Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the EASTLEIGH/WINCHESTER SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS - MEMBERS PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 14 May 2002.

PRESENT:

Councillors: M.F. Cartwright; B.D. Dash; Jo Kelly; Mrs Anna McNair Scott; Mrs P.G. Peskett; Mrs E.M.F. Randall.

Co-opted Member: Mrs Barfoot


Also in attendance: Councillors D.G. Allen, Mrs A.E. Bailey, Mrs P. Dickens, Mrs S.M. Glasspool, P.K. Mason.

6. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

That Councillor Mrs Anna McNair Scott be appointed Chairman for this meeting.

7. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Panel meeting held on Tuesday 11 December 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

8. DEPUTATIONS

The Standing Orders relating to deputations were waived to allow a deputation to be heard at the meeting from Mr E.R. Eisenhauer representing residents of Bereweeke Road. The deputation set out reasons for objecting to the preferred option of developing the Early Years Centre on the detached Westgate School playing field in Bereweeke Road for the development of the Early Years Centre. (Minute No. 9 below refers).

9. PROPOSED WINCHESTER EARLY YEARS CENTRE - FEASIBILITY STUDIES

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer and Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 4 in the Minute Book) examining the feasibility of the development options available to the County Council for the provision of an Early Years Centre in Winchester.

    The Panel considered feasibility studies of three additional possible sites identified in Winchester. The sites included land at the Durngate, St. Peter's Car Park and at Bereweeke Road. The Panel were advised that the two city centre sites were restricted in terms of the land available, had high land costs and were found to be technically non-viable due to constraints imposed by the Environment Agency. Therefore, in the absence of any alternative viable site for the Early Years Centre, it was recommended that the detached Westgate School playing field in Bereweeke Road should be adopted as the preferred option.

    It was reported that whilst there were planning uncertainties affecting the Bereweeke Road site, it had the benefit of sufficient space to enable a single storey building to be built and offered the opportunity for generous recreational space within a landscaped setting. It was considered that the use of the Bereweeke Road site was the only one amongst the three additional sites and the five considered previously which offered the prospect of assembling a viable scheme.

    In recommending the development of the Bereweeke Road site, it was noted that the specific requirements of the Winnall and adjoining areas of Winchester could be met with new pre-school provision at Winnall Primary School as identified in the County Education Officer's wider review of the provision of nursery facilities in Winchester. It was suggested that further discussions take place with the school's governors and staff with a view to a site feasibility study being undertaken.

    The County Education Officer reported that there was significant support for the use of the Bereweeke Road site including support from the governors of Westgate School, the Chairman of the temporary governing body of the Centre, the head and Chairman of Governors of Winnall Primary School, the Chairman of Medecroft Development Group and the headteacher of Medecroft Opportunity Centre who was head designate of the Centre.

    The County Education Officer also reported that a bid had been submitted to the Government to recognise this development as an "Early Excellence Centre" which, if successful, would generate additional capital or revenue funding for further services to be provided for work with families, child development and training for Early Years' workers, including parents.

    Councillor Mrs P Dickens, as local Member, set out local residents concerns about the preferred option of the detached Westgate School playing field in Bereweeke Road.

    The Panel understood the concerns expressed by residents of Bereweeke Road and considered that site selection was difficult when balancing the needs of the wider community.


    RESOLVED:

      (i) That the Panel note the analysis of the options available to the County Council for the development of Winchester Early Years Centre as set out in the report.

      (ii) That the Executive Member for Education be advised that:

        (i) The detached Westgate School site at Bereweeke Road be selected as the preferred option.

        (ii) Detailed design, development and operational proposals be prepared to form the basis of applications for statutory approvals and funding from the DfES.

        (iii) Authority be given for further discussions with the temporary governing body of the Early Years Centre, the Westgate School, Winnall Primary School, Winchester City Council and local residents and the submission of the necessary planning application.