That:

(a)  funding of up to £300k be approved from the capital budget allocated to Marlbrook school to fund the works necessary to create an additional classroom for use by the school in September 2018;

(b)  Greencroft ceases to be used as a Multi-Agency Office (MAO) area from 1 March 2018, and

(c)  the director for children’s wellbeing be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above works, including the appointment of a contractor.

1.    No capital investment is made. Additional places for 30 children in reception could not be accommodated at Marlbrook in September 2018. The children would have to be accommodated at another school in South Wye, Hereford. For a number of years there have been more children whose parents have requested a place at Marlbrook than there are places available at the school. While there are other schools in the area that might accommodate these children there are not sufficient places in the appropriate year groups to enable this and parental preference over a number of years has been for places at Marlbrook. There are also indications of a longer term need for places.

2.    Provide a permanent build to make Marlbrook a full three form entry school accommodating 630 children. Whilst this may be the long term solution, agreed under the schools capital investment strategy, there is insufficient time to implement this for September 2018.

3.    Another mobile could be installed to provide an additional classroom. This would not enable any works to be done to assist with pressures on nursery places at the school, which would be addressed as part of the interim works. The siting of a mobile would also not be considered best value, as it would only be in place for one year, before it is disposed of. The interim solution will continue to be used as the main nursery area for the school even after the extension has been built.

4.    The MAO continues to operate from Greencroft. There is insufficient space in the entire Greencroft building (including children’s centre) to provide the required facilities and services. There is already a private nursery operating from the site; the school need additional classroom and nursery space and there is an agreement for some children’s centre services to continue to operate from the building. There is also a concern that non-DBS checked staff could mix with potentially vulnerable children.