Issue - meetings

1.

Title of Item/Report

Schools Capital Investment Strategy SEND St Johns and Mill Lane

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that sought approval for capital investment in the development and enhancement of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision across the Borough. This funding would support two planned projects aimed at increasing local capacity and ensuring the Council meets its statutory obligations to children and young people with SEND.

The two planned projects were at St John the Baptist Primary School and Mill Lane Primary School. The report contained the full details of the planned projects.

RESOLVED that:-

1. £5.35m of capital funding be invested at St John the Baptist Primary School, to undertake necessary building work and essential works to the school to maintain the 24 SEND Unit places and allow for the displaced early years provision to be reunified in the main school building.

2. £1.7m of capital funding be invested at Mill Lane Primary School, to create a SEND Unit for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs.

3. Authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, to take all necessary steps to deliver the projects within the approved budgets.

4. The transfer of budget caused by cost variations within the approved programme be delegated to the Section 151 Officer and the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Transport and the Cabinet Member for Children’s and Young People.

5. Authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, to allocate the contingency of £600,000 if required within the approved programme.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

Cabinet approval is required for the following reasons:

•         The scale of the proposed capital expenditure.

•         Investment is essential to meeting growing and changing demand for SEND places, fulfilling statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014.

•         Increasing local provision will help reduce escalating high needs expenditure on high cost out of area placements and pressures on community transport.

•         Timely approval is necessary to meet key deadlines for design, procurement, and delivery to ensure commencement of work to begin in the upcoming academic year.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

Councillor Pauline Beall declared an Other Registerable Interest with regard to agenda item 14 - Schools Capital Investment Strategy SEND St Johns and Mill Lane as she was a member of the Governing Body at Mill Lane Primary School. Councillor Pauline Beall withdrew from the meeting and left the room during consideration of the item.

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, Friday, 25 July 2025