Purpose

Following negotiations during the period of drafting the final agreements, it has been identified that the Side Agreement to the 125 year Academy Lease requires amendments.

Decision

a).The Council’s responsibility to provide maintenance and repair of the Woodeaton Manor School building after it converts to academy status by a further two years from 2029 until 2031 at an annual cap of up to £0.2m per annum (£0.4m in total) was approved; and

b). It was noted that while the Council expects the £0.2m per annum to be sufficient to meet anticipated ongoing maintenance costs, this sum does not provide for any unforeseen significant maintenance and repair works and associated costs which the Council would in any event pursuant to health and safety responsibilities fund subject to relevant approvals and governance.

Reasons for the decision

To enable Woodeaton Manor School to convert to academy status on 1 October 2025, the Council is required to have completed all legal agreements by 22 September 2025. This deadline is an extension to the Department for Education’s original set deadline of 1 September 2025.

Alternative options considered

Any other option would result in the delay of academisation, leading to further additional costs and uncertainty.