Cabinet has previously agreed in principle to provide part of the former site of Broadlands Primary School to enable the creation of a new post 16 special school, to be created and funded through the government’s free school programme. This report confirms that the council will provide the site to enable the new school building to be constructed.

The cabinet member young people and children’s wellbeing introduced the report. It was noted that it was a priority for the council to develop education and learning opportunities for young people aged 16 plus with learning difficulties.

In response to a question from the leader of the Green group it was confirmed that officers were engaged in discussions with the ESFA about the specification of the new building and had been pleasantly surprised at the standard of accommodation proposed. The council would have its usual powers as the local planning authority to impose conditions on the design and construction of the building.

The leader of the Its Our County group read out comments from the ward member, who was unable to attend the meeting. The ward member had not received any comments from parents objecting to the proposal and supported the objectives. She was aware of the good provision at the nursery currently on the site and had had several discussions with the director regarding the proposals.

The cabinet member young people and children’s wellbeing reminded councillors that corporate parenting responsibilities related to children in care, some of whom may benefit from this new provision and not all children who may attend this new school.

That:

(a)  the director for children’s wellbeing be authorised to agree heads of terms between the council and the Education and Skills Agency (ESFA) (on behalf of the Secretary of State) for the construction of a building to accommodate the new 16-19 Local Authority Commissioned SEN School

(b)  subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Education to the appointment of a provider to:

a.    agree that part of the land identified at appendix 1 be approved for use by the appointed provider for a period of up to 125 years,

b.    the director for children’s wellbeing, following consultation with the solicitor to the council and chief finance officer, be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to make the site available, including the agreement of a lease of up to 125 years for part of the former Broadlands site (as shown on the plan at appendix 1) of an area sufficient for a special school of 50 pupils to the successful promoter, the area being no less than 1 hectare as recommended in DfE Building Bulletin 104 – “Area Guidelines for SEND and Alternative Provision”, the remaining land to remain in the ownership of the council

(c)  the ESFA be requested to deliver the building project at its own risk with funding provided by the Secretary of State.