Background:
In July 2016 the Department for Education approved a Wave 11 bid proposed by the Tenax Trust to establish the St Andrew’s Primary Free School at Paddock Wood, Tunbridge Wells. The proposed new school will have the capacity for 420 pupils (2 FE) from reception to year 6. The bid also included an estimated 60 nursery places. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible for funding the delivery of the new school.
The ESFA has appointed KCC to act as the Local Delivery Agent (Responsible Body), with Gen2 acting as KCC’s Agent. As the Responsible Body, KCC will commit to procuring and delivering the scheme and will be the contracting authority for the purpose of the scheme. As the Responsible Body KCC is also responsible for compliance with all relevant statutory obligations and is required to secure any statutory approvals required to deliver the scheme.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Tunbridge Wells Rural;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 01/04/2019
Decision due: Not before 14th May 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
The matter does not need to be considered by the Infrastructure Commissioning Board as the proposal is outside of the terms of reference.
Consultation on the proposal to open a new school would be a matter for Tenax Trust and the DfE.
Financial implications: The ESFA has allocated funding for the build costs of the school (circa £8.35 million) and this will be secured within a Development Agreement prior to KCC entering any Construction Contract. There will be no capital funding requirements from KCC in relation to the scheme and therefore no impact on the County Council’s MTFP.
Legal implications: KCC will accept the contractual responsibilities for the construction contracts to deliver the new school.
Equalities implications: Tenax Trust and the Department for Education will have considered the equality impacts of opening a new school as part of their decision making. In respect of this proposed decision, to agree KCC can enter into a contract to deliver the school building, there are no known equalities implications.