Purpose

The Council has a statutory
duty to provide sufficient places in schools and early years
settings.
 
To support the achievement of
this duty, and to meet any risks in relation to school conditions
and access, the Council has received Basic Need capital funding
(for expansion of pupil places) of nil for 2024/25 and
£19.177m for 2025/26.
This report further details and
updates on the progress that has been made on existing projects to
meet demand for places as projected in December 2022. 
 
Section 6 sets out the
Council’s proposals to address the shortfall of
places.
All proposals are at the budget
estimate stage and will be met from within the grant allocation
available.
 
There is continued engagement
with the Department for Education to monitor sufficiency and
consider additional solutions to increase capacity.
 
The Council has a statutory
duty to secure sufficient school places that meet the needs of
children and young people with special educational needs and
disabilities (SEND). To support the achievement of this duty the
Council received an allocation of £4.729m High Needs Capital
Provision for 2022/23 and £3.680m for 2023/24, as was
detailed in the December 2022 report. This report updates and
re-aligns these budgets to support the continuing need. The Council
awaits a further DfE announcement in Spring 2024 in relation to
funding allocation for 2024/25.
 
This report provides an update
on the progress of existing projects to meet demand for SEND places
as well as setting out the Council’s approach to consultation
and the proposals for the High Needs Capital Provision Grant. All
proposals are at the budget estimate stage and will be met from
within the grant allocation available.