Issue - meetings

Councillor Kam Kaur (Portfolio Holder for Education) introduced this comprehensive report relating to projects at Wharton Nethersole CofE Primary School and St John’s Primary School in Kenilworth and moved the recommendations as set out in the report. 

Councillor Peter Butlin (Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property) seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Tracey Drew welcomed the statement in the report that “all future school capital projects will be developed in accordance with statutory regulations which include the revised Building Regulations 2021” and sought more detail regarding the challenges set out in section 5 of the report.

Councillor Dave Humphreys welcomed the project in Wharton Nethersole, but noted that much of the housing development in the area was already complete and he asked if the possibility of receiving Section 106 monies at an earlier stage could be considered for future projects so that amenities were available at an early stage in the development not at the end.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers welcomed additional places in Kenilworth given the amount of growth, but expressed concern that St John’s was some distance from the new growth which led him to believe that this would raise questions regarding transport at the planning stage.  Additionally, whilst these places were needed, he noted that there were two new junior schools to be built in the east of Kenilworth which seemed some time away from being in place.

Councillor Marian Humphreys welcomed the project in Wharton Nethersole.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Butlin commented on the three developments taking place in Wharton, including one where the Council was the developer, and how much the area needed this project.  He also considered that the project at Kenilworth demonstrated how much growth was taking place in Warwickshire, a reflection that it was a good place to both develop and live.

In response to the debate, Councillor Kaur stated that if sufficient funds and time were available, then the Council would seek to complete projects with full green sources but, in this case, providing the places was of paramount importance.  The Council would endeavour to use fossil fuel-free and zero carbon wherever possible but older buildings presented challenges in this regard. In terms of development funding and section 106 monies, she was only aware of one area where the developer had provided school amenities prior to building homes (Houlton).  She explained that the sufficiency team was a small unit consisting of just four individuals who undertook forecasting of demand for the whole of Warwickshire.  In-year changes, as a result of development, was causing some pressure but prioritisation would be given to those areas where demand was generating a need for school places.

Vote:

A vote on the motion took place which was carried unanimously.

Resolved:

That Council:

1.         Approves the addition of £2.868m to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Warton Nethersole CofE Primary School, to be funded by developer contributions and the Department for Education (DfE) Basic Need Grant.

2.         Approves the addition of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6

To consider the addition of education capital projects and funding to the capital programme.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder - Councillor Peter Butlin

Councillor Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Education, advised that this report sought approval for four projects to be added to the Education Capital Programme, as detailed in the report, in relation to Warton Nethersole CofE Primary School, St John’s Primary School, Shottery St Andrews CofE Primary School and Cubbington CofE Primary School.  The report also sought an increase in the pupils on roll at the specialist resourced provisions at Paddox Primary School and Water Orton Primary School as outlined in section 3 of the report.

Councillor Jenny Fradgley looked forward to the results of the project at Shottery St Andrews CofE Primary School and Councillor Marian Humphreys welcomed the project at Warton Nethersole.

Councillor Isobel Seccombe considered it was important for children to be supported through their education to become active members of their community and welcomed the efforts of schools to support that aim.

Councillor Peter Butlin advised that he had recently visited Warton to view three housing developments driving the need for the project there, one of which was being developed by the Council itself and offered 40% affordable housing, and he therefore very much welcomed the report. 

In conclusion, Councillor Kaur thanked the Education Sufficiency Team for their work to date.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.        Recommends to Council the addition of £2.868m to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at Warton Nethersole CofE Primary School to be funded by developer contributions and the Department for Education (DfE) Basic Need Grant.

2.        Approves the proposals for alterations at St John’s Primary School:

a.     To increase the capacity from one form entry (210 places) to two form entry (420 places).

b.     To establish specialist resourced provision (SRP) for up to 14 learners with SEND.

and recommends to Council the addition of £6.335m to the capital programme to deliver the scheme at St John’s Primary School which will be funded from developer contributions and the DfE Basic Need grant.

3.        Approves the addition to the Education Capital Programme of £0.328m to deliver the proposed schemes at Shottery St Andrews CofE Primary School and Cubbington CofE Primary School

4.        Approves the increase of pupils on roll at the specialist resourced provisions at Paddox Primary School and Water Orton Primary School as outlined in section 3 of the report.

5.        Subject to Council’s agreement to the required additions to the Capital Programme, delegates authority to the Executive 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 Executive Director for Resources.