Purpose

Cabinet is recommended
to:

(1)  
Approve that financial
resources are allocated to the Schools Capital
Programme.
 

(2)  
Delegate authority to finalise the programme, begin
procurement and award contracts to the Corporate Director -
Property and Delivery in consultation with the Portfolio Lead
Member and senior officers.
 

Content

Cabinet:

(1)           
approved the allocation of the available resources of £60.61m
to the Schools Capital Programme to financial year end 2026/27, as
outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, and for this funding to be
made available to deliver the projects identified in Appendix 2 and
Appendix 3 to the report;

(2)           
noted the total resource of £43.79m currently committed
against projects previously approved by Cabinet and by delegated
authority, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report;

(3)           
delegated authority to finalise this programme, within identified
financial resources, to the Strategic Director of People,in
consultation with the Portfolio Lead Member for Children and Young
People and the Strategic Director of Resources; and

(4)           
delegated authority to the Corporate Director – Property and
Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead Member for
Children and Young People and Strategic Director of Resources:

§  
to proceed with the procurement of projects and
maintenance and improvement works included in the programme,
subject to Strategic Commissioning Board approval; and

§  
to award contracts provided they are within the
resources available in the Schools Capital Programme to meet such
commitments.
 

OPTIONS & ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

It is a statutory obligation for the Council to ensure that enough
school places of the appropriate type are available within the
borough. Schools are selected for inclusion in programmes of work
where delivery of a project is more likely to be achievable
economically and with fewer risks combined with determined best
educational outcomes. This report relates to confirmed need and
known demands up until 2027.  It is
possible that demand after this period will require new provision
and proposals will be developed should this need materialise.

The available financial resources of £60.61m identified in
Appendix 1, are proposed to be prioritised on projects to meet the
growing demand for SEND/Alternative Provision facilities, potential
future secondary need and to continue a planned maintenance
programme in the financial years 2025/26 and 2026/27 as School
Condition Allocation Funding for these years has not yet been
confirmed by the DfE. 

Should the Council fail to invest in creating mainstream places,
SEND/Alternative Provision accommodation, or to develop its planned
maintenance programme across the school estate, it risks not
meeting its statutory duty to provide enough safe and suitable
school places for all of its young residents.