Issue - meetings

To receive the report by the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services to consider and endorse or make recommendations on the decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform on the proposed changes to Maidstone Grammar School (Boys).

1)         Jared Nehra, Area Education Officer - West Kent, introduced a report on the proposed changes to Maidstone Grammar School (Boys) and explained that this was in response to a need for additional school places.  He further informed the Committee that Maidstone Grammar School (Boys) was an outstanding school and that the almost £2 million of the cost would be offset by the developers’ contribution.  He said the recommendation was that £3.58 million be allocated from the Basic Needs budget to fund the permanent expansion of Maidstone Grammar School (Boys), Barton Road, Maidstone, Kent ME15 7BT by one form of entry.

2)         Members expressed their support for the proposal.

3)         The Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee endorsed the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform’s proposed decision to:

i)   Allocate £3.58 million from the Basic Needs budget to fund the permanent expansion of Maidstone Grammar School, Barton Road, Maidstone, Kent ME15 7BT by one form of entry, which over a period of time was expected to be offset by significant developer contributions;

ii)  Authorise the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Director of Governance and Law to enter into any necessary contracts/ agreements on behalf of the County Council;

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

iv)This decision is conditional upon planning permission being granted.