Agenda item

In order to facilitate the best possible solution for the new build Copland Community School, this report proposes arrangements to rationalise land ownership, ensure an optimum footprint for the new school buildings, and support the wider regeneration of the area in line with the Wembley Area Action Plan.

(i)   that it be noted that Copland Community School has been approved by the Secretary of State for Education for conversion to an Academy with the ARK as a sponsor;

(ii) that it be noted that Copland Community School is proposed for rebuilding under the Priority Schools Building Programme and that the Education Funding Authority will be responsible for delivery of the new school;

(iii) that approval be given to assist Copland Community School’s Interim Executive Board with removal of the title restriction;

(iv)       that the Council enter into a deed of indemnity with Copland Community School ‘s Interim EB as further explained in Section 6 of the report and the confidential appendix 1

(v)        that agreement be given to the land transfers as outlined in the report and for the Council to seek appropriate approvals from Copland Community School’s Interim Executive Board, the Secretary of State and The Ark Academy as required;

(vi)   that the Council underwrite costs arising from the build of the new school including provision of Furniture Fittings and Equipment & ICT as well as other associated costs together with transitional liabilities of the current school as set out in the confidential appendix 1;

(vii)      that officers work with Copland Community School’s Interim Executive Board, the Ark Academy, the Education Funding Agency (in relation to both conversion issues and the Priority Schools Building Programme) and Secretary of State for Education and Sport England to secure appropriate agreements and consents;

(vii)      that authority be delegated to the Operational Director of Regeneration & Growth (Policy and Projects) in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Operational Director of Children & Families to agree the scope and detailed terms of the land rationalisation proposals outlined in this report.

The report from the Acting Director of Children and Families explained that Copland Community School (CCS), which was currently a foundation school, was scheduled to become a sponsored Academy on 1 September 2014. The school would transfer to ARK Schools (ARK) to operate from a new building anticipated to be completed by September 2016 and at that point the school would expand by an addition one form entry. The report before members proposed arrangements to rationalise land ownership, ensure an optimum footprint for the new school buildings, and support the wider regeneration of the area in line with the Wembley Area Action Plan.

The Executive also had before them an appendix to the report which was not for publication as it contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972: 

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Councillor Pavey (Lead Member, Children and Families) spoke in support of the development proposals and the opportunity to help improve the school which had been through challenging times in the recent past. He acknowledged the concerns raised earlier in the meeting but stated that council would work in partnership with the school’s Interim Executive Board and thereafter with ARK for the benefit of the local community and look forward for brighter future.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth reminded the Executive that the report related to land rationalisation and site ownership and also involved the expansion of the nearby Elsley Primary School. Through leasing the land the freehold would be safeguarded. Funds were required to support the rebuild, provide furniture and fittings and also off site improvements. The style of the frontage would be in accordance with the action plan. The council would make the necessary statutory application for the restrictions on the title of the school to be lifted and he drew members’ attention to the information in the appendix to the report which was not for publication. The Director of Legal and Procurement assured that legal advice would continue to be taken and the Chief Finance Officer added that while it was too early to quantify costs precisely, the council’s interests would be protected.

Members of the Executive spoke in support of the proposals to redevelop the school referring to the importance of teachers playing a positive role, the desire for the school to prosper for the benefit of the children. It was felt the proposals would help address shortage of school places, affordable housing and was an opportunity to regenerate the high road. Views were expressed that members had the responsibility to make difficult decisions and a new school building for Copland Community School was a priority and long overdue. Further consultation would take place as part of the planning process.

RESOLVED:

(i)      that it be noted that Copland Community School has been approved by the Secretary of State for Education for conversion to an Academy with the ARK as a sponsor;

(ii)     that it be noted that Copland Community School was proposed for rebuilding under the Priority Schools Building Programme and that the Education Funding Authority will be responsible for delivery of the new school;

(iii)    that approval be given to assist Copland Community School’s Interim Executive Board with removal of the title restriction;

(iv)    that the Council enter into a deed of indemnity with Copland Community School ‘s Interim EB as further explained in Section 6 of the report and the confidential appendix 1;

(v)     that agreement be given to the land transfers as outlined in the report and for the Council to seek appropriate approvals from Copland Community School’s Interim Executive Board, the Secretary of State and The Ark Academy as required;

(vi)    that the Council underwrite costs arising from the build of the new school including provision of Furniture Fittings and Equipment and ICT as well as other associated costs together with transitional liabilities of the current school as set out in the confidential appendix 1;

(vii)   that officers work with Copland Community School’s Interim Executive Board, the Ark Academy, the Education Funding Agency (in relation to both conversion issues and the Priority Schools Building Programme) and Secretary of State for Education and Sport England to secure appropriate agreements and consents;

(viii)  that authority be delegated to the Operational Director of Regeneration and Growth (Policy and Projects) in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Operational Director of Children and Families to agree the scope and detailed terms of the land rationalisation proposals outlined in this report.