That:

a)    A feasibility study and RIBA Stage 3 Spatial Co-ordination for Hampton Dene Primary School are commissioned within an approved budget of £81,815 from the 2021/22 high needs provision capital allocation grant; and

b)    The Service Director for Education, Development and Skills be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to deliver the feasibility studies and spatial design within the approved budget of £81,815 including fees.

1.             Do nothing:  this is not recommended as cabinet approved an Herefordshire Capital Investment Strategy 2021-2030 For Specialist Settings Educating Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) (SEN strategy) on 22 April 2021.  The strategy was developed to avoid unnecessary reactive spending on accommodation maintenance, and mitigate the risk of a reduction in the quality of education and a lack of pupil places for SEND children and young people with education health and care plans.  Subject to feasibility studies, the high needs provision capital allocation grant provides the opportunity to undertake work to improve the capacity and learning environment in the special educational needs specialist settings.