Councillor Kam Kaur (Portfolio Holder for Education) moved the recommendation as set out in the report.  Councillor Mandy Tromans seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Debate

Councillor Tracey Drew quoted paragraph 3.4 of the report that “the vehicle access and car parking will be configured to allow future shared access to the existing Evergreen School adjacent to the site if required should expansion of the special provision be undertaken.”.  Councillor Drew commented that the group would continue to push for design and build that maximised access and opportunities for active travel as well as vehicle travel. She reminded the meeting that Myton Road was a national cycle route and therefore, joining up the cycling and walking routes at the front and rear of this building was essential. 

Councillor John Holland raised two issues: one regarding the lack of developer funding to support the building of Myton Gardens Primary School and the other focussing on the siting of Oakley Grove School.

Councillor Parminder Singh Birdi considered that the scheme was much needed and welcomed the investment in education.

Councillor Mandy Tromans spoke in support of the report, welcoming the proactive investment in the area to address shortfalls in provision.

In response Councillor Kaur noted that the siting of Oakley Grove and the associated negotiation of Section 106 funding was the responsibility of Warwick District Council and funding had already been allocated.

Vote

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was carried by a majority.

Resolved:

That Council agrees to add to the capital programme the scheme delivery of a school at Myton Gardens, at a cost of £13.400 million funded from Department for Education grant.

A report recommending additions to the Education Capital Programme.

Cabinet Portfolio Holders – Councillors Peter Butlin and Kam Kaur

Councillor Peter Butlin (Deputy Leader of the Council) opened this item and set out the further additions to the Education Capital Programme as detailed in the report: Myton Gardens (new primary school in Warwick), Long Itchington CofE Primary School (Stratford on Avon District), Aylesford School washroom refurbishment (Warwick District), and Burton Green CofE Primary School (Warwick District).

Councillor John Holland commented on the need to provide infrastructure for new developments and the lack of developer contributions.  In response, Councillor Butlin noted the impact of inflation and the need for a pragmatic approach to the shortfall in section 106 agreement funding. 

Councillor Holland also raised the siting of Oakley Grove School and Councillor Butlin responded that this had been the subject of debates in the past.  Councillor Seccombe requested that Councillor Holland be provided with the relevant related Local Plan information.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.     Recommends to Council that £13.400 million be added to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Myton Gardens, to be funded from Department for Education grant.

2.     Approves the addition to the capital programme of £0.470m funded from developer contributions, Department for Education grant and academy trust contributions to deliver the remaining schemes in section 3 of the report, provided that the release of funding for the scheme at Long Itchington Primary School is subject to confirmation of the remaining funding by the Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust.

3.     Authorises, subject to Council’s agreement to the required addition to the Capital Programme and prior agreement from the Strategic Director for Resources as to whether a project will be school led or not, the Strategic Director for People in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, to invite tenders and enter into the appropriate contracts or (where the scheme is school led) to make the necessary funding arrangements for these schemes on terms and conditions considered acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources