Agenda item

(Report of the Director of Children’s Services to be introduced  by the Cabinet Member for Children): The Cabinet will be asked to approve proposals to expand Belmont Infant and Belmont Junior schools.  A previous report was withdrawn from the agenda at the Cabinet meeting held on the 10^th July. This was withdrawn to  allow for further consideration to be given, to issues raised by local stakeholders following the publication of that report before a decision was taken. Report to follow

Prior to considering this report the Leader  referred to the Local Government Act 1972 Section 100b  which advised that  Cabinet  can consider late reports under special urgency.  The report was late to allow necessary information to be included responding to the issues raised in respect of the earlier report to Cabinet on 10 July which was withdrawn. The Leader advised that a special Cabinet meeting was promptly organised on the following day, 11 July, to consider this report   and the date notified to both deputation parties.  The report was published on 13^th July, following the completion of responses to the representations made regarding the earlier report.

The proposals being considered were the expansion of Belmont Infant School and Belmont Junior school from two to three form entry, to take effect from September 2013 at Belmont Infant School and September 2016 at Belmont Junior school.

 The Cabinet Member for Children introduced the report and explained that the council had a statutory duty to provide local places for children at schools; the council had a duty to serve the community and ensure school places were available.   The Cabinet Member for Children had considered the options and believed that expansion of Belmont Infant and Junior school was the best option and planning permission would be sought in January 2013 for the expansion to allow an additional reception class to be available by September 2013.  Although parents of both schools had set out their objections to the expansion,   consideration was given to the positive impact of the expansion as well as the mitigating actions that could be taken to counter against any access issues of Vale Special School students to Belmont whilst the changes took place. With expansion there will follow more money, a larger SLT and an opportunity for greater specialisms and diversity in the management of and delivery of the curriculum and to address the very special and individual needs of The Vale pupils, as well as of all the pupils generally.  The indicative designs allowed for greater access between sites and should the expansion be agreed, the Vale pupils would be a key consideration when the final plans are drawn up.

An application from Harris to open a Free School in Tottenham has progressed to the next stage. Two reception classes are planned and a site has not yet been identified.  Even with the potential opening of this school there was still a need to provide places in West Green/Tottenham area.   Therefore these factors were considered together with the objections of parents and it was felt that there was a need to meet the needs of all families living in the area and build and expand the school.

Following Cabinet Member questions, the following clarifications were made: 

·        That the £3.5m would enable expansion,

·        There was a waiting list for the infant school but not the junior school the proposed expansion would not lead the school to lose money.

·        Following application on the admissions criteria there would be more places available to children that live in the vicinity of Belmont Infant and Junior schools.

Assurance was further given that the particular needs of the disabled children attending Belmont Infant and Junior schools from the Vale Special School had been taken into consideration when compiling the proposals for the expansion.  The EQIA reflected the work undertaken and in particular there had been engagement with the families of the children about plans.   The Cabinet Member for Children reiterated that there would be a careful plan compiled which would set out what would happen each day for disabled children attending the school when the expansion commenced.  The design would accommodate the needs of disabled children moving around the school and the team working on the expansion had previous experience of designing similar schools.

The Director for Children’s service gave assurance to the Cabinet that the building would be designed within budget and in a suitable space.  The service was confident in its school place planning predictions and places at the school were expected to be filled making the schools more financially viable as they expanded.

The factors supporting the expansion of Belmont Infant and Primary schools were: that it was an outstanding school, there was room for expansion and it was in an area where places were needed.  Parents were again invited to participate in discussions about the design.

Having carefully read the report including all the appendices and having carefully taken into account representations received throughout the consultation process, including  the evening’s deputation , and, having due regard to  council’s public sector equality duty, the Leader asked  Cabinet to approve the proposals set out in the report subject to the grant of planning of permission. The permission, if granted, be obtained by 15 January 2013.

The Leader further reminded the Cabinet that the reasons for this decision were set out in the report in that there was a need for expansion to accommodate the demand for additional school places. This school fitted the criteria for expansion despite the objections and concerns raised as it was a popular school with proven and increasing demand. The school is outstanding and successful and able to meet all the requirements for expansion and meets the Council's school place planning principles.

 Following a Cabinet Member vote the following resolutions were made:

RESOLVED

1. That the feedback from the consultations carried out in respect of the proposed expansion of Belmont Infant School and Belmont Junior School be noted.

2. That the analysis of other factors including the provision of and demand for reception places across Haringey and, in particular, in and around West Green ward that is set out both in this report and set out in detail in the School Place Planning Report 2012  be noted.

3. Having considered the findings of the consultation and objections attached at Appendices 9, 10, 11,12,16,17 and 22, and the Equality Impact Assessment attached at Appendix 7, the recommendation without modification (in line with Para. 4.74 of the DfE guidance) that Belmont Infant and Belmont Junior Schools are expanded from 2 forms of entry (56/60 places) to 3 forms of entry (84/90 places) with effect from the reception intake in September 2013 be agreed.  This approval was conditional on the granting of any planning permission required as a result of the expansion works that may or may not be required under the relevant planning legislation, any such planning permission to be obtained by 15 January 2013.

4. That an increase in the estimated cost of the expansion scheme from £2.2m, within the currently approved Capital Programme for 2013-2015, to £3.5m be approved.

5. That it be noted the design of how the additional form of entry will be delivered on site has not been finalised and will be the subject of ongoing further consultation with the school community, including its Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Governors. 

That it is noted in accordance  with Paragraph 4.77 of the guidance  that 'all decisions must give reasons for the decision, irrespective of whether the proposals were rejected or approved, indicating the main factors/criteria for the decision', and the reasons were set out in the report and were referred to by the Leader immediately prior to putting the resolutions to a vote (There was a need for expansion to accommodate the demand for additional school places. This school fitted the criteria for expansion despite the objections and concerns raised as it was a popular school with proven and increasing demand. The school is outstanding and successful and able to meet all the requirements for expansion and meets the Council's school place planning principles.)