Purpose

To approve capital funding obtained through
planning obligations (Section 106) to undertake internal
remodelling and provide a small extension to create an 80m²
science laboratory, creation of a new toilet suite and installation
of a canopy at The Weston Road Academy, Stafford.

Content

To approve the utilisation of Section 106
(capital) funding for a project to undertake internal remodelling
and provide a small extension to create an 80m² science
laboratory, creation of a new toilet suite and installation of a
canopy at The Weston Road Academy, Stafford.

The project will enable the Academy to continue to admit
additional
secondary school aged children generated from new housing
developments
within the local area. The additional accommodation will alleviate
pressure at the school and enhance and improve the facilities of
the school to deliver the curriculum effectively.

Entrust colleagues have provided an estimated cost to deliver the
project as an upper limit of £650,000. S106 Education
Contributions secured (and received) that can be utilised towards
the project are £699,200. Approval is sought to utilise the
Section 106 funding up to the maximum of £699,200 to deliver
the project at the Academy. SCC will not be contributing further to
the project.

Alternative options considered

Until the new secondary school is built there
is unprecedented catchment
demand for secondary school places in the North of Stafford,
predominantly at The Weston Road Academy and Sir Graham
Balfour
School. This increased demand for school places is likely to
continue at
these two schools due to the housing development that has been
built
and continues to be built within the catchments.

In order to meet the increased demand at The Weston Road Academy
a
project to provide additional specialist accommodation and
facilities will alleviate pressure at the school and enhance and
improve the facilities of the school to deliver the curriculum
effectively.