Decision details

The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of People (previously circulated) requesting the release of £184,335 of childcare capital expansion funding, £267,245 of Section 106 funding and £59,000 of High Needs Capital Funding.

The submitted report outlined the background to the receipt of £184,435, as part of the national childcare funding package announced by the Government and the subsequent allocation of that funding in accordance with the criteria, following the submission of a number of bids from a wide range of providers; the background to the receipt of two Section 106 contributions for additional primary places in the West End of Darlington and the proposal to allocate that funding to the Federation of Abbey Schools Academy Trust; and the need to release the High Needs Capital Funding to enable improvements to be made at both Hummersknott Academy and Marchbank Free School to improve specialist facilities for pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

It was reported that all of the projects would be undertaken in line with the Council’s Corporate Capital Process Procedures and that all projects would be grant funded with the schools managing the projects.

RESOLVED – (a) That the release of the full allocation of £184,335 of the childcare expansion funding, as detailed in the submitted report, be approved.

(b) That the release of £267,245 of Section 106 funding for works at the Federation of Abbey Schools Academy Trust, as detailed in the submitted report, be approved.

(c) That the release of £21,000 of High Needs Capital Funding for EHCP adaptations at Hummersknott Academy, as detailed in the submitted report, be approved.

(d) That the release of £38,000 of High Needs Capital Funding for EHCP adaptations at Marchbank Free School, as detailed in the submitted report, be approved.

REASON – To release funding which will allow the educational settings to enhance their educational facilities, targeting capital investment in the areas identified as greatest need.