Issue - meetings

The Corporate Director of People to present a report which seeks approval for capital works at Applefields Special School to accommodate a growth in pupil numbers, and at the Danesgate Community for adaptations to the site, to improve provision for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Resolved:  (i)      That works to complete classroom adaptations at Applefields School by September 2021 and the provision of essential administrative space by September 2022 (Option 3) be approved, and that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of People (in consultation with the Director of Governance or her delegated officers) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting construction contracts.

Reason:     To provide sufficient special school places for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

                   (ii)      That works to carry out adaptations at Danesgate by September 2022 (Option 3) be approved, and that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of People (in consultation with the Director of Governance or her delegated officers) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting construction contracts.

Reason:     To improve in-city provision for children and young people with SEMH.

The Assistant Director, Education & Skills presented a report which sought approval for capital works at Applefields Special School to accommodate a growth in pupil numbers, and at the Danesgate Community for adaptations to the site, to improve provision for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

In respect of Applefields, the following options were presented, as detailed in paragraphs 14-36 of the report:

Option 1 – do nothing.  Not recommended, as the needs of pupils could not be met in the current building.

Option 2 – provide additional teaching accommodation only.  This would mean some staff would need to be relocated off site.

Option 3 – provide additional teaching and office accommodation, as recommended.

In respect of Danesgate, the following options were presented, as detailed in paragraphs 61-71:

Option 1 – do nothing.  Not recommended, as it was impossible to accommodate all students needing a place on the existing site.

Option 2 – provide additional accommodation on and off site to cater for existing cohorts.  Not recommended, as there was little space on site, and off site provision was difficult and expensive.

Option 3 – Re-organise the existing site for students with a range of different needs, as recommended.

The current estimated total cost of the proposed works was £2,665,000, to be funded by a combination of the remaining SEND Facilities Scheme budget, new funding announced by the DfE for SEND provision, and a further allocation of uncommitted Basic Need funding.

Comments of the relevant portfolio holders who were not present at the meeting were reported by the Executive Member for Finance & Performance.  All welcomed the proposals.

Resolved:  (i)      That works to complete classroom adaptations at Applefields School by September 2021 and the provision of essential administrative space by September 2022 (Option 3) be approved, and that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of People (in consultation with the Director of Governance or her delegated officers) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting construction contracts.

Reason:     To provide sufficient special school places for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

                   (ii)      That works to carry out adaptations at Danesgate by September 2022 (Option 3) be approved, and that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of People (in consultation with the Director of Governance or her delegated officers) to take such steps as are necessary to procure, award and enter into the resulting construction contracts.

Reason:     To improve in-city provision for children and young people with SEMH.