Background Information:
In January 2017 the Cabinet Member agreed to the expansion of Deal Parochial Primary School by 1FE, with effect from 1 September 2018. The decision was subject to planning permission being obtained. The expansion of the school was intended to add capacity and address the need for places as forecast in the 2017-21 Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent, together with demand from consented housing developments.
In April 2018 a decision was taken to delay the expansion of the school and the associated change in published admissions number until September 2020. This was due to less demand for primary places than previously forecast. Forecasts now suggest that the will be sufficient primary school places throughout the forecast period (2019-20 to 2022-23). Therefore, the planned expansion will not need to go ahead, and we would recommend that the decision to expand is formally revoked.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Deal & Walmer;
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: David Adams, Assistant Director Education (South Kent) Tel: 03000 414989 Email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01233 898559.
Consultees
This matter does not need to be considered by the Infrastructure Commissioning Board because the proposal is outside the terms of reference.
A consultation on the planned expansion took place in 2016. No consultation will be needed if the decision is revoked, however all stakeholders will be fully informed.
A paper was presented to the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 28 March 2019.
Financial implications: Developer contributions of £950,000 are anticipated but have not yet been received. All will be held to support future expansion. £2,850,000 committed from the Children’s, Young People and Education Capital budget will therefore be available to support the wider CYPE capital programme of which £42,372 has been spent so far on the feasibility work, minor alterations to Year R toilets and project management fees.
Legal implications: NA
Equalities implications: The Equality Impact Assessment is in place. No adverse impacts have been identified at this point as we forecast sufficient primary school places in Deal for the foreseeable future.