Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on Friday 31 January 2003.

PRESENT:

Councillors: B.D. Dash; J.K. Glen; Jo Kelly; Mrs P.G. Peskett; Mrs E.M.F. Randall.

Also in attendance: Councillors Mrs A.E. Bailey, Mrs P. Dickens

15. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor J.K. Glen was appointed Chairman for this meeting only.

16. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Mrs P. Dickens declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 20 below as a resident of Bereweeke Road, Winchester.

17. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Panel meeting held on Tuesday 15 October 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

18. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

No Chairman's communications had been received.

19. DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been received.

20. WINCHESTER EARLY YEARS CENTRE

The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer and Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Panel Members on developments that had taken place since the last meeting.


    In particular, the Panel were informed of the outcome of local consultations and progress made in the design of the proposed Early Years Centre and the outcome of discussions with the headteacher and chairman of governors of Winnall Primary School and with representatives of the Community Centre pre-school regarding the provision of pre-school facilities on the school site.


    The County Education Officer also reported on developments with regard to the County Council's Early Excellence Centre bid to the DfES. The outcome of the bid had been expected in December 2002 but the DfES had since made an announcement that it would be made at the end of February 2003 at the earliest. Underlying these developments were issues arising out of the summer spending review, one of which related to the development of Children's Centres based on services being developed in the 20% most deprived wards nationally. The Panel were informed that the County Education Officer had responded to the DfES letter which had asked for a reduction in the scope of the project, emphasizing the County Council's total commitment to the scheme.

    The Panel were advised that, subject to a successful outcome of the Early Excellence Centre bid, a detailed planning application would be made to Winchester City Council for the use of the Bereweeke Road site and the County Council would be working with Winchester City Council to agree conditions on any planning approval which would address issues of concern raised in consultations with local residents. Were the bid to be unsuccessful, the County Council would need to review the nature and scale of the proposals as a whole. The Panel discussed in detail the voluntary planning agreement to be entered into with Winchester City Council and advised the Executive Member for Education that the Bereweeke Road site be solely used as an Early Years Centre for a period of at least 20 years.

    RESOLVED:

    That the Executive Member for Education be requested to:

      (i) Note the progress made in the preparation of detailed design proposals following extensive local consultations;

      (ii) Endorse the proposal to volunteer a restriction of the use of the Bereweeke Road site to an Early Years Centre for a period of at least 20 years in a planning agreement with Winchester City Council;

      (iii) Note the latest situation with regard to the bid to the DfES that the Centre becomes an Early Excellence Centre;

      (iv) Thank officers for the extensive local consultations and design proposals.

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