The council was successful in applying for a new government funded special free school to be established in Herefordshire. A competitive process is being undertaken to select the promoter for the new school, managed by the council in partnership with the Department for Education.

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.

It is recommended that the management of the construction project be undertaken by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), rather than Herefordshire Council in order to minimise any financial risk to the council.

It is further recommended that cabinet approves the retention of that part of the Broadlands Primary School site not required for the new school for other education purposes or for development subject to future decisions being taken, including ensuring that full access is available to the retained area(s).