Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Services.

The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Services (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to releasing the 2023/24 School Condition Allocation of £156,595 for the schools’ summer works programme 2024; 2023/24 Devolved Formula  Capital of £42,136 to the maintained schools; £360,000 of High Needs Capital Funding to refurbish the former Haughton Children’s Centre as a sixth form centre for Beaumont Hill; and £35,000 of High Needs Capital Funding to remodel the Heathfield Primary Special Educational Needs (SEN) resource base.

The submitted stated that the 2023/24 School Condition Allocation (SCA) funding would be used for works including, electrical and mechanical surveys and works identified as a priority and any urgent works arising; Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) was a formula-based grant provided to all maintained schools to help support their ongoing capital needs; High Needs Capital Funding would be used to create a new sixth form centre for Beaumont Hill Academy in the old Haughton Children’s Centre, which would free up 30 additional much needed secondary SEND places, following refurbishment of the vacant space, in the main school; and the High Needs Capital Funding would be used to remodel the Heathfield Primary SEN resource base, to provide an environment suitable to meet the increased numbers from 16 to 24 at the SEN resource base.  It was reported that all projects would be managed in line with the Corporate Capital Process procedures.

RESOLVED – (a)  That the 2023/24 School Condition Allocation of £156,595, be formally released, to support the 2024 maintained schools’ summer works programme.

(b)  That the 2023/24 Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) of £42,136, be formally released.

(c)  That £360,000 of High Needs Capital Funding, be formally released, for Beaumont Hill Academy.

(d)  That £35,000 of High Needs Capital Funding, be formally released, for Heathfield Primary School.

REASONS  -  (a)  Release of the School Condition Allocation and Devolved Formula Capital will enable capital investment to be undertaken in the areas identified with the greatest need, in terms of asset management priorities.

(b)  Release of the High Needs Capital funding will create 30 additional secondary SEND places at Beaumont Hill Academy and eight places at Heathfield Primary School to meet the increased local demand for specialist provision.