Agenda item

In a report to Cabinet in January 2015, Officers advised that revised pupil projection data was expected from the Greater London Authority in early 2015 and that this would be reviewed in detail against local data to make sensible projections of demand for school places in the 2015/16 academic year.  Officers committed to report back to Cabinet with the outcome of that review and with proposals for the provision of sufficient school places for approval if required. The report was also to include a review of corporate buildings currently in use for education purposes and the requirements for that to continue or otherwise. 

(i)         that the projected demand for primary school places in 2015/16 alongside the planned capacity be noted:

(ii)        that approval be given to the 2015/16 Temporary School Expansion Programme as described in paragraphs 3.9-3.12;

(iii)       that approve be given to the budget of £2.148m for the 2015/16 Temporary School Expansion Programme to be met from secured Basic Need Funding within the Schools Capital Portfolio;

(iv)       that approval the continued use of council buildings to meet the required number of school places across the borough as described in paragraphs 3.15-3.16 and to delegate authority for the Operational Director – Property & Projects to enter into necessary licences for use with the managing schools.

The joint report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth and the Strategic Director of Children and Young People sought approval from Cabinet for the 2015/16 Temporary Expansion Programme and use of annexe buildings in order to meet the council’s statutory duty for the provision of sufficient school places for 2015/16 academic year.

With the consent of the Chair, Mr Philip Bromberg (Save Preston Library) addressed the meeting and questioned the inclusion of the former Preston Library premises in the council’s Property Disposals Programme which he felt was incompatible with its current use a community library. He reminded the Cabinet of the list of activities provided to which had recently been added holiday reading and a cinema. Mr Bromberg stated that visitor numbers had increased, there were at least 40 active volunteers and the community library was carrying out a number of activities formerly the responsibility of the council which accorded with council policy. Mr Bromberg acknowledged reference in the report to future school use of the site taking into account local aspiration for the community library to continue in some way however felt there was a need for a clear direction from the council on sharing the site particularly as the licence to occupy expired on 31 July 2015. He called on the Cabinet to confirm the value their work and, as a result, declare support.

Mr Kaushik Bhattacharya, a local independent film maker, addressed the Cabinet and outlined recent film events hosted by the Community Library one of which was a documentary film on Brent in association with the British Film Institute, all of which been shown to full houses and well received. He felt this demonstrated the importance of the service to all the community. Mr  Bhattacharya outlined proposed uses of an investment grant and plans to use alternative premises while building works were in progress. He encouraged Cabinet members to join the film club so as to observe its value at first hand and referred to the potential significant loss should the library have to be relocated or close.

The Chair consented to a submission from Mr Mel Hacker (local resident) who took issue with reference in the report to ‘Preston Road Library’ and to it being an annexe and pop up facility.  Mr Hacker reminded the Cabinet that Preston Library had been in existence since 1964 and used by the whole community. He put that the Community Library was a fully fledged service providing a wide range of facilities with 653 visits since April.

Councillor Pavey (Deputy Leader, in the Chair) responded to the concerns from members of the public and reiterated that the council’s priorities were school places. With the Community Asset Transfer programme it would work with the community to revitalise underused buildings. He assured that no decisions on the future of the community library site would be taken until July 2017 apart from finding school places for 60 children. He welcomed the use of the premises as cinema.

Councillor Mashari (Lead Member, Employment and Skills) emphasised the extent to which the members and officers had engaged with the Preston Community Library supporters including personal visits to the premises however promises could not be made to one community group outside of due process. Furthermore, it had always been made clear that the priority should be for school places.

Councillor McLennan (Lead Member, Housing and Development) in  introducing the report, drew attention to the outcome of a review of GLA pupil projection data and projected need for school places. She confirmed that the indications in the report relating to property disposal had been superseded and that the approval had been given to an extension of the lease to the Community Library until July 2017. Councillor Moher (Lead Member, Children and Young People) referred to the projected number of primary pupils against capacity for 2015-16 which was currently 2.3% instead of the recommended 5% and regretted the necessity to use temporary classrooms with little prospect of improvement in the near future.

Councillor Pavey reconfirmed that school places were the priority however the reference in the report at 3.16, section 5, third paragraph, to disposal of the former Preston Library site to fund investment was inaccurate. He clarified that it should instead state ‘The property is currently identified as being surplus to operational requirements from 2016/17.  Approval of the proposal to extend the school use until July 2017 will clearly mean that this will not be the case, with the impact being that there is no prospect of the building being disposed of either under Community Asset Transfer or for a commercial lease, until 2017/18.’

Councillor Denselow (Lead Member, Stronger Communities) acknowledged the proximity of the deadline for the extension of the lease for Preston Road Community Library and trusted they would receive assurances.

Gail Tolley (Strategic Director, Children and Young People) referred to the future pressure on secondary places as the primary school children move through the system and the reliance that would placed on Free Schools. Councillor Moher drew attention to the proposals to expand Byron Court and Oakington Manor primary schools which would now not be ready for September 2015.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the projected demand for primary school places in 2015/16 alongside the planned capacity be noted;

(ii)        that approval be given to the 2015/16 Temporary School Expansion Programme as described in paragraphs 3.9-3.12 of the report from the Strategic Directors Children and Young People and Regeneration and Growth;

(iii)       that approval be given to the budget of £2.148m for the 2015/16 Temporary School Expansion Programme to be met from secured Basic Need Funding within the Schools Capital Portfolio;

(iv)       that approval be given to the continued use of council buildings to meet the required number of school places across the borough as described in paragraphs 3.15-3.16 of the report and to delegate authority for the Operational Director, Property and Projects to enter into necessary licences for use with the managing schools.