Issue - meetings

In line with the School Place Planning Strategy approved by Cabinet in October 2014, the proposal to permanently expand Stonebridge Primary School by one form of entry (1FE) has been put forward by the governing body in partnership with Brent Council.  This report informs the Cabinet of the outcome of the statutory consultations on the proposals to alter Stonebridge Primary School through permanent expansion from September 2015 and recommends that the statutory proposals to expand the school be approved.

(i)         that approval be given to the permanent expansion of Stonebridge Primary School, a community school, by one form of entry from September 2015, (conditional upon the grant of full planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by September 2015 or at such date as agreed by the Strategic Director of Children and Young People and the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth);

(ii)        that it be noted that the reason for approving the alterations was to provide sufficient permanent primary school places in line with the council’s statutory duties and its School Place Planning Strategy 2014.

Councillor Moher (Lead Member, Children and Young People) reminded the Cabinet that in line with the School Place Planning Strategy approved by Cabinet in October 2014, the proposal to permanently expand Stonebridge Primary School by one form of entry (1FE) had been put forward by the governing body in partnership with Brent Council. The report before members informed the Cabinet of the outcome of the statutory consultations on the proposals to alter Stonebridge Primary School through permanent expansion from September 2015 and recommended that the statutory proposals to expand the school be approved.

Councillor Moher put that there was a desperate need for permanent school places and it was anticipated that approximately 800 late Reception applications would be received between the closing date in January 2015 and the end of the academic year in July 2015. Councillor outlined the result of the consultation and it was noted that the majority of responses were about the Stonebridge Adventure Playground. Councillor McLennan (Lead Member, Regeneration and Housing) drew members’ attention to the timetable should the project be approved.

Councillor Pavey referred to the economies of scale of larger schools and the possibility of an additional school to be provided by the property developers Quintain. The Leader of the Council acknowledged that the council was in a difficult position having a statutory obligation to provide school places, wanting to improve standards and achieve the best outcomes.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the permanent expansion of Stonebridge Primary School, a community school, by one form of entry from September 2015, (conditional upon the grant of full planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by September 2015 or at such date as agreed by the Strategic Director of Children and Young People and the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth);

(ii)        that it be noted that the reason for approving the alterations was to provide sufficient permanent primary school places in line with the council’s statutory duties and its School Place Planning Strategy 2014.