Issue - meetings

Report ED15055

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report providing an update on feasibility work undertaken at Beacon House to identify the range of works required to deliver the proposed Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 alternative provision, and outlining the timetable for refurbishment.

Burwood School was a school for male pupils aged 11-16 years who had been identified as having social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  The Local Authority had purchased Beacon House, a light office and manufacturing facility in central Bromley that had previously been used to deliver an alternative education provision in July 2014.  It was proposed to relocate part of Burwood School’s offer to a new high quality in-Borough alternative provision at Beacon House which would deliver a wide variety of vocational courses at Key Stage 4 and 5 to both male and female pupils identified as having social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  In Autumn 2014, the Local Authority had commissioned consultants to review the facilities at Beacon House.  This review had identified a range of works needed to deliver the proposed alternative provision to the required standard, and set out a draft timetable for the refurbishment, which was expected be completed for the start of the 2016/17 academic year.

A report outlining proposals for the use of unspent Dedicated Schools Grant had been considered at the meeting of the Schools’ Forum on 15^th January 2015, and the Schools’ Forum had supported proposals to utilise a proportion of unspent Dedicated Schools Grant towards the purchase and refurbishment of Beacon House. 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Agree the outline scheme proposals and cost estimate and recommend  the scheme to the Council’s Executive and Full Council for admission to the Local Authority’s Capital Programme;

2)  Agree the continuation of design development to the stage where a planning application can be submitted for approval whilst the Council’s Executive and Full Council approval is obtained; and,

3)  Authorise the Executive Director: Education, Care and Health Services to submit a planning application for the scheme at the appropriate time.