Purpose

This report sought  to confirm the intention of GORSE HALL PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL, to convert to an Academy and sought approval from the decision taker to a transfer and the granting of a 125-year lease of Council property to the AMBITION COMMUNITY TRUST and to enter into a Commercial Transfer Agreement.

Decision

i)            That approval be given to proceed with conversion to academy status of Gorse Hill Primary and Nursery School.

ii)            That approval be given for the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to be authorised to enter into a 125-year Lease in respect of the school site with the Ambition Community Trust.

iii)            That approval be given for the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to enter into a Commercial Transfer Agreement with the Ambition Community Trust, which takes into account the principle that risk and liability does not transfer back to the Council and in respect of which the funds and reserves to manage the risks/liabilities will transfer to the Academy and consequently the Council should be in no worse position because of the transfer.

iv)            That approval be given for pension arrangements to be agreed so that Academy Trust funds are pooled with Council funds, in respect of the pension fund liabilities in the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

v)            That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Finance, or their nominated representative, to execute any necessary Greater Manchester Pension Fund for Transferee Admission Bodies documentation.

Reasons for the decision

Non-directive Academy conversions are a matter for the governing body of the school to determine in line with the Academies Act 2010.

Alternative options considered

None.