Cabinet Member decisions

Decision:

To agree to authorise the disposal of the former Wayfarers Care Home, St Barts Road, Sandwich, CT13 0AW and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, tofinalise the contractual terms of the disposal. 

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.

Reason for the decision:

Proposed property disposal in line with the Council’s statutory and fiduciary dutiesand over £1million which requires a key decision.

Background:

The freehold asset, Wayfarers Care Home, St Barts Road, Sandwich, CT13 0AW is a former 33-bed, single storey care home of c.14,000 sq ft built in 1983 on a site of about 1.15 acres. The building is currently being used by Kent County Council (KCC) for temporary furniture storage and other storage, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.  KCC ceased operating the care home in 2017. The site also includes parking for 14 cars. There is a site plan at Appendix A.

This asset was declared surplus to KCC’s requirements and was subsequently identified for disposal. A comprehensive marketing exercise is on-going and the bidding process will be concluded in January 2022. Following which, a preferred bidder will be identified with the transaction progressed to enable the disposal of the site.

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

• Securing a capital receipt to fund the capital programme as set out in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.
• Streamline the Council’s property portfolio.
• Achieve financial and efficiency benefits in line with appropriate policy.

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to authorise the disposal of the former Wayfarers Care Home, St Barts Road, Sandwich, CT13 0AW and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, tofinalise the contractual terms of the disposal. 

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.

Decision:

To agree to authorise the disposal of 50 Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, Maidstone, ME19 4AF and delegate authority to:

1.    The Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, tofinalise the contractual terms of the disposal.

2.    The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.

Reason for the decision:

Proposed property disposal in line with the Council’s statutory and fiduciary duties and over £1million which requires a key decision.

Background:

The freehold asset 50 Gibson Drive is a c.18,000 sq ft 2-storey building on a site of about 1.9 acres. This former laboratory/office building is currently being used by Kent County Council (KCC) for temporary furniture storage and other storage following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was last used as a laboratory and office building in 2016 when Sekisui Diagnostics (UK) Ltd (formerly Genzyme) terminated the lease.  The site also includes parking for 51 cars.

This asset was declared surplus to KCC’s requirements and was subsequently identified for disposal. A comprehensive marketing exercise has been undertaken and the bidding process will be concluded in January 2022. Following which a preferred bidder will be identified with the transaction progressed to enable the disposal of the site.

A decision is sought to approve the disposal of the site and to delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to finalise the terms of the transaction and enable the disposal of the site.

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

• Securing a capital receipt to fund the capital programme as set out in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.
• Streamline the Council’s property portfolio.
• Achieve financial and efficiency benefits in line with appropriate policy.

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to authorise the disposal of 50 Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, Maidstone, ME19 4AF and delegate authority to:

1. The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the contractual terms of the disposal.

2. The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.

Proposed decision

Award new contracts for the provision of Residential Care for people with a Learning Disability, Physical Disability and people with Mental Health needs to the successful bidders identified following a procurement process and delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to entering into and finalising the terms of relevant contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Reason for the decision

Contracts for Residential Care Home Services for People with a Learning Disability, People with a Physical Disability and People with Mental Health Needs were awarded under decision number 18/0003, however provision was not made in that decision to allow new services to join the contract

Care homes form part of the services to meet statutory requirement for provision of services across Kent for People with a Learning Disability, People with a Physical Disability and People with Mental Health Needs. This provision relates to Strategic Outcome 2 and 3.

•          Focus on improving lives by ensuring that every penny spent in Kent is delivering better outcomes for Kent’s residents, communities, and businesses

•          Older and vulnerable residents are safe and supported with choices to live independently

•          Those with long term conditions are supported to manage their conditions through access to good quality care and support

As Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, I agree to:

a)    AWARD contracts to provide residential care for People with a Learning Disability, People with a Physical Disability and People with Mental Health Needs to the successful bidders as identified following a procurement process and detailed in exempt appendix 1; and

b)    DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Proposed Decision:

Direct award a year contract until 31 March 2023 for the provision of Carers’ Short Breaks;

Award contracts for the provision of Community Based Wellbeing Services funded by Kent County Council for a period of three years with the option to extend for further periods of up to two years, and Dementia Coordinator Services funded by the NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group for a period of two years; and

Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Reason for the Decision:

Adult Social Care has historic grant arrangements in place with voluntary and community sector providers across the county. These grants provide a contribution towards the costs of services that support older people, people living with dementia, people with a physical disability and people with sensory impairments.

There are issues related to use of historic grant arrangements including an inconsistency in the type of support and services funded across the county, lack of correlation between spend and demographic factors, limitations in the ability to monitor the performance of services and therefore to understand the impact that services have on people.

A phased procurement process was undertaken in 2020 to award three contracts to replace the historic grant arrangements. The three contracts in Phase 1 were awarded in December 2020. The nine contracts in Phases 2 and 3 to be awarded are:

·  Older Peoples’ Wellbeing Services in Ashford, Canterbury & Swale

·  Older Peoples’ Wellbeing Services in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley

·  Specialist Support in the Community for People with a Physical Disability

·  Post Diagnostic Support in the Community for People with Dementia and their Families in West Kent

·  Post Diagnostic Support in the Community for People with Dementia and their Families in East Kent

·  Post Diagnostic Support in the Community for People with Dementia and their Families in North Kent

·  Dementia Coordinator Service in West Kent (procured on behalf of NHS Kent & Medway CCG)

·  Dementia Coordinator Service in East Kent (procured on behalf of NHS Kent & Medway CCG)

·  Dementia Coordinator Service in North Kent (procured on behalf of NHS Kent & Medway CCG)

The direct award of the contract for Carers’ Short Breaks will provide continued support for Carers across Kent while the new Kent Adult Carers strategy is developed and the procurement process for a new contract, which will align to the new strategy, is undertaken.

This decision supports KCC’s Strategic Statement through supporting key providers that deliver services to older and vulnerable residents that will ensure they are safe and supported with choices to live independently.  This decision relates to the proposal within the Strategic Delivery Plan of moving organisations from grants to contracts.

This decision supports the Strategic Reset programme by implementing Asset Based Commissioning.

The contracts will enable the Council to meet its duties under the Care Act 2014 by promoting wellbeing for individuals and their Carers, through the provision of information and advice that enables people to make choices about their care, by preventing or delaying people deteriorating to the point where they require health or social care support and through supporting market sustainability.

As Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, I agree to:

a)    APPROVE the direct award a year contract until 31 March 2023 for the provision of Carers’ Short Breaks;

b)    APPROVE the contract awards (as detailed in the exempt appendices) for the provision of Community Based Wellbeing Services funded by Kent County Council for a period of three years with the option to extend for further periods of up to two years, and Dementia Coordinator Services funded by the NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group for a period of two years; and

c)    DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Proposed decision

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is asked to:

a)    authorise the allocation of £416,905 additional funding from the Children Young People and Education Services Basic Need Capital Budget to fund the permanent expansion of Invicta Grammar School, by increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 192 places to 240 places from September 2022.

b)    authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts/ agreements on behalf of the County Council with the Valley Invicta Academies Trust.

c)    authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Reason for Decision

Due to increased costs and supply chain issues, it is no longer possible to deliver the scheme within the initial cost estimate.  The price of building materials, along with many other associated products needed for construction works, have risen considerably since the initial feasibility cost plan was completed.  The increased costs identified predominately relate to inflation and site-specific conditions based on the proposed development location that have increased the abnormal costs.  Supply chains have experienced disruptions due to the Covid-crisis and latterly by driver shortages and resulted in some of the key materials increasing in cost above the anticipated rate of inflation. 

Background

This FED follows on from Decision 21/00025, taken on 19 March 2021, whereby the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills agreed to authorise the allocation of £2,438,095 from the Children Young People and Education Services Basic Need Capital Budget to fund the permanent expansion of Invicta Grammar School, by increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 192 places to 240 places from September 2022.

The Commissioning Plan forecasts for the Maidstone and Malling Selective planning group indicate that there will be a deficit of Year 7 places throughout the Plan period.  The deficit builds during the early years of the Plan period and peaks at -106 places in 2023-24, before settling into around a 90 places shortfall for the last 3 years of the forecast period.

Within this planning group, some schools have admitted over PAN in recent years, creating temporary additional selective capacity.  It is anticipated that this pattern will continue and will accommodate the immediate forecast deficit of 28 places in 2021-22.  However, from 2022-23 there is a need to commission up to 3FE of additional permanent provision and a further 1FE (or 30 temporary places) will be needed to meet the 2023-24 demand.

In recent years Invicta Grammar School has accepted bulges up to 240 pupils, which is 48 places above its PAN.  These additional places have provided provision that ensured there were sufficient girls grammar places available in the Maidstone and Malling planning group.  The latest KCP forecasts indicate a continued and growing demand for grammar places and in particular girls’ provision. 

However, Invicta Grammar School no longer has the physical capacity to accept pupils over their PAN beyond September 2021.  Therefore, KCC intends to commission a Basic Need expansion of Invicta Grammar School to enable the school to continue to offer 240 places on a permanent basis from September 2022.

It is agreed with Valley Invicta Academies Trust (VIAT) that this would be a school managed scheme, with KCC providing the Basic Need funding and the Trust procuring and managing all capital works.

Options

The Trust and its chosen contractors have completed detailed exploration to ensure that the cost rise is minimalised and that there is sufficient contingency within the scheme to mitigate any further construction risks.

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

The provision of sufficient school places is a statutory duty and contributes to the Strategic Business Plan Priorities to ensure that “Children and Young People in Kent get the best start in life”.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

a)       authorise the allocation of £416,905 additional funding from the Children Young People and Education Services Basic Need Capital Budget to fund the permanent expansion of Invicta Grammar School, by increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 192 places to 240 places from September 2022.

b)       authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts/ agreements on behalf of the County Council with the Valley Invicta Academies Trust.

c)       authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Proposed decision:

i.             agree to provide £5m from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the permanent expansion of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School by 1FE from 150 to 180 PAN from September 2023.

ii.            Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

iii.          Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Reason for the decision:

The Kent Commissioning Plan has identified the need for additional selective places across the plan period due to population growth and new housing developments in the Faversham and surrounding area. The Kent Commissioning Plan (2021-2025) shows a deficit of -30 places for September 2022 and -34 places for September 2023 for the Canterbury and Faversham Selective Planning Group.

Background:

Queen Elizabeth Grammar school is part of the Canterbury and Faversham Selective planning group. There are 4 Grammar schools within this planning group, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Simon Langton Girls Grammar school, Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys and Barton Court Grammar School. For September 2023 it is therefore proposed to permanently expand Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School by 30 places (1FE) to meet the need for additional places in Faversham and the planning area.

To help meet the need for additional grammar places in Swale both Highsted and Borden Grammar Schools are proposing to expand permanently by 1FE from September 2022 and form the Sittingbourne and Sheppey Selective planning area.

Options:

Simon Langton Girls Grammar school has recently been rebuilt through the DfE Priority School Build Programme. Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys has a current build programme to facilitate their expansion to 5 forms of entry and Barton Court Grammar school was expanded to 5 forms of entry in 2017 and is at capacity on their site.

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

This proposal will help to secure our ambition “to ensure that Kent’s young people have access to the education, work and skills opportunities necessary to support Kent business to grow and be increasingly competitive in the national and international economy” as set out in ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

i.         provide £5m from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the permanent expansion of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School by 1FE from 150 to 180 PAN from September 2023.

ii.        Authorise the Director of Education in consultation with the General Counsel to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

Proposed decision:

i.             agree to provide £1M from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the temporary expansion of Westlands Secondary School by 1FE (30 places) for September 2022 and September 2023.

ii.            agree to provide £1M from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the temporary expansion of The Sittingbourne School by 1FE (30 places) for September 2022 and September 2023.

iii.          agree to provide £1M from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the temporary expansion of Fulston Manor by 0.5FE (15 places) for September 2022 and September 2023.

iv.          Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

v.            Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

Reason for the decision:

The Kent Commissioning Plan has identified the need for additional secondary places across Swale District for several years due to population growth and new housing developments in the district.

The Kent Commissioning Plan (2021-2025) shows a deficit of -93 Year 7 places in the Sittingbourne non-selective planning group for September 2022 growing to a deficit of –176 for September 2023 Year 7 entry. Some of this pressure is offset by spare capacity in Oasis Isle of Sheppey Academy but there remains an overall deficit of Year 7 places that needs to be addressed.

The commissioning of a new all through school to include 2FE primary provision and 6FE secondary agreed with developers on the North Sittingbourne (Quinton Road) site has been delayed due to the housing development not coming forward according to the original timeline as set out within the Local Plan. Following discussions with the developer, the school site is now not expected to transfer until 2026. If this remains the case, the earliest date for delivery of a new school would be September 2028. Discussions on options to meet the non-selective secondary place need in the period 2024 to 2028 are ongoing, meanwhile proposals to meet the shorter term pressures are being brought forward after discussion with the local secondary schools.

To help meet the predicted pressure on places in the Sittingbourne non-selective planning group, the proposal is to expand (on a temporary basis), Westlands, The Sittingbourne School and Fulston Manor for September 2022 and September 2023.

Background:

Additional capacity for Swale secondary provision was secured through a temporary expansion of Westlands Secondary Academy by 45 places for September 2019, 2020, and 2021. The Sittingbourne School also temporary expanded by 30 places for September 2021 for Year 7 entry. To meet the need for additional grammar places both Highsted and Borden Grammar Schools are proposing to expand permanently by 1FE from September 2022. A temporary expansion of The Abbey School for 30 places for September 2021 was also secured and a permanent 1FE expansion is being progressed.

The Kent commissioning plan for 2021-2025 shows a projected deficit of -93 places September 2022 and -176 for September 2023 for the Sittingbourne non-selective secondary planning group.

For September 2022 and September 2023, it is therefore proposed to temporarily expand:

• Westlands Secondary School by 30 places (1FE)
• The Sittingbourne School by 30 places (1FE)
• Fulston Manor by 15 places (0.5FE)

A total of 75 (2.5FE) additional Year 7 places in Sittingbourne non-selective planning area for both September 2022 and September 2023.The surplus capacity in the Isle of Sheppey non-selective planning area will also support the deficit in the Sittingbourne non-selective planning group.

There is a need to secure a permanent solution to the secondary place pressures from September 2024 onwards and options are being investigated.

Options:

The new 6FE Secondary school on Quinton Road has not been able to be progressed.

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

This proposal will help to secure our ambition “to ensure that Kent’s young people have access to the education, work and skills opportunities necessary to support Kent business to grow and be increasingly competitive in the national and international economy” as set out in ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

(i)       agree to provide £1M from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the temporary expansion of Westlands Secondary School by 1FE (30 places) for September 2022 and September 2023.

(ii)       agree to provide £1M from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the temporary expansion of The Sittingbourne School by 1FE (30 places) for September 2022 and September 2023.

(iii)      agree to provide £1M from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the temporary expansion of Fulston Manor by 0.5FE (15 places) for September 2022 and September 2023.

(iv)      Authorise the Director of Education in consultation with the General Counsel to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

Proposed decision:  

i.             agree to change the use of Garlinge Children Centre building to provide a 16 place Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

ii.            to agree to provide Children’s Centre Services to the community served by Garlinge Children’s Centre through Birchington Children’s Centre by extending the opening hours of  Birchington Children’s Centre from part time to full time. Six Bells Children Centre in Margate is also within proximity of Garlinge.

iii.          to issue a public notice to change the use of Garlinge Children Centre building and to establish a 16 place Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Garlinge Primary School & Nursery from September 2022.

iv.          agree to provide £1.15 million from the Children’s, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the establishment of the 16 place SRP for ASD at Garlinge Primary School and Nursery.

v.            Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

vi.          Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

And, subject to no objections being received to the public notice

i.             establish a 16 place Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Garlinge Primary School & Nursery from September 2022.

Reason for the decision:

The decision is required as part of the statutory process to change the use of the Children’s centre building. Approval is required to publish the public notice to enable the establishment of the 16 place SRP at Garlinge Primary School and Nursery.

Background:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the most common special education need type in Kent with 42.7% of all EHCPs (0-25) having ASD as their primary need. In Thanet 50% of all EHCPs for Primary aged pupils have ASD named as their primary need in their Education Health and Care Plan. Despite this, Thanet does not have any Specialist Resource Provisions in any of its local schools. The nearest primary schools with specialist resource provisions for ASD for children in Thanet are in Canterbury and Whitstable.

We are therefore proposing to open two primary Specialist Resource Provisions for Thanet primary age children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. One in Holy Trinity and St John’s Primary School in Margate and another in Garlinge Primary School and Nursery.

Garlinge Children’s Centre was identified as a possible ideal location at Garlinge Primary School for the Specialist Resourced Provision; however this would mean the closure of the Children’s Centre. Early years, health (health visiting and midwifery) and parenting services delivered from Garlinge Children’s Centre would be transferred to the current part-time Birchington Children’s Centre, which is 3.4 miles from Garlinge Children’s Centre. Birchington Children’s Centre hours would be extended to full-time opening to accommodate the increased delivery of services. Children’s Centre service will also continue to offer targeted outreach to Garlinge service uses through home visiting, community venues and utilising space within the school.

Options (other options considered but discarded):

Consideration has been given to a different area of the school that currently has some intervention spaces and a sensory room and would require demolition of some temporary buildings. This space is near to the current Key Stage 2 (Junior) satellite class of Foreland Fields School on the Garlinge Primary site. There is a separate proposal to provide a Key Stage 1 (Infant) satellite class of Foreland Fields School. However, if the Specialist Resource Provision is sited here, the proposal for the Infant satellite class of Foreland Fields School could not be brought forward.

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

This proposal will help to secure our ambition “to ensure that Kent’s young people have access to the education, work and skills opportunities necessary to support Kent business to grow and be increasingly competitive in the national and international economy”

The proposal also supports Kent’s Strategy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 2021-2024

The Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2021-2025 sets out our commissioning intentions to meet the need for specialist provisions across Kent. A mixture of new schools, expansion of existing and the establishment of satellites and SRPs will be commissioned across Kent to meet the need.

As Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills I agree to:

i.               change the use of Garlinge Children Centre building to provide a 16 place Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

ii.             provide Children’s Centre Services to the community served by Garlinge Children’s Centre through Birchington Children’s Centre by extending the opening hours of Birchington Children’s Centre from part time to full time. Six Bells Children Centre in Margate is also within proximity of Garlinge.

iii.            issue a public notice to establish a 16 place Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Garlinge Primary School & Nursery from September 2022.

iv.            provide £1.15 million from the Children, Young People and Education Capital Budget for the establishment of the 16 place SRP for ASD at Garlinge Primary School and Nursery.

v.             Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.

vi.            Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

And, subject to no objections being received to the public notice

i.               establish a 16 place Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Garlinge Primary School & Nursery from September 2022.

Proposed decision:

To determine the primary and secondary school co-ordinated admissions schemes for 2023 intake year and the admission arrangements for Kent community and voluntary controlled primary schools and the admission arrangements for Kent community and voluntary controlled secondary schools for 2023 intake year.

Background:

Admission authorities are legally required to determine admissions arrangements for their schools by 28 February each year, even if no changes are proposed. It is intended that admissions arrangements for schools where KCC is the admissions authority are to remain unchanged.

Local Authorities are also required to determine an Admissions scheme for schools within their geographical boundaries, which details how the co-ordinated and in year admissions processes will operate for the forthcoming year. No changes are proposed to the Admissions scheme for the 2023 intake year, so it was not necessary to consult on the scheme this year either.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is therefore requested to approve the proposed admission arrangements and scheme.

Legal Implications:

Section 13A of the Education Act 1996 states every admission authority must, before the beginning of each school year determine the admission arrangements which are to apply for that year 7. Local authorities are required by Section 92 of the School Standards and Framework Act and the Education (School Information) (England) Regulations 2008 to publish admission arrangements for all maintained schools in their area. Under section 88(1A) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (as inserted by section 42 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006) it is the duty of a governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school, for which a local authority is the admissions authority, to implement any decision relating to the admission of pupils taken by the admission authority. Similarly, under section 89(3A) of the 1998 Act and regulations, the governing body of a voluntary aided or foundation school must implement a decision of the local authority, made under the relevant co-ordinated admission arrangements, whether a child should be granted or refused admission to the school. Failure to do so would amount to a breach of the admission authority’s statutory duty.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills,I determine:

a)    The Coordinated Primary Admissions Scheme 2023/24 incorporating the In Year admissions process and relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Infant, Junior and Primary Schools as detailed in Appendix A

b)      The Co-ordinated Secondary Admissions Scheme 2023/24 incorporating the In Year admissions process and relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Secondary Schools as detailed in Appendix B

c)      The oversubscription criteria and Published Admissions Number relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary Schools in Kent 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix C

d)      The oversubscription criteria and Published Admissions Number relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Secondary Schools in Kent 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix D

Proposed decisions:

To continue to operate a booking system for customers to access all of Kent County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres

For the Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport to keep progress of the booking system under continuous review and to inherit the main delegations via the Officer Scheme of Delegation to make any further operational changes to the booking system to maximise customer service.

Background:

After a period of temporary closure to adhere to the government’s Covid-19 restrictions, Kent County Council (KCC) re-opened the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) on 15 May 2020 and used a booking system to safely manage access.

Whilst the booking system was introduced to help manage demand at the HWRCs in response to social distancing and revised workplace rules, it has provided operational benefit and received positive customer feedback.

A public consultation was undertaken to gain views from the public and stakeholders on its future use. This exercise did not highlight any new information that would support a withdrawal of the booking system.

The Covid-19 pandemic remains a risk to both operational staff and the public. The system allows demand to be safely managed irrespective of any Covid restrictions which also providing on-going operational benefit to the service.

Following its inception, the system has evolved and adapted to customer and operator/contractor feedback. The consultation has highlighted ‘on the day’ booking and further integration with other operational systems further modifications for the system to address.

These both seek to further enhance the customer experience and to make the service more efficient and effective.

Other options considered but rejected:

1. Return to access to the HWRCs without the requirement to book
2. Implement a hybrid booking system

How the proposed decision meets the priority actions of Setting the Course: Kent County Council’s Interim Strategic Plan (December 2020)

The continued use of the HWRC booking system will meet the following priority actions:

• Deliver a balanced budget and develop a sustainable medium-term financial plan
• Use technology to improve efficiency and reduce cost
• Develop a stronger evidence-based approach to managing demand
• Deliver net-zero for Kent by 2050 and promote climate resilience

Financial Implications:

The contracted operators will be able to reduce overhead costs by £150k pa as the demand at the sites is better managed. These savings are included with in the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP); this saving is wholly associated with this policy proposal.

By operating the booking system in 20/21 there has been a change in public behaviour and communities seek to re-use items before planning a visit to sites. There has been less cross border usage and an increased use of skip hire.

Site operatives have had more time to assist customers in sorting and maximise levels of recycling. The public has made more use of the districts chargeable bulky collection services. This has reduced volumes of waste processed, whilst increasing recycling. A budget target was set within the current year to deliver efficiencies by the Waste Disposal Authority of £1.3m.

The cost of operating the current booking system is £21,000 per year including licence, software, set up and provider support. There was an additional cost of £25,000 to cover the increased calls to KCC’s Contact Centre to answer Waste Management enquires during the pandemic and take bookings for customers unable to do so online.

Costs associated with the roll-out of ‘on the day’ booking are modest, these are limited to some additional connectivity requirements at some HWRCs and additional tablet devices for sites, these will be funded using existing budgets.

Equalities implications:

An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) was completed prior to the booking system being introduced in May 2020 and again before the consultation to ensure consideration was given to the impact of the system and the approach to consultation. The initial assessments indicated that any impact on users could be reasonably mitigated. Respondents were asked for any comments about the EqIA as part of the consultation questionnaire.

The EqIA was reviewed after the consultation to enable KCC to respond to any new issues that arose during the consultation and to ensure no groups were disadvantaged. In the initial screening, age, disability, and race were identified as being potentially impacted. The public consultation responses revealed some further low negative impacts to these protected characteristics and an additional impact for ‘pregnancy and maternity’ and ‘carer’s responsibilities’. These further potential impacts identified can be mitigated, including better advertising of the telephone booking service and the roll-out of the ability to be able to book ‘on the day’.

As Cabinet Member for Environment, I agree:

for the Waste Management service to operate permanently a booking system for customers to access Kent County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres and,

for the Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport to keep progress of the booking system under review and to inherit the main delegations via the Officer Scheme of Delegation to make any further operational changes to the booking system to maximise customer service.