Minutes:
Question
Whilst I acknowledge that the Borough does not have enough spaces for SEND pupils, I am not satisfied that this extension meets the SEND needs that the Council currently has let alone builds in any growth for the future.
There is also a problem for Woodley and Whitegates’ residents with it being a further encroachment on the SULV (Site of Urban Landscape Value) that exists between the towns of Woodley and Earley.
However schools are now seeing pupils with more special needs and disabilities than ever before with some needs that cannot currently be catered for within the Borough.
The budget for providing for these children is massively overspent every year reported as being in excess of £1 million currently much of this because ‘out of Borough’ provision is very expensive. It can be very upsetting for both pupils and parents when children are unable to live near to or at home.
When is this administration going to address the real problem and come up with a complete solution for our children with SEND that is cost effective?
Answer
As you know I am a Woodley resident myself and I am fully aware of the issues and concerns which this raises so I accept that the decision to expand the Addington School is a sensitive one to local residents. The Officers’ report setting out the educational arguments is persuasive in our view since expanding will enable the education of 50 additional children within the Borough. The Officers’ report on the proposed expansion was not a development control report but did refer to the planning application which will need to be resolved through the normal decision making process for all development control. I know the Lead Member of this area is well briefed on the issues as are the relevant Planning Officers who will need to advise on the proposed works in the normal way before the Planning Committee decides.
We are about to start a wide consultation on a new SEND strategy which I hope all Members will encourage a strong response. A key benefit of that proposed strategy will be to try and increase the provision for SEND children within the Borough; wherever we can.
Supplementary question
I think you will find that it is more than one or two residents Shahid it is a considerable number of residents of both Woodley and Whitegates’ wards that back on to that SULV.
I am delighted, it makes my heart sing, to see that you are looking at a wider proposition for SEND pupils. As Chairman of Governors of two of our local primary schools we see more and more children with special needs; some which should not be in mainstream education. We cannot handle them but there is nowhere for them to go.
My question is please will you, as this is an absolutely non-political area, work together across all parties to make sure that we make the best provision in our Borough for the children not only in our Borough but if we have got spare places for children from elsewhere?
Supplementary answer
I can give you the assurance that yes we will. There is a consultation on SEND and we will expect a wider response from all Members.