Cabinet Member decisions

Background Information:

Kent County Council (KCC) as the Local Authority has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available. The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2020-24 is a five-year rolling plan which is updated annually. It sets out our future plans as Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision across all types and phases of education in Kent. A copy of the plan can be found using this link: http://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/education-skills-and-employment-policies/education-provision.

Forecasts indicate a growing demand for Year 7 places in Gravesham from the start of the 2020-21 academic year.  The Gravesham and Longfield Selective Planning Group is forecast to have a deficit of 62 places (2FE) for the 2021-22 intake and increases again to 99 places (3.3FE) by 2023/24.

As part of the measures being taken to address the capacity issues illustrated above, KCC is proposing that Mayfield Grammar School increase their PAN to 210 for 2021.

To expand Mayfield Grammar School, KCC are proposing the removal of the old wooden block and building a new block at the school, together with other infill and enhancement work to social spaces.  This work would be completed before the September 2021 intake.  This build would enable the school to offer 210 Year 7 places for September 2021.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills agrees to:

i.  endorse the expansion of Mayfield Grammar School, Pelham Road, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0JE by increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 180 places to 210 places for Year 7 entry in September 2021;

ii.  agree to fund the expansion from the schools basic need capital budget; and

iii. delegate authority to the corporate director to take necessary actions, including but not limited to entering into necessary contracts or taking other legal actions as required, to implement the decision.

Background:

Kent County Council (KCC) as the Local Authority has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available. The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2019-23 is a five-year rolling plan which is updated annually. It sets out our future plans as Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision across all types and phases of education in Kent. A copy of the plan can be viewed from this link:

http://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/education-skills-and-employment-policies/education-provision.

It is anticipated that there will be significant short and medium-term pressure for additional Year 7 places in the Gravesham and Longfield Non-Selective Planning Group which indicates that additional capacity will be needed for 2021 and in later years.

Therefore, KCC has asked Meopham School to provide additional places for local children by expanding the school.

KCC propose increasing the accommodation and the amount of school social space including, dining, recreational and circulation space over the expansion period.   This work would be completed before the September 2021 intake.  This build would enable the school to offer 210 Year 7 places for September 2021.

Options:

Meopham School is a popular school that was judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in February 2019.

There are seven secondary schools in the Gravesend and Longfield Non-Selective Planning Group.  These are: Longfield Academy, Meopham School, Northfleet School for Girls, Northfleet Technology College, Saint George's CE School (Gravesend), St. John's Catholic Comprehensive School and Thamesview School.

Of these, Thamesview School, St George’s CE School, Northfleet School for Girls are either being expanded, or are the subject of a future proposal to expand.  Northfleet Technology College is under feasibility for an expansion and Longfield School has been offering additional places under local arrangements for several years.  Meopham School is the only remaining candidate for expansion.

Meopham School is a popular and successful school and the proposal to increase the number of secondary places at the school is therefore, in line with the expectation of expanding popular & successful schools.  The proposal is to add an additional 70 places taking the school PAN up to 210 for September 2021.  It will be achieved through building additional accommodation and service space on the Meopham School site.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is asked to:

i.           agree to expand Meopham School, Wrotham Road, Meopham, Kent DA13 0AH by increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 140 places to 200 places from September 2021;

ii.         agree to fund the expansion from the schools’ basic need capital budget; and

iii.        delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education to take necessary actions, including but not limited to entering into necessary contracts or taking other legal actions as required, to implement the decision.

The Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services agrees to:

(i)        AGREE the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied for Children’s Services in 2020-21 as detailed in section 2 of this report;

(ii)       AGREE the proposed changes to the Kent Fostering Payment Policy in 202-21 as detailed in section 3 of this report including changes to the Parent & Child Payment Policy;

(iii)      NOTE both the changes to the rates that are set by the Government/external agencies: Inter-agency charges and Essential Living Allowance and; any charges to other Local Authorities for use of in-house respite residential beds are to be calculated on a full cost recovery basis; and

(iv)      DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education, or other nominated officer, to undertake the necessary actions to implement the decision

Background:

In the Growth Deal announcements in July 2014 (Round One), January 2015 (Round Two), and February 2017 (Round Three) the Government allocated £570 million from the Local Growth Fund to capital projects across the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) area.

As the end of the Growth Deal (March 2021) approaches, a number of projects throughout the SELEP region have experienced difficulty with delivery. To date, £33.396m of funding has been returned to SELEP for reallocation to projects which have demonstrated they can be delivered by March 2021.  Through this process, an allocation has been made available for the Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS).  This scheme is being delivered by external partners (The University of Kent and Canterbury Christchurch University).

KCC will transfer the LGF funding to the third parties for the delivery of the scheme. A Legal agreement has been prepared between KCC and the Universities which will transfer all the LGF spend and project management responsibility to them.  This includes updating Kent County Council monthly on project progress and spend; as well as completing the post scheme monitoring required by SELEP.

The KMMS will be delivered in line with the current governance arrangements under the Local Growth Fund (KCC and SELEP). Therefore, the scheme will carry out necessary consultation and equality impact assessments as part of the scheme progression.

The business case for the first phase of the Kent and Medway Medical School (£4m) was approved at SELEP Accountability Board on 15^th November 2019.  The second phase (a further £4m) does not require funding until 2020/21 and therefore will be considered by SELEP Accountability Board on 15^th May 2020.

Before the legal agreement can be finalised for KMMS, a key decision is required.  The LGF cannot be drawn down until the Key Decision is in place.

·         Options –

The options considered for the KMMS are set out in the business case document which can be accessed here:

Kent and Medway Medical School (pages 33-37)

https://www.southeastlep.com/app/uploads/2000/01/KMMS-Full-Business-Case.pdf

·         How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’

The scheme has a strong fit with all three objectives. The state-of-the-art Medical School will provide enhanced training and academic opportunities for young people and mature students in Kent.  In addition, it will attract and retain medical students into Kent to fill the GP gap which is currently prevalent within the County; giving all residents of Kent (and particularly older and vulnerable residents) a better opportunity to stay healthy and live independently.

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, I approve the progression, via KCC’s Local Growth Fund arrangements, for the Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS), allowing it to progress to the stages of development and delivery to enable the scheme funding to be spent by March 2020.

Specifically, tis comprises approval for:

-       KCC to act as the accountable body for the project

-       KCC to enter into a Local Growth Fund (LGF) funding agreement; and

-       KCC to enter into legal agreements with the relevant third parties delivering the schemes to transfer the conditions of the LGF spend and project management to them

I also agree to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of GET, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Procurement, to enter into relevant legal agreements and take other actions necessary to implement this decision.

Background – Goldwyn School is a maintained special school designated to support pupils aged 11-16 years with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH).  It is judged as Outstanding by OFSTED.  Presently the school is designated to take 115 pupils aged 11-16 years of age.  However, due to the increased need for specialist SEMH places the School has been commissioned to provide up to 150 places for the last few years. This proposal would formalise the current situation, while at the same time increasing the age range to 18 years in order to add a sixth form, adding a further 45 post-16 places, taking the final designated number to 195 places.

Options - No other option were considered as this is the only SEMH specialist School in the District

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills agrees to:

(i)            Change the age range at Goldwyn School, Ashford from 11-16 years to 11-18 years in order to add sixth form provision, adding 45 post-16 places, and

(ii)          increase the designated number at key stage 3/4 by 35 places. 

Background:

KCC receive developers’ contributions (S106) to support the additional demand on services for young people created as a result of new housing developments. Currently, KCC has secured almost £1.3m of S106 funding for youth services, with a further £582k awaiting process. There is a further £1.5m that has been approved and will become payable once houses are built. Kent’s growth agenda will result in many new housing developments planned. As these reach planning, ICS will request a youth S106 contribution. This is currently being based upon a figure in the region of £7 per home.Working with KCC Property and Infrastructure, ICS are now in an early stage of ‘testing’ an increase figure of £65.50 per home, for youth work, which is based upon a greater understanding of our service as current thinking is based on a model which pre-dates the development of an integrated service where we may have just wanted some delivery space in every new development but which was not targeted or joined up.

The Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services agrees to:

1. Approve the introduction of four dedicated area based detached youth work teams, using S106 funding to cover staffing and associated equipment costs, as set out in the report.

2. Approve the allocation of £2k per district to each Local Children’s Partnership Group (LCPG), to be spent over two years, to ensure the inclusion of young people’s voice across the district (total cost of £24k). This spend is to be agreed by LCPG and overseen by the Area Partnership Managers.

3. Acknowledge that whilst some of the S106 will be spent on youth capital costs, this will not be in replacement of Total Facilities Management/Property and Infrastructure budget and responsibilities.

4. Approve the remainder of the S106 funding to be considered to provide additional capacity in youth teams and any local district projects. This may also include costs associated with a Fleet Review.

Background:

KCC is delivering the construction of the new Barton Court Free School on the former Chaucer School site in Canterbury. The DfE 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 be the contracting authority for the purpose of delivering the scheme. The new school will be located on part of the former Chaucer School site, with the remainder allocated to the land disposal programme.

To approve the award of a building contract to Kier Construction Limited for the Barton Court Free School and delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services to finalise the contractual terms and enter into any necessary documentation.

Background Information:

Local authorities have had the ability to charge for residential care (under section 22 (1) of the National Assistance Act 1948) and for non-residential services (under section 17 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983) for a number of years, this is not a statutory requirement, but Kent County Council (KCC) utilised this ability for most non-residential services.

Statutory guidance on charging for residential and non-residential care and support under the Care Act 2014 section 14 is provided in theCare and Support Statutory Guidance. All previous guidance documents, such as theCharging for Residential Accommodation Guideand Fairer Charging Guidance came to an end on 1st April 2015, ceasing these powers and duties.

KCC exercised its power under Section 14 of The Care Act 2014 to continue to charge at the same rates and in the same ways from 1 April 2015 after the Care Act bill was passed.

KCC has been more generous with its charging policy since it began charging in 2002 and has not made any significant changes to its charging policy since 2011.  KCC has now had to review the subsidies that it provides to some people to ensure consistency, fairness and the best use of its funds to support all its Adult Social Care clients.

The project has been initiated to look to amend sections of KCC discretionary charging in the Non-Residential Charging Policy to align it with the government’s Department of Health’s (DoH) guidelines.

These changes will look to align KCC with a standard charging model employed by the DoH and several other local authorities.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health agrees to:

(i)            AMEND the Adult Social Care and Health Non-Residential Charging Policy to align with the Department of Health’s Minimum Income Guarantee Guidance; and

(ii)          DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health, or other nominated officer, to implement the decision

Background

This decision revises the rates payable and charges levied in relation to KCC provided services. It will enable the Council to raise funding, as required by Parliament, to help meet the cost of providing social care services to the people of Kent.

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’ meets the strategic objective that older and vulnerable residents are safe and supported with choices to live independently.

Financial Implications: This decision revises the rates payable and charges levied. It will enable the Council to raise funding, as required by Parliament, to help meet the cost of providing social care services to the people of Kent.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health agrees to:

(i)            APPROVE the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied for adult services in 2020-21 as detailed in sections 2 and 3 of this report; and

(ii)          DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director for Adult Social Care and Health, or other nominated officer, to undertake the necessary actions to implement this decision.