Issue details

17/00132 - Proposed changes to Meadowfield (Foundation Special) School, Sittingbourne for 1 September 2019

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Division affected: Sittingbourne South;

Notice of proposed decision first published: 20/12/2017

Decision due: Not before 24th Jan 2018 by Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education

Lead director: Keith Abbott

Department: Education & Young People's Services

Contact: Marisa White, Area Education Officer - East Kent Tel: 03000 418794 Email: marisa.white@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01227 284407.

Consultees

23 November 2016 - the Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2016-20 was endorsed by the Cabinet Committee prior to the final version being considered and approved by Cabinet on 23 January 2017

 

30 March 2017 – The Education Cabinet Committee considered and endorsed recommendations to release £1.14m capital to provide additional infrastructure for Year R – KS1


A public consultation commenced on 10 October 2017 and will conclude on 14 November 2017.  A drop-in information session for parents was held on 19 October 2017.  An Equality Impact Assessment has been completed as part of the consultation.  The documentation can be viewed online at: www.kent.gov.uk/schoolconsultations

Financial implications: A feasibility study was completed to provide the School with accommodation to meet the needs of the additional children including: a new 2 storey 6th form centre combined with a 1.5 storey PE hall; some internal reconfiguration of current 6th form accommodation to accommodate the expanding pupils groups as they move through the school. The total cost of this project is estimated to be in the region of £3.95 million from Basic Need budget. The costs are estimates which may increase as the project is developed. If the cost of the project would be exceeded by more than 10% the Cabinet Member will be required to take a further decision to allocate the additional funding. The school will receive increased funding through the Delegated Budget. Special schools are funded using the DfE Place Plus funding methodology for High Needs Pupils. Revenue funding will also be allocated to enable the School to resource the new classrooms. At present, this is funded a rate of £6,000 per classroom.

Legal implications: Any legal implications were identified in the report to the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 18 January 2018.

Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment has been via the following link: www.kent.gov.uk/schoolconsultations

Decisions

Agenda items