, however many satellite and inclusion in mainstream were being considered as a preferred alternative.

The Chair summarised the discussions as follows:

• Ensbury park campus/Longspee site and delays with the MUGA and installation of solar panels
• A visit to be arranged for Committee Members to visit the Ensbury Park campus
• The Committee fully supported and were pleased with the work being undertaken
• The possible site in Creekmoor for new SEND provision
• Long discussion surrounding the pause of the Somerford project.

RECOMMENDED that:

(a)  Cabinet note the report

(b)  Cabinet approve the process for the development of a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) strategy and an associated programme of capital works to be approved as part of the 2022-23 budget

(c)  Cabinet approves the pausing of the project to create a satellite for Winchelsea School at Somerford Primary School, and agrees to deferring the opening of such a satellite to the school year 2022-23 pending the approval of the SEND strategy and associated capital programme.

Voting: For - Unanimous