Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of informal and formal consultation undertaken by the Governing Board of Islamia Primary School (IPS) in relation to the school’s proposed relocation to the Gwenneth Rickus site on Brentfield Road as a 2 Form Entry (2FE) school from September 2027 for which approval is now being sought.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the representatives received from Jitu Patel (as Chair of the Board of Trustees representing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - Neasden Temple) accompanied by Girish Patel (as a separate Trustee) and Zafar Ashraf (Executive Director - Yusuf Islam Foundation).

In highlighting the position of the Board of Trustees, Jitu Patel outlined their interest in the Gwenneth Rickus site as a key component in their long-term vision for the area along with the representations made in response to the statutory consultation and alternative offer to acquire the site from Brent Council and grant a medium-term lease to Islamia School.  As an alternative, should the decision be made to proceed with the proposed transfer of the site to the Yusuf Islam Foundation the Board of Trustees advised they would be seeking the opportunity, should the site no longer be required in future for educational purposes, for acquisition, subject to the necessary legal consents being obtained.  In seeking a way forward, it was confirmed that the Board of Trustees remained committed to working collaboratively with the Council and the Yusuf Islam Foundation to create a model of co-operation, and to promote and protect faith-based educational provision and community use.

In terms of the position outlined by Zafar Ashraf (on behalf of the Yusuf Islam Foundation), members noted the long running and extensive work undertaken to identify options for future provision of Islamia Primary School (as the only Muslim faith voluntary aided school in the borough) with the proposal, as set out in the report, therefore supported as a viable solution that would meet the needs and approval of key stakeholders.  Whilst aware of issues raised by the Board of Trustees representing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir it was felt that these could be addressed working in collaboration including an invitation for a representative of the Board to join the Schools Governing Body as a Foundation Governor and confirmation that the new premises (subject to approval) would be made available for local community use outside of school hours for which the Foundation would be willing to engage with the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir regarding any needs they may have.

Having sought technical advice and assurance from officers at the meeting regarding the issues raised as part of the representations received and recognising the exhaustive nature of the process undertaken in seeking to identify a suitable site for relocation of the school, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To note the outcome and analysis from the formal consultation.

(2)       To approve the proposal to relocate Islamia Primary School to the Gwenneth Rickus site on Brentfield Road as a 2FE school from 1^st September 2027.

(3)       To note that the Gwenneth Rickus site would be transferred into the name of the Yusuf Islam Foundation, who would be required to hold the site for the benefit of the Islamia Primary School. Further details in terms of ownership would be set out in a Trust Deed. This would ensure that the primary school would be protected  ...  view the full decision text for item 9

Prior to considering the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Jitu Patel (as Chair of the Board of Trustees representing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - Neasden Temple) accompanied by Girish Patel (as a separate Trustee) and Zafar Ashraf (Executive Director - Yusuf Islam Foundation) to the meeting who he advised had requested to speak in advance of the proposals on the relocation of Islamia Primary School being considered by Cabinet.

In highlighting the position of the Board of Trustees representing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple) Jitu Patel, as the first representative to speak, outlined their interest in the Gwenneth Rickus site as a key component in a long-term vision for the area highlighting their status as a leading Hindu organisation which represented all members of the UK Hindu community and which already owned a large part of the surrounding estate including The Swaminarayan School and the ‘Tennis Courts’ which adjoined the Gwenneth Rickus site.  Having highlighted the interest expressed in acquiring the Gwenneth Rickus site, should it become available, over many years Jitu Patel advised the Board of Trustees had therefore been disappointed about the notice provided in relation to the proposed transfer of the site to the Yusuf Islam Foundation.  In light of that, the Board had made detailed representations in response to the statutory consultation along with the submission of an alternative offer to acquire the site from Brent Council and grant a medium-term lease to Islamia School with the Board of Trustees disappointed that despite the representations made these had not been accepted for consideration.  In recognising the strong nature of the relationship established with the leadership of both Brent Council and the Yusuf Islam Foundation, the Board had therefore sought to continue proactively engaging with all parties in a way that sought to respect and acknowledge the obligations and aspirations of each organisation and agree a solution that would represent a favourable outcome for all concerned.

In outlining the Board’s original proposal, Jitu Patel advised that if Cabinet were minded to proceed with the transfer of the site to the Yusuf Islam Foundation, this should at the very least consider as an alternative the inclusion of a mechanism allowing for possible future acquisition of the site by BAPS, should it no longer be required for educational purposes, (subject to the necessary legal consents being obtained).  In seeking a way forward, it was hoped Cabinet would therefore consider deferring a final decision to enable more detailed consideration of the alternative proposal outlined, with it confirmed that the Board of Trustees remained committed to working collaboratively with the Council and the Yusuf Islam Foundation to create a model of co-operation, and to promote and protect faith-based educational provision and community use.

Having thanked Jitu Patel for the representations made on behalf of the Board of Trustees BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple), Councillor Muhammed Butt then welcomed Zafar Ashraf (Executive Director - Yusuf Islam Foundation) to the meeting who he advised had also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9