Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area

1.1. This report seeks support for a recommendation to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources to apply for planning permission to locate a double temporary classroom on either the site of Abbotswood Junior School, Totton or Bartley C of E Junior School to house The Clifford Centre.

1.2. Planning permission is being sought for both sites to ensure that the provision is in place for September 2009.

2) Issues Covered in Report

2.1. This report supports each of the corporate priorities by ensuring that pupils are adequately accommodated until permanent accommodation is made available.

2.2. Negotiations to locate the Clifford Centre, Totton on either of the above school sites are taking place, but are subject to the approval of the individual governing bodies. Therefore planning permission is proposed to be sought for both sites to ensure that the provision is in place for September 2009.

3) Recommendations

It is recommended that:

3.1. approval from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources is sought to submit planning applications for the siting of a double temporary classroom for the Clifford Centre on one or other site until August 2013. It is proposed that the cost of up to £0.150m be met from the 2009/10 capital programme contingency.

MAIN REPORT

1) Contextual Information

1.1. The five outcomes specified in the Children Act are set out below, 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, the provision of health advice through children's centres and co-location with the Health Service;

· 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.

1.2. The review of special school provision in the New Forest was approved by Cabinet on 21 May 2007 to transform special school provision in the New Forest by the establishment of a new special school catering for the full range of learning difficulties which will be located on the Forest Edge site, currently part-occupied by the Clifford Centre.

1.3. The Clifford Centre is currently used as a base for the Behaviour Support Team (BST) who work to support primary school pupils through providing early intervention and preventative work with particular reference to pupil behaviour.

2) Key Issues

2.1. The planned East New Forest Complex Learning Difficulties (CLD) school capital project requires the relocation of the Clifford Centre. The option to relocate the centre to either Abbotswood Junior School or Bartley C of E Junior School are considered suitable locations for which detailed discussions are taking place with both schools.

2.2. It is recommended that approval from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources is sought to submit planning applications for the siting of a double temporary classroom on one or other site until August 2013. It is proposed that the cost of up to £0.150m be met from the 2009/10 capital programme contingency.

3) Conclusions

3.1. That approval be sought to seek planning permission for the siting of a double temporary classroom on the Abbotswood Junior school, Totton site and Bartley C of E Junior school site until August 2013.

4) Recommendations

Please see Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION: