Proposed decision:
I. Approve the progression of works and additional £275,000 of capital funding to deliver the sports fields requirement for this school.
II. Authorise the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Director of Education and General Counsel to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council.
Background Information:
Whitfield Aspen is a Primary School across two sites; it is unique in the way that mainstream, and SEN pupils are fully integrated
It is essential for service delivery that adequate hard, soft, and grassed play areas are provided
Since occupation the school has been without a sports field or grassed play area.
By the earliest date that is currently predicted the lack of grass play will have been in excess of two and a half years
The landscaping work must commence from the beginning of September to take advantage of optimal seasonal conditions. Works are expected to take 4 weeks. Delaying the contract until the end of September would mean that the works will be deferred until April 2023 and the School will be without a sports field until Summer 2024 due to the required growing period.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Dover West;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 10/08/2022
Decision due: Not before 18th Aug 2022 by Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Lead director: Christine McInnes
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Lee Round, Governor Support Officer Email: lee.round@kent.gov.uk 03000412309 Email: lee.round@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
A public consultation was not required in regard of this decision.
This non-key decision will be reported to the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 13th September.
Financial implications: There is £175,000 remaining in the current Record of Decision 16/00032 (£7,990,000). The contract sum for the landscaping is currently £450,000, which includes for provision of trackway to protect tarmac access & egress routes The additional £275,000 requested will increase the funding allocated to the school to £8,265,000. A Key Decision report (22/00064) will be taken to the CYPE Cabinet Committee on 13th September for further £1,225,000 funding to support the additional works required to complete the satellite site over and above the sports field contract and the initial ROD.
Legal implications: KCC as the LA has a duty to ensure sufficient school places are available.
Equalities implications: An EQIA has been completed