To consider the outcomes of the Herefordshire Capital Investment Strategy 2021-2030 For Specialist Settings Educating Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities SEND consultation and to determine any recommendations to the executive, which may enhance the effectiveness of the plans.

(Mr Andy James fulfilled the role of a witness and had no vote on this item.)

The committee considered a report from the cabinet member children and families concerning the Herefordshire Capital Investment Strategy 2021-2030 For Specialist Settings Educating Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities SEND. The head of additional needs and the schools capital investment adviser introduced the report.

Mr James spoke as a witness and read aloud a statement from the Westfield Governing Body. He requested that the feasibility study covers 2-16 and 16-19 age ranges and that it is not limited to 2-16 before the consultation concerning the future of the sixth form at Westfield School was undertaken.  The wording in the strategy document suggested that the decision had already been made.

The schools capital investment adviser provided detail concerning the proposals in the report concerning the Westfield School and the process undertaken to develop the proposals.  She explained that the feasibility study needed to be conducted urgently to avoid losing the funding set aside for this purpose by the Council.  She stated that there would be a need to re-apply for funding for the feasibility study if there were to be further delay of the project when everyone agrees that improved facilities are desperately needed. The schools capital investment adviser further explained that the recommendation described in the strategy is based on the information available to date and that officers are recommending a 2-16 age range but the consultation concerning the future of the sixth form at Westfield School will further inform the decision.

Councillor Trish Marsh as the member for Leominster South spoke as the local member to the Westfield School. Support was expressed for the request that the feasibility study covers 2-16 and 16-19 age ranges and that it is not limited to 2-16 before the consultation concerning the future of the sixth form at Westfield School was undertaken.

The schools capital investment adviser explained that it had been already agreed with Westfield School governing body that the age range in the title to the feasibility study (i.e. 2-16 yrs) would be removed and the consultation on the sixth form provision undertaken once the final strategy had been agreed and published.

During the debate the committee raised the following points:

·         The fire risk assessment that had been undertaken at Westfield School.

·         The lack of detail in the report concerning the change to the age ranges in title of the Westfield School feasibility study.

·         The suitability of the current buildings at Westfield School and the restricted nature of the site.

·         A recommendation that the capital strategy clarifies that the feasibility study would cover the current full age-range at Westfield and that the consultation regarding the future of the sixth form centre would be separate.  Both will inform the final Council decision.

·         Detail in the strategy concerning the educational provision for children with autism and a recommendation that further detail is presented to the committee at a later date following discussion with the representatives from the local branch of the National Autistic Society.

Mr James left the meeting at 3.22 p.m.

The cabinet member children and families explained that the strategy was for improvements across the whole of the county covering all types of provision for specialist needs.

Councillor Carole Gandy proposed and Councillor Phillip Howells seconded the recommendations below which were put to the vote and agreed by the committee.

RESOLVED: That the committee supports the strategy but recommends:

·         That the strategy clarifies that the outcomes of the 6^th form consultation for Westfield school will inform the scope of the feasibility study; and

·         Requests that further detail is presented to a future meeting of increasing provision offered for children with autism.

It was proposed by Councillor Carole Gandy that the remaining business on the agenda be deferred until a later meeting date, to be confirmed. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Paul Andrews and agreed by the committee.

RESOLVED: That the remaining business on the agenda is deferred to a later meeting date, to be confirmed.