a)    The spend of £495,000 of Basic Need Grant be approved to deliver the additional highways-related works required as part of the Aylestone School expansion; and

b)    Authority be delegated to the Service Director for Education, Skills and Learning, to take all operational decisions necessary to complete these works.

1.              Do nothing - Not delivering the required access improvements would leave the scheme unable to satisfy Highways requirements. The Local Highway Authority has been clear that without a formalised internal loop and drop-off/pick-up area, the proposal presents an unacceptable highway safety risk and could not be supported. This option would therefore jeopardise planning consent and prevent the school expansion from proceeding.
This option is rejected.

2.              Fund works from within the existing project budget - Absorbing £495,000 of unplanned highways works would require removing key educational accommodation from the main scheme, undermining the project objectives and the original Cabinet approval in February 2023. This option is not viable.

3.              Request that the school contributes to costs - Schools do not hold capital balances capable of meeting costs of this scale for statutory highways mitigation.
This option is not viable.