Decision details

To approve the annual update of the Plan that describes the latest forecasts of pupil numbers and the capital strategy to deliver the necessary school places.

RESOLVED that:

1.    the School Places Plan 2018-23 attached as Appendix A of the Director of Children, Young People and Learnings report be approved.

2.    the School Capacity Strategy 2018-23 set out in the Director of Children, Young People and Learnings report be approved.

3.    the potential impact on school place requirements arising from the proposed level of housing growth set out in the Draft  Local Plan covering the period up to 2034 is noted.

1.    The Council has the statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.

2.    The SPP and SCS are the essential tools employed by the Council to meet this duty.  These were last approved by the Executive in January 2017, and have been updated again to reflect the current revised potential requirements for new school places to 2023.

3.    Demand for pupil places arising from the proposed housing growth levels set out in the emerging Local Plan up to 2034 will further increase the need for new school places.

1.    It is business critical to undertake pupil forecasting to ensure the Council meets its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.  The SPP provides the vehicle to communicate these forecasts and the SCS the strategy of where and when to deliver the new school places required.  New school places are delivered through the education capital programme by construction of new schools and school expansion projects, or can be directly funded through the DfE Free Schools Programme.    

2.    Options for delivery of the School Capacity Strategy are set out in the body of the Director of Children, Young People and Learnings report.  

None

Through discussion at meetings and comments on draft papers.