Background:
The Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2019-2023 sets out how we will carry out our responsibility for ensuring there are sufficient places of high quality, in the right places, for all learners and this proposal supports that aim to provide sufficient places where they are needed.
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 (2015 2020)’.
The Commissioning Plan forecasts indicate a growing demand for Year 7 places in Maidstone from the start of the 2019-20 academic year. The Maidstone Non-Selective Planning Group is forecast to have a deficit of 132 Year 7 places from 2019-20 that increases to a deficit of 365 places by the end of the Commissioning Plan period. This represents significant medium-term pressure for additional Year 7 places, which could not reasonably be met by a Free School in central Maidstone or via additional temporary provision.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Maidstone Central;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 19/03/2019
Decision due: Not before 17th Apr 2019 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
This matter will be considered by the Infrastructure Commissioning Board on 30 April 2019 or 24 May 2019.
An education consultation will be completed by the academy’s Governing Body prior to the Cabinet Committee, as part of the fast track business case process. Further information is available on the School Consultation webpage:
www.kent.gov.uk/schoolconsultations
The results of the consultation were outlined to the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee at the meeting on 28 March 2019.
The view of the local member will be sought prior to the Cabinet Committee.
Financial implications: The total cost is estimated to be in the region of £6.0m from the Basic Need budget. The costs are estimates and these may increase as the project is developed. If, despite value engineering, the cost of the project were to exceed the budget by more than 10% the Cabinet Member would be required to take a further decision.
Legal implications: None have been identified at this stage.
Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment will be produced and will be accessible on line via the following link: www.kent.gov.uk/schoolconsultations.