Issue - meetings

That:

1)        authority to determine the decision on the creation of the St Crispins Autism unit for high performing children from 1 September 2017 be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children’s Services;

2)         the following also be agreed:

a)        a permanent entry from Rances Lane to a new car park on the school site, when required to support school expansion;

b)        future capital investment from 2018/19 to complete the Autism unit in a timely manner;

c)         the allocation of section 106 receipts required to fund the ‘St Crispin’s - New Autistic Spectrum Disorder Unit and Sixth Form block’ as approved in the medium term financial plan for 2016/17.

The Executive considered a report relating to the proposal for the development of a new Special Education Needs (SEN) Resource unit for high performing children with autism at St Crispins School.

Members were advised by the Executive Member for Children’s Services that the proposed unit would be of great benefit to the intended students as currently a large number of them were unable to access suitable education in the Borough and therefore had to travel further afield.  If the unit was approved this would mean that their travelling times would be reduced and there would be the ability for them to be educated with their local peers.

Councillor Haitham Taylor advised that the unit would cater for up to 25 pupils and there was already a building earmarked at St Crispins that could be adapted and utilised for this purpose.  Currently the 6^th form occupied the building but the proposal was to move them into another building which would allow for the 6^th form to be expanded at a later date if required.   The proposal was also for a separate access into the school via Rances Lane.

RESOLVED That:

1)        authority to determine the decision on the creation of the St Crispins Autism unit for high performing children from 1 September 2017 be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children’s Services;

2)         the following also be agreed:

a)        a permanent entry from Rances Lane to a new car park on the school site, when required to support school expansion;

b)        future capital investment from 2018/19 to complete the Autism unit in a timely manner;

c)         the allocation of section 106 receipts required to fund the ‘St Crispin’s - New Autistic Spectrum Disorder Unit and Sixth Form block’ as approved in the medium term financial plan for 2016/17.