Issue - meetings

To received and consider the Growth Fund update report.

Piers Brunning submitted a report, set out on Agenda pages 31 to 35, which gave an update on the Growth Fund which existed to fund or part-fund the planned expansion of school places in response to rising demand.

The report stated that planned spend in 2019/20 included the expansion of six maintained primary schools, three established primary Academy/Free Schools, one Free Secondary School and pre-opening payments for three new primary schools.

Piers stated that there was currently pressure for places at Key Stage 2 and that pressure for places at Key Stage 1 had reduced. The aim was to limit, as much as possible, the number of families travelling across the Borough to get their children to school.

In the ensuing discussion, members of the Forum made the following points:

·           The Schools Block Budget report on the Agenda indicated a reduction of 211 primary school pupils. At the same time the Council was proposing to open new primary schools with potential capacity of 600.

·           It was clear that population distribution was changing in light of the extensive new house building. Providing new school places in development areas whilst protecting existing schools would be a difficult challenge with potentially unforeseen consequences.

·           Jim Leivers referred to the earlier discussion on the need for a strategic discussion on the future of primary provision across the Borough.

·           It would be important to engage with all WBC Members in discussing future primary school provision not just those Members in the new housing development areas.

·           It would be useful for the Forum to receive improved data about in-year numbers and trends for primary schools in order to inform the discussion. Piers confirmed that this was achievable.

·           The potential major housing development at Grazeley would have significant demand implications. However, if proceeding, it was unlikely to materialise until 2030.

·           Ginny Rhodes stated that, in spite of repeated requests, schools were still waiting for data on school admission preferences. Jim Leivers confirmed that the data would be circulated as quickly as possible. 

RESOLVED That:

1)     the Forum notes that the Growth Fund position is unchanged from the previous report to the Forum on 10 July 2019;

2)     the Forum notes that the likely need to carry forward any positive balance from 2019/20 to 2020/21;

3)     the Forum notes that, subject to any carry forward, the current draft budget indicates that growth needs can be met within the expected £800k Growth Budget;

4)     the Forum receive further information on in-year numbers and trends for primary school places;

5)     schools receive information on school admission preferences as a matter of urgency;

6)     the Forum give further consideration to the process for engaging with elected Members on the future provision of primary school places across the Borough.