Archived decisions
REPORT OF THE
EXECUTIVE LEAD MEMBER FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES
SCHOOL PLACES PLAN
1. The County Council has a statutory duty to plan the provision of school places and to secure an appropriate balance locally between supply and demand. The need for school places changes in response to population movements and birth rate variations. In many areas of the county the child population is declining; in other areas new housing developments are creating a need for additional school accommodation. Population changes mean that schools may go through periods when there is pressure on places and others when there is a surplus.
2. Each year a School Places Plan (SPP) is prepared as a planning tool to respond to new developments and to respond to the need to review surplus places. The 2008 revision of the SSP was approved by the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services on 24th July, 2008, following consultation with schools and other interested parties. A revised plan has now been prepared with January, 2009 data, to cover the period between 2009/10 to 2012/13.
3. Before this latest draft plan was published, all district and borough councils were invited to comment on references to their local area, so as to ensure the plan contains the most up-to-date information available. All responses received were incorporated into the consultation draft. Details were sent to all county councillors, other county council departments, all district and borough councils in Hampshire, adjoining local authorities and other interested organisations. A communication was also sent to all headteachers and chairs of governors inviting comments. A closing date of 3 July was given for responses to be submitted.
4. Twelve responses were received during the consultation period. None of these raised any fundamental issues. The Executive Lead Member for Children's Services has considered details of the responses, along with some suggested textual amendments and has approved the revised School Places Plan 2009 for publication. As well as appearing on Hantsnet, all those originally consulted are to be notified that it is available along with other interested bodies, including parish councils.
5. This report arises from consideration of the report by the Executive Lead Member on 22 July, 2009, which is on Hantsnet at : /decisions/decisions-docs/090722-excsed-ro715121149. The School Places Plan 2009 itself is available at http://www3.hants.gov.uk/education/schools/school-places.
DAVID KIRK
Executive Lead Member for Children's Services
8fR900809