Decision details

Background:

In July 2016 the Department for Education approved a Wave 11 bid proposed by the Tenax Trust to establish the St Andrew’s Primary Free School at Paddock Wood, Tunbridge Wells.  The proposed new school will have the capacity for 420 pupils (2 FE) from reception to year 6. The bid also included an estimated 60 nursery places.  The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible for funding the delivery of the new school.

The ESFA has appointed KCC to act as the Local Delivery Agent (Responsible Body), with Gen2 acting as KCC’s Agent.  As the Responsible Body, KCC will commit to procuring and delivering the scheme and will be the contracting authority for the purpose of the scheme.  As the Responsible Body KCC is also responsible for compliance with all relevant statutory obligations and is required to secure any statutory approvals required to deliver the scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education is asked to agree to:

a) Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with General Counsel, to enter into any necessary contracts/agreements on behalf of the County Council;

b) Authorise the Director of Infrastructure to ensure that the appropriate level of funding is received from the Education Funding Agency to cover the costs of these projects to ensure the Kent County Council does not incur any unforeseen costs; and

c) Authorise the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant contracts/agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contract terms.