Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for the approach and criteria for meeting the temporary school place need and seeks outline approval for a programme of projects to deliver the school places required for September 2014.  Approval to start the procurement of a works contractor/s in line with the requirements of the programme is also requested. This report is presented to the Executive ahead of a revised strategy for school place planning which will be presented to the March meeting of Executive.  This report therefore deals with immediate plans for meeting need in September 2014 rather than the overall strategy for school expansion. 

(i)         that the current and future school place demand and projected shortfall of primary school places for 2014-15, as described in paragraphs 3.1-3.25 be noted;

(ii)        that approval be given to the approach and criteria for the provision of temporary school places outlined in this report, as described in paragraphs 3.26-3.33;

(iii)       that approval be given to the potential programme of projects to provide temporary school places to meet projected demand for September 2014 including capital allocation (as described in paragraphs 3.34-3.43 and appendix 4) and note that officers will further define the programme (in consultation with the Lead Members for Regeneration and Growth and Children & Families) without returning to the Executive except where required by the Constitution;

(iv)       that the use of delegated authority to use council building/s identified in the temporary school expansion programme be noted;

(v)        that approval be given to the grant of an exemption from the requirements of Contract Standing Orders for the Executive to approve the pre-tender considerations for a High Value procurement before a procurement starts, to allow officers to place an advert and invite expressions of interest before the Executive approves the pre-tender considerations at its meeting in March;

(vi)       that it be noted that a revised strategy for the permanent primary school expansion programme will be presented to the March 2014 Executive meeting.

Councillor Pavey (Lead Member, Children and Families) introduced the report which sought approval for the approach and criteria for meeting the temporary school place needs and sought outline approval for a programme of projects to deliver the school places required for September 2014.  Approval to start the procurement of a works contractor/s in line with the requirements of the programme was also requested. Councillor Pavey was pleased to report that all late applicants for reception places had now been offered school places, however, the challenge of providing places was relentless and increasing. The problem was borough wide and the strategy had to be reviewed.

Councillor Crane (Lead Member, Regeneration and Major Projects) referred to the Greater London Authority need based forecast and the council’s intention to match supply with projected demand for September 2014. He commended to members proposals for those temporary expansions which had the support of headteachers and school governors.  Detailed discussions would continue. Councillor Moher commended the expansion work to date acknowledging that it would become increasingly difficult to get support for change. Councillor Crane drew attention to the provisions of the Education Act 2006 and the School Organisation Regulations which allowed local authorities to propose an enlargement without the prior consent of the school governing body.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the current and future school place demand and projected shortfall of primary school places for 2014-15, as described in paragraphs 3.1-3.25 of the report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth, be noted;

(ii)        that approval be given to the approach and criteria for the provision of temporary school places outlined in the report, as described in paragraphs 3.26-3.33 of the report;

(iii)       that approval be given to the potential programme of projects to provide temporary school places to meet projected demand for September 2014 including capital allocation (as described in paragraphs 3.34-3.43 and appendix 4) and note that officers would further define the programme (in consultation with the Lead Members for Regeneration and Major Projects and Children and Families) without returning to the Executive except where required by the Constitution;

(iv)       that the use of delegated authority to use council building/s identified in the temporary school expansion programme be noted;

(v)        that approval be given to the grant of an exemption from the requirements of Contract Standing Orders for the Executive to approve the pre-tender considerations for a High Value procurement before a procurement starts, to allow officers to place an advert and invite expressions of interest before the Executive approves the pre-tender considerations at its meeting in March;

(vi)       that it be noted that a revised strategy for the permanent primary school expansion programme will be presented to the March 2014 Executive.