Contacts: Ann Begley, County Manager (Organisation) Children's Services, 01962
846518
Bob Eardley, Strategic Planning Manager, Children's Services, 01962
846275

1 Summary

1.1 That the overall approach towards the management of school places set out in this paper is endorsed by Cabinet.

1.2 That the policy for managing surplus school places will be to:

a) reuse general teaching accommodation in schools with surplus places for specialist curriculum provision or community facilities, such as children's centres;

b) amalgamate infant and junior schools to form primary schools, thus retaining provision within communities;

c) pursue area reviews exceptionally and only where other options to reduce surpluses have proved unviable.

2 Reason

2.1 The proposals in this report support the Corporate Strategies "Maximising well-being" and "Enhancing our quality of place" by proposing policies for the effective management of school places and financial provision for building new schools.

2.2 The decision supports the five outcomes specified in the Children Act, with a summary of how the proposals in this report contribute to their achievement:

· being healthy (enjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle): through proposals which include the encouragement of walking and cycling to and from school;

· staying safe (being protected from harm and neglect): by creating safe environments in schools;

· enjoying and achieving (getting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood): by providing a high standard of education and care for children in suitable buildings;

· making a positive contribution (being involved with the community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour): by encouraging the flexible and creative use of accommodation;

· economic well-being (not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential in life): by ensuring that proposals will not disadvantage children, will protect equality of opportunity and support children from no or low income families to secure skills and qualifications.

3 Other Options considered and rejected

3.1 None

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T.K. Thornber, C.B.E. - Chairman