Issue details

20/00097 - Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2021-25

 

 

Proposed decision –

 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is asked to agree the Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2021-25.

 

 

Background –

 

The Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent (KCP) is a five-year rolling plan which is updated annually. It sets out how Kent discharges its statutory responsibility, as the Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision, to provide sufficient Early Years, SEND, Primary and Secondary places and to ensure that there are appropriate learning pathways for pupils at Post 16.  It is also our responsibility to ensure that we have enough places in the right locations, to meet the demands of increased pupil numbers and parental preferences.  It reflects the fact that the Local Authority’s role has changed to being the commissioner, as well as continuing to be a provider, of education provision. 

 

Options -

 

The Education Commissioning Plan sets out the principles by which we determine proposals, and it forecasts the need for future provision.  It also sets out in more detail plans to meet the commissioning needs which arise in each District in Kent, during the next two to three years.

 

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’:

 

Outcome 1 states that children and young people in Kent get the best start in life.  The Commission Plan will ensure that there are sufficient, high quality early years, primary and secondary school places in all Districts.

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Division affected: (All Division);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 07/09/2020

Decision due: Not before 3rd Oct 2020 by Cabinet
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 Education and Skills

Lead director: Matt Dunkley CBE

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

Cabinet Committee consultation planned or undertaken.  If planned – which meeting do you wish to attend? 

 

CYPECC 18 November 2020

Cabinet January 2021

 

Have views been sought from local Members?  If not please confirm that they will be sought and included in any report to Cabinet Committee / Cabinet Member.

 

Local Members are briefed on the key issues and commissioning intentions identified in the Commissioning Plan during the Autumn Member Briefings.

Further consultation is undertaken at the CYPECC meeting on 18 November 2020.

 

The views of Local Members on individual school consultations in their Divisions will be sought as they come forward.

 

Is any public consultation planned or has already been undertaken?

 

Individual consultations will be undertaken on each proposal outlined in the Commissioning Plan as required.

 

Financial implications: The Local Authority as Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision has a key role in securing funding to provide sufficient education provision in the County, particularly in schools, in order to meet its statutory responsibilities. The cost of providing additional school places is met from Government Basic Need Grant, supported borrowing by KCC and developer contribution monies. The forecast capital outlay needed to fulfil the need identified in the Commission Plan 2021-25 will be provided in the report to CYPE Cabinet Committee on 18 November 2020 for comment, prior to full sign off by Cabinet in January 2021.

Legal implications: The Kent Commissioning Plan for Education enables KCC to meet its Statutory responsibility to ensure that every child receives appropriate educational provision.

Equalities implications: A full EqIA will be completed and will be presented to The CYPE Committee on 18 November 2020.

Decisions

Documents